Flower girls and ring bearers create the ultimate "awe" factor. Nothing is cuter than watching two elementary school aged and younger children walking down the aisle hand in hand. They seem so happy to help out the grown ups and really want to be involved. Sometimes, everyone watching them overwhelms and they cry while walking down the aisle or have absolutely no desire to go down the aisle to begin with. Here are five tips to pump the kids up and make sure they walk down the aisle smiling.

Kids love being involved. Especially between the ages of 3 and 7 they want adults to give them tasks. Inquisitive children learn how by watching and doing, so "Can I help" often gets asked. And by often, every two seconds. Being a part of the wedding party is an excellent opportunity for them to be put to work.

An easy way to get the kids involved, especially the boys who might not be so eager to help with all the girly stuff going around, is to have them help with the wedding party favors. Have them give input on what is their favorite and which they would prefer. Before the wedding, have them help put together the favors. Whether they put the bow on the wrapping paper or assemble the favor, they'll have a sense of accomplishment. You'll spend quality time with your favorite kids and give them something to look forward to on the day. On the wedding day, make sure to tell them to look for the wedding party favors on the tables and reinforce how awesome they look.

For flower girls, to dress up and look like a princess is key. They love to play dress up. Have little girls be more involved in picking out the dress. Instead of choosing the dress for the flower girl, take a day from your busy schedule and make it extra special. Have the girls choose their dress from dresses you've already pre-selected. Giving them a say in the decision-making process makes them feel more of a part of the wedding. The same perk as having them help with wedding party favors applies here: it's a way to create quality time and memories with the girls.

Boys, on the other hand, are trickier. At that age, they want no say in anything girlie or remotely feminine. They need to strongly identify with the "men." So, when it comes to getting the excited about the suit, have them pick out their own tie and suit. Again, the groom should take a special day to spend with the ring bearer and have the ring bearer gives his own input. Making the ring bearer and flower girl feel extra special by asking their opinion will make the actual wedding day more extraordinary to them and you.

On the day of the actual wedding, don't brush them off. Understandably you'll be busy bustling from place to place. But make sure to get down on their eye level and express how grateful you are that they're helping you make your wedding extra special.

If during the ceremony they're afraid to walk down the aisle, the best way to get them to smile and not cry is to let them take something with them down the aisle. A favorite toy, stuffed animal, purse, whatever their security blanket is let them bring it.

Remember that it's better to have a Spiderman plush doll in your wedding pictures than a red-eyed crying toddler.