Ask Them to Officiate

If you’re not doing a religious ceremony and you find yourself thinking about who in your life can serve as your wedding officiant, consider asking your father or father-in-law (or ask them to officiate together). This will make your moment at the altar even more meaningful, especially if either of them loves public speaking or enjoys the spotlight. Officiating is truly an honor that will let them take a forefront role in a very tremendous way.

Plan a Special Dance

The father-daughter dance is a wedding tradition that has existed for years, but if you and your father have a song that you adore (that’s not so traditional), consider planning a choreographed dance to that song. You and your dad can surprise all of the guests with your dance moves and song choice. Plus, it will make for an incredible pre-wedding bonding moment with memories that'll last a lifetime.

Let Them Give a Speech or Toast

While many couples ask their parents to speak during the wedding reception, consider asking your father or father-in-law to make a quick, pop-up toast at your engagement party or rehearsal dinner. This will give them a chance to let out some of the key remarks they’ve probably been brainstorming for years. Try to hand them the microphone once or twice during the wedding adventure, and they’ll appreciate the chance to share their love and well-wishes for you and your fiance.

Do a Private First Look

The day of the wedding can be hectic and filled with back-to-back, last-minute tasks to handle before the party starts. However, you can create a special moment with your with a private first look. After you’ve put on your wedding dress, and before your ceremony begins, find a place where you can exchange hugs with the "dads" and spend a few minutes of quality time. Then, you can dive into the rest of the wedding experience.

Give a Small, Meaningful Gift

Surprise the dads with something thoughtful on your wedding day, whether it’s a handwritten note of appreciation or a small, sweet gift they can cherish for years to come. Perhaps it’s something you can engrave (like cufflinks or a money clip) or something even more sentimental — like a framed photo or a handmade scrapbook of memories from throughout the years.

Think of a Fun Photoshoot

One of the greatest gifts you can give the dads is a special photo from your wedding day that they can keep afterward. Brainstorm some fun photoshoot ideas and coordinate with your wedding planner. Maybe it can be a special area, pose, or even an outfit that you can all pre-plan for the wedding day. This is a great way to capture fun moments that you can all look back on for years to come.

Create a Surprise Shoutout

While your father or father-in-law might give a toast at some point during the wedding, you and your fiance can give the dads a surprise shoutout during the wedding adventure as well. If there’s an opportunity at the engagement party or the rehearsal dinner, share some reasons why you’re grateful for them or announce how much you appreciate all they’ve done for you. This surprise may even bring them to tears.

Incorporate a Family Tradition

Ask your father and father-in-law if there are any family traditions you might not know about. They can be wonderful additions to the wedding! There might be something they remember other family members doing over the years that could be really meaningful to include on the big day, whether it takes place during your ceremony or even at the reception.

Include Them in the Planning

Have upcoming wedding planning dates on the calendar? Think about a few appointments you can invite the dads to. Maybe they’d be interested in doing a food tasting with you and the caterer or even going to the florist to look at the centerpiece designs. Even if you think they wouldn’t want to come, it’s always appreciated to extend the invitation. You never know what part of wedding planning they’d love to be involved in.

Incorporate His Favorite Thing

Think about something that your father or father-in-law adores — whether it’s a favorite food, dessert, drink, color, or song — and find a way to incorporate it into the wedding. It’ll make them feel extra special to see that item during your big day, and it will also make you feel like you’re truly honoring someone you love during your wedding celebration.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: How to Make Your Mother and Future Mother-in-Law Feel Included in Your Wedding Planning, Weddings Are Back! Here Are 7 Ways You Can Make Guests Feel More Comfortable, 10 Common Mistakes Wedding Planners See Brides Make — and How to Avoid Them

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