Whether you're close or not, your stepparents are part of your family. Find out how to navigate difficult conversations, if necessary, and include your stepparents in your wedding.
Last updated February 5, 2024
Every family dynamic is different. Whether your parents are still together, divorced, or remarried, including them and their potential new spouses in your wedding may be on your mind. There are a lot of circumstances to consider—namely your relationship with your stepparent(s). As with so many wedding planning topics, communication is key. There are right and wrong ways to lay out expectations and manage feelings. Here’s how to tackle including your step parent or parents in your wedding.
As we said, communication is key and that communication will largely depend on your relationship with your step-parent(s). You may be close to them—they could have helped raise you—you may be just getting to know them, or you may not know them at all or simply not care for them. Your dynamic can also rely heavily on your relationship (and theirs) with your biological parents. There are these situations and many in between. Here’s a little on how to navigate these more common scenarios:
For some, stepparents fit naturally into wedding planning. For others, that’s not the case. Manage relationships and expectations without losing your cool or hurting feelings by taking each scenario case by case.
Beyond just standard wedding roles, there are a lot of ways to include your stepparents in your ceremony and at your reception. Plus, there are a handful of things to consider to maximize comfort for all parties and dissipate any discomfort.
At the end of the day, those in your family who care and love you will accept the decisions you make when it comes to your wedding day.
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