How to Get Guests Involved in Your Wedding Ceremony (Because Your People Deserve a Starring Role, Too!)

Planning a wedding near Omaha, Nebraska? Whether you're tying the knot with views of rolling farmland, under a canopy of trees, or inside a glass chapel like ours, one thing is certain: you’re surrounded by people who love and support you. So why not give them a front-row seat and even a few speaking roles?

As a wedding venue owner, I’ve seen firsthand how weaving guests into the ceremony makes the entire day feel warmer, more personal, and way more memorable. If you're the kind of couple who wants your wedding to feel like a heartfelt celebration with your people, not just in front of them, this post is for you.

Here are some of our favorite ways to involve your guests in your wedding ceremony, including some uniquely suited to our Midwest couples getting married near Omaha.

1. Invite a Friend or Family Member to Officiate

Let’s start with a big one: the officiant. This is one of the most meaningful roles in your wedding ceremony, and many couples are now asking a close friend or family member to lead the proceedings.

Here in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area, we’ve seen everything from siblings cracking jokes mid-vows to grandparents reading heartfelt blessings. It adds such a personal touch - plus, no one knows your love story like someone who’s been there for the whole ride.

Pro Tip: If someone special is officiating, make sure to help them prepare. Share your ceremony vision, offer a structure or outline, and maybe do a quick run-through at rehearsal to calm any nerves.

2. Ask a Loved One to Do a Reading

Including a reading is a beautiful way to honor a guest who may not want to speak off the cuff but would love to contribute. Whether it’s a scripture, a poem, or even a passage from a favorite book (we see you, Tolkien fans), readings can add depth and beauty to your ceremony.

Some great local ideas: Choose a reading that nods to the seasons in the Midwest, like something about new beginnings in spring or the golden glow of fall.

Local Bonus: You can even write your own reading or invite someone to read a piece that reflects your relationship's roots here in Nebraska or Iowa.

3. Include a Group Vow (Cue the Tissues)

This is one of the most moving ways to include everyone in your ceremony.

After you’ve exchanged your personal vows, your officiant can invite all your guests to join in a short, sweet group vow. Something like:

“Do you, the friends and family of this couple, promise to support, encourage, and celebrate them as they walk through life together?”

Your guests can respond with a heartfelt “We do!” It’s a small moment that makes a big emotional impact—and it reminds everyone that your marriage is rooted in community.

4. Try a Ring Warming Ceremony

This tradition is pure magic. A ring warming is when your wedding rings are passed around to your guests before you exchange them. Each person holds the rings for a moment and silently blesses them with love, prayers, or good intentions.

If you’re planning an intimate wedding inside our glass chapel, this works especially well - you can pass the rings down the rows before the vows, or have them on display as guests arrive.

Tip: Place them in a small bag or on a ribbon to keep them safe and secure as they’re passed along. (Or if the idea of passing them around gives you palpitations, just involve your wedding party instead!)

Photo by Tori Bruno Photography

5. Feature Loved Ones in Ceremony Music

Music is one of the most emotional parts of any ceremony, and having a friend or family member sing or play an instrument adds a deeply personal layer.

From acoustic guitarists serenading during the processional to cousins singing your favorite folk song as you walk back down the aisle—there’s something extra-special about live music performed by someone who loves you.

Bonus: It doesn’t have to be professional-level perfect. It just has to be real.

6. Give Guests Roles in a Unity Ceremony

Unity ceremonies are all about symbolism, and your guests can absolutely play a part.

Here are a few ideas we’ve seen work beautifully:

• Community herb planting: Guests each place a sprig of lavender or rosemary in a shared pot to symbolize growth and support.

• Stone blessing: Everyone holds and blesses a stone that you then keep in a jar as a reminder of their support.

• Quilt square signing: Loved ones sign fabric squares that are later stitched into a memory quilt.

  
  

These interactive moments are a wonderful fit for our rustic, nature-inspired setting near Omaha and they create a keepsake you’ll treasure forever.

Photo by Tori Bruno Photography

7. Create a Ceremony Circle (Intimate Wedding Bonus!)

If you’re planning a smaller ceremony, consider setting up your seating in a circle or semi-circle. It’s a beautiful way to create an inclusive feel where guests are literally surrounding you with love.

Our venue’s outdoor ceremony site is perfect for this layout, and it works especially well for elopements or micro weddings. Everyone feels like part of the moment, and you get some amazing photo angles to boot.

Final Thoughts: Make It Yours

At the end of the day, your wedding ceremony should reflect your values, your personalities, and the people who helped shape your journey. Whether you're exchanging vows under midwest skies or inside a chapel, the best moments are the ones filled with connection.

If you're getting married near Omaha and looking for a venue that welcomes creativity, heart, and a whole lot of guest participation, we’d love to show you around. (And maybe cry happy tears at your group vow.)

Ready to plan a wedding ceremony your guests will never forget? Reach out to schedule a tour or get more ideas—we’re here to help make it all happen.