Acknowledging Children That You Bring To The Marriage
Not everyone includes this in their ceremony, however many couples like to acknowledge children they bring to the marriage. Here are some examples. All wording can be tailored to fit your desires. Feel free to “mix &match”
Examples of including children. You may use one option, or combine a couple of options to fit your desires.
Option 1. A simple sentence acknowledgement
This moment in time is truly a cause for joyous celebration for we are gathered here to witness not only the beginning of a new marriage, but also the beginning of a new family with (child/children’s names)
Option 2
Often marriage is viewed as the union of two people. Yet marriages not only unite the couple, it unites the families. With the changing structure of what a family is in today's world we are offered unique and wonderful opportunities to simply increase the number of loving caring relationships we have in our lives. Bride and Groom would like to take this moment to recognize the significant role that ___, ____ (say children’s names) play in this marriage celebrated today. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
Examples of including children. You may use one option, or combine a couple of options to fit your desires.
Option 1. A simple sentence acknowledgement
This moment in time is truly a cause for joyous celebration for we are gathered here to witness not only the beginning of a new marriage, but also the beginning of a new family with (child/children’s names)
Option 2
Often marriage is viewed as the union of two people. Yet marriages not only unite the couple, it unites the families. With the changing structure of what a family is in today's world we are offered unique and wonderful opportunities to simply increase the number of loving caring relationships we have in our lives. Bride and Groom would like to take this moment to recognize the significant role that ___, ____ (say children’s names) play in this marriage celebrated today. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
Option 3
This moment in time is truly a cause for joyous celebration for we are gathered here to witness not only the beginning of a new marriage, but also the beginning of a new family.
Bride and Groom, would like to take this moment to recognize the significant role that (**say children’s names) _____, ______, and ______, play in this marriage celebrated today, by presenting them each with a gift.
From this day forth, you shall be more than one couple or two individuals – you shall be a loving and united family. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
Option 4. Include children’s name in prayer (nice to add onto one of the other options as well):
God, We pray that you guide _______ and ________ as parents to raise and teach (child/children’s names) with love and respect; and that you protect this new family and keep them always in your care..."
Option 5. Include children (this can be good if you already have children together-but it does also work if you are both bringing children to the marriage)
____ and ___ prior to this moment you each walked a separate path. Now you shall embark together on a shared path. Yet the journey is not yours alone, for you have
already been blessed with a beautiful (Daughter/Son or Children), (Children’s names here) and it is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together as a family.
Let us say a prayer of blessing upon this new marriage.
Heavenly Father, we pray that you guide _____ and ___ as parents to raise and teach (Children’s names) with love and respect; and that you protect this family and keep them always in your care. You have kindled in their hearts the fire of a divine love. Will you keep it aflame upon the alter of their souls. Will you make the inward aspirations of their hearts the outward reality of their home. Will you make that home a place of light and truth, a place of beauty, a place of joy and happiness all the days of their lives. Amen.
This moment in time is truly a cause for joyous celebration for we are gathered here to witness not only the beginning of a new marriage, but also the beginning of a new family.
Bride and Groom, would like to take this moment to recognize the significant role that (**say children’s names) _____, ______, and ______, play in this marriage celebrated today, by presenting them each with a gift.
From this day forth, you shall be more than one couple or two individuals – you shall be a loving and united family. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
Option 4. Include children’s name in prayer (nice to add onto one of the other options as well):
God, We pray that you guide _______ and ________ as parents to raise and teach (child/children’s names) with love and respect; and that you protect this new family and keep them always in your care..."
Option 5. Include children (this can be good if you already have children together-but it does also work if you are both bringing children to the marriage)
____ and ___ prior to this moment you each walked a separate path. Now you shall embark together on a shared path. Yet the journey is not yours alone, for you have
already been blessed with a beautiful (Daughter/Son or Children), (Children’s names here) and it is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together as a family.
Let us say a prayer of blessing upon this new marriage.
Heavenly Father, we pray that you guide _____ and ___ as parents to raise and teach (Children’s names) with love and respect; and that you protect this family and keep them always in your care. You have kindled in their hearts the fire of a divine love. Will you keep it aflame upon the alter of their souls. Will you make the inward aspirations of their hearts the outward reality of their home. Will you make that home a place of light and truth, a place of beauty, a place of joy and happiness all the days of their lives. Amen.
Option 6. Acknowledgement of children by name and include a poem if you like.
_____ and ___you have just made a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other, yet the journey is not yours alone, for you have been blessed with beautiful children, and it is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together as a family. Bride and Groom would like to take this moment to recognize the significant role that ___, ____ (say children’s names) play in this marriage celebrated today. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
(***You could also add a sand ceremony or unity candle ceremony here and officiant read poem as family mixes sand/lights candle-just let me know and I will supply sample wording for you)
I would like to share a poem that has been chosen by ____ and ____ for this special moment
What is a Family?"
Author Unknown
A family is .....
The sweetest feelings
The warmest hugs
Trust and togetherness
Unconditional love
The stories of our lives written on the same page
The nicest memories anyone has ever made
Treasured photos
Thankful tears
Hearts overflowing with all the years
Being there for one another
Supporting and caring
Understanding, Helping, Sharing
Walking life's path together
And making the journey more beautiful because .....
We are a family.....And a family
is Love.
Option 7. Sand Ceremony wording to Include Children
Officiant:
Often marriage is viewed as the union of two people. Yet marriages not only unite the couple, it unites the families. Out of these two families a new family will be created, thus offering unique and wonderful opportunities to simply increase the number of loving caring relationships we have in our lives.
___ and _____ would like to invite (Say all Children's Names) to join them in a unity family sand ceremony
(Everyone gathers around or on the sides of the table, they do not want to have their backs to the guests)
Officiant to family: Each one of you has a container of sand. This sand represent your individual selves and the unique and special gifts you bring to this family.
Please take turns pouring your sand into the unity container
As each individuals sand is poured into the family's one united container it represents the joining of two families united in love. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will become the bond with your family. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
*You may want to include this poem read by the Officiant as everyone is pouring their sand
I would like to share a poem that _____ and ___ have chosen for this special day (this is optional)
What is a Family?" (Author Unknown)
A family is .....
The sweetest feelings
The warmest hugs
Trust and togetherness
Unconditional love
The stories of our lives written on the same page
The nicest memories anyone has ever made
Treasured photos
Thankful tears
Hearts overflowing with all the years
Being there for one another
Supporting and caring
Understanding, Helping, Sharing
Walking life's path together
And making the journey more beautiful because .....
We are a family.....And a family
is Love.
(We all walk back to our spots)
Option 8 - Sand Ceremony to Include Children
Officiant:
We are all members of one family, Gods family. (This line is optional) Today as (brides name) and (grooms name) have sealed their commitment to each other with the exchange of rings they to make a commitment to their children.
We recognize the significant role that (all of children's names) play in this marriage celebrated today. They will now join (bride) and (groom) in this commitment to each other by contribution a part of each individual person into one blended family.
(Family gathers around the table)
Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of this sand, each representing a member. As each individuals sand is poured into the family's one united container, the individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will become the bond with your family
From this day forth, you shall be more than one couple or two individuals – you shall be a loving and united family.You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
You may choose to have the officiant read a poem while everyone pours their sand. Here is an example of one about family. Remember you may choose any poem you like.
What is a Family?"
Author Unknown
A family is .....
The sweetest feelings
The warmest hugs
Trust and togetherness
Unconditional love
The stories of our lives written on the same page
The nicest memories anyone has ever made
Treasured photos
Thankful tears
Hearts overflowing with all the years
Being there for one another
Supporting and caring
Understanding, Helping, Sharing
Walking life's path together
And making the journey more beautiful because .....
We are a family.....And a family
is Love.
Option 9. Include children in a unity candle ceremony
Officiant: Light is the essence of our existence. Each one of us possesses an inner glow that represents our hopes, our dreams and aspirations in life.
This center candle symbolizes the union of your lives, families, and friends, as well as your shining commitment to each other.
The lighting of the center candle represents not only the union of Bride____ and Groom_____ in marriage, but the unity formed in this new family in which your lives will now shine as one family. Bride____, Groom_____, Child_____, Child_____.
Each candles flame represents your lives before this day, individual, unique and special. Please take the candle symbolizing your life before today, and together light the center candle to symbolize the union of your individual lives. Each flame will help to make the family even brighter and stronger.
(As Bride____, Groom_____, Child and Child_____ light the unity candle with their tapered candles the Officiant will say):
As you light this candle today, may the brightness of the flame shine throughout your lives. May it give you courage and reassurance in darkness, warmth and safety in the cold, and strength and joy in your bodies, minds, and spirits. May your union be forever blessed.
(Everyone moves back to their place)
Option 10. Acknowledgment of children with a flower ritual
(There will be a table with a vase, a flower for each parent and each child will be laying on the table)
Officiant:
_____ and ___ today you are making life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other, yet the journey is not yours alone, for you have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, and it is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together as a family. ___ and _____ would like to take this moment to recognize the significant role that (say all the children’s names) plays in this marriage celebrated today.
Officiant to the children: will you please join your parents around the table.
(The family stand behind the table, they do not want to have their backs to the guests)
On the table are three single flowers that represent ___, _____, and (say all the children’s names). These flowers symbolize your individual selves and the unique and special gifts that you each bring to this family. I invite you to each take a flower and place them together into a single vase.
Together all the flowers will make a bouquet which symbolizes the wonder and beauty of the birth of this new family. _____ and ___, as you make your vows to each other, with the promise of love and companionship for one another; will you also do the same for (say all the children’s names)? Will you pledge to cherish her/him/them, encourage her/him/them and make your home a place where there is love, friendship and laughter?
Bride and Groom say: We will
(Everyone goes back to their places to continue the ceremony)
Option 11. Include Children in A Unity Paint Ceremony
Marriage is often viewed as the union of two people. However marriages not only unite the couple, it unites the families. Out of these two families a new family will be created, thus offering them unique and wonderful opportunities to simply increase the number of loving caring relationships that they have in their lives.
_____ and ___recognize the significant role that (Say all the children’s names) plays in this marriage cerebrated today. They would like to invite (him/her/them) to join them in a unity family paint ceremony.
(Family members gather around the table)
Every marriage starts out as a blank canvas and every day is a splash of color.
This blank canvas represents the day of the wedding, the beginning of a new marriage and the beginning of a new family.
Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of this paint.
Please take turns pouring your paint on the canvass.
(As the family members pour their paint the Officiant will say):
As each individual’s color is blended together it represents the joining of two families united in love.
There will be places on the canvass where the colors stand out alone and independent symbolizing your unique and individual selves.
There will also be places on the canvas where the colors blend and mix, flowing together, creating a new color of experiences shared.
This beautiful painting will be in your home as a reminder of this wonderful day and the love you share. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
(There will be a table with a vase, a flower for each parent and each child will be laying on the table)
Officiant:
_____ and ___ today you are making life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other, yet the journey is not yours alone, for you have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, and it is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together as a family. ___ and _____ would like to take this moment to recognize the significant role that (say all the children’s names) plays in this marriage celebrated today.
Officiant to the children: will you please join your parents around the table.
(The family stand behind the table, they do not want to have their backs to the guests)
On the table are three single flowers that represent ___, _____, and (say all the children’s names). These flowers symbolize your individual selves and the unique and special gifts that you each bring to this family. I invite you to each take a flower and place them together into a single vase.
Together all the flowers will make a bouquet which symbolizes the wonder and beauty of the birth of this new family. _____ and ___, as you make your vows to each other, with the promise of love and companionship for one another; will you also do the same for (say all the children’s names)? Will you pledge to cherish her/him/them, encourage her/him/them and make your home a place where there is love, friendship and laughter?
Bride and Groom say: We will
(Everyone goes back to their places to continue the ceremony)
Option 11. Include Children in A Unity Paint Ceremony
Marriage is often viewed as the union of two people. However marriages not only unite the couple, it unites the families. Out of these two families a new family will be created, thus offering them unique and wonderful opportunities to simply increase the number of loving caring relationships that they have in their lives.
_____ and ___recognize the significant role that (Say all the children’s names) plays in this marriage cerebrated today. They would like to invite (him/her/them) to join them in a unity family paint ceremony.
(Family members gather around the table)
Every marriage starts out as a blank canvas and every day is a splash of color.
This blank canvas represents the day of the wedding, the beginning of a new marriage and the beginning of a new family.
Today, this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of this paint.
Please take turns pouring your paint on the canvass.
(As the family members pour their paint the Officiant will say):
As each individual’s color is blended together it represents the joining of two families united in love.
There will be places on the canvass where the colors stand out alone and independent symbolizing your unique and individual selves.
There will also be places on the canvas where the colors blend and mix, flowing together, creating a new color of experiences shared.
This beautiful painting will be in your home as a reminder of this wonderful day and the love you share. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.
Option 12. Include the children in your pledge or vows
Officiant: Now I would like to invite _____ and ___ to exchange vows today for their future as a couple and a family.
_____, I promise to be a good and faithful partner to you, and also a patient, loving father to (Say children's names) caring for and providing for them as my own. I promise to be their strength and their emotional support, loving them with all my heart forever.”
___, I promise to be a good and faithful partner to you, and also a patient, loving mother to (Say children's names), caring for and providing for them as my own. I promise to be their strength and their emotional support, loving them with all my heart forever.”
“As an important part of a loving blended family do (Say all the children's names) promise to love and respect your parents and the lifetime commitment that they have made this day? Do you promise to support their relationship and this new family? Do you promise to accept the responsibility of being their children, and to do everything in your power to help this family to grow and thrive over time? If this is your intention please answer now “We do.”
Children: “We Do.
Option 13. Ring or jewelry ceremony for children:
Officiant:
Often marriage is viewed as the union of two people. Yet marriages not only unite the couple, it unites the families. With the changing structure of what a family is in today's world we are offered unique and wonderful
opportunities to simply increase the number of loving caring relationships we have in our lives.
During a wedding ceremony rings are exchanged with a promise. It is the promise of a safe haven free from judgment that offers unconditional love and support under any and all circumstances.Therefore, _____ and _____ thought it appropriate that (say children's names) should also receive a token of their promise to him/her/them this day. They wanted to find a way to let him/her/them know special they are and how blessed they feel to be his/her/their parents.
They also wanted (Say children's names) to have a physical reminder for the future that as he/she/they grows and becomes a young adult.
The ring is presented to the child .
Option 14 - Add mention children in the benediction
_____ and ___ prior to this moment you each walked a separate path. Now you shall embark together on a shared path. Yet the journey is not yours alone, for you have already been blessed with a beautiful daughter/son, (Say children’s names)___ and it is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together as a family. May the sacred winds whisper joy into your life. May you take delight in each other for all your days. You are forever changed from this day forward. May this fire of love kindle your passions for each other throughout all your years. May your love rise anew, an eternal flame to light the day. May you grow old together and share a happy home.
Or personalize your ceremony with what your family is! "Your family is blended and diverse, nutty, loving and understanding"
For beach ceremonies an exchange of lei's or flower garland is beautiful and fun. See examples here: Exchange of Lei/Flower Garland
_____ and ___ prior to this moment you each walked a separate path. Now you shall embark together on a shared path. Yet the journey is not yours alone, for you have already been blessed with a beautiful daughter/son, (Say children’s names)___ and it is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together as a family. May the sacred winds whisper joy into your life. May you take delight in each other for all your days. You are forever changed from this day forward. May this fire of love kindle your passions for each other throughout all your years. May your love rise anew, an eternal flame to light the day. May you grow old together and share a happy home.
Or personalize your ceremony with what your family is! "Your family is blended and diverse, nutty, loving and understanding"
For beach ceremonies an exchange of lei's or flower garland is beautiful and fun. See examples here: Exchange of Lei/Flower Garland
