| How to include children in your wedding ceremony has much to do with the children themselves. Young Flower Girls and Ring Bearers are the most precious little things on two legs. But understand that they are wild cards in the deck, who usually perform pretty close to task with the little deviations in plan being usually well received. |
| Suzanne and Kenneth with their daughters! Married at the Riviera in Massapequa, NY |
| ~ Children's Gift Ceremony ~ "Often marriage is viewed as the union of two persons. Yet marriages not only unite the Bride and the Groom, they unite families. With the changing structure of what a family is in today's world we are offered unique and wonderful opportunities to increase the number of loving caring relationships we have in our lives. During a wedding ceremony rings are exchanged with a promise. Karen and John thought appropriate that their children should also receive a token of their promise to them this day. They wanted to find a way to let them know now how special and wonderful they all are in their own way, and how blessed they feel to be her parents. They also wanted them to have a physical reminder for the future that as they grow and become young men and women in their own rite, that their parents will always support them. There may come times when there are things going on in their lives that they may feel no other human would ever understand, addressing children but there is nothing that any of you can ever say that will not be met with unconditional love. So is the bond of trust that your parents establish with one another, and extend to all of you this day." Children step forward and receive their gift |
| Did I mention that a run through makes kids more comfortable on the big day? Also introducing them to the photographer avoids the "Who's that guy?!" Look |
| ~ Family Sand Ceremony ~ "Gina and Martin, will you now step up to the altar and hold close to your heart the container of sand representing the essence of all that you are and all that you bring to this union. As you do so, embody the grains with all your hopes and dreams for the future. Bring to mind the strength of your promises, the honesty and integrity with which you make them, and all the particles of personality that make you unique and wonderful in one another's eyes." Bride and Groom come to behind the altar and each take their own container of sand in hand Within a marriage each person is both their own and each others. Two individuals choosing to create a new life with endless possibilities and new dreams that are theirs together. Will you now pour the sand that is to represent the foundation of your love which is to support and nurture, your marriage and your family. Bride and Groom intermingle half of their sand Leah, will you join us please? The couple's daughter joins them behind the altar This container, is here to represent you Leah, and your importance. Like colors of the rainbow we're all different and special, valuable, and precious. Therefore it is only fitting that you be shown as an important part of this marriage after all marriage is really about family. So will you please pick up your sand and add it to your mom and dad's. Leah picks up her container of sand and pours Gina and Martin, will you now finish pouring your sand? Bride and Groom pour the rest of their sand into the container "And will you now seal the vessel as a reminder that nothing is more important nor more sacred than the bond that you share as husband wife and family. Leah, do you see where you all are. You are in the center of your mom and dad's hearts, now and forever." And everyone comes back to the front of the altar (Leah was very young so the parts that address her are worded for her to understand. With older children age appropriate wording is usually used) |
| ~ Family Unity Candle ~ "Beth and Kim as a demonstration of your love and support of this marriage, will you now step up to the altar and light candles representing the separate families and family histories that are also today to be joined together as one? Bride and Groom's mothers come behind the altar and light the tapers representing their family then return to their seats Michelle and Alex, will you now come to the altar as Husband and Wife? Bride and Groom step behind the altar The flame that your mothers have lit for you represents more than their blessing alone. It also speaks of the spark of divinity that lives deep within you both. It is a reminder that in marriage it is your higher selves that you are promising to one another and the very best that you have to give always. From every human being there rises a light. When two souls destined for each other, find one another, their streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from the united being. These two candles are symbolic of separate people in their own right. Bride and Groom pick up their tapers By the joining of two candles into one, Bride and Groom light the center candle this symbolizes the strength and the unity of two joining together to become one, depicting Michelle and Alex's belief that together they can become greater than each could be alone. Bride and Groom place the tapers back in their holders, Prior to this moment you each walked a separate path. Now as the Unity Candle symbolizes, you shall embark together on a shared path. Yet the journey is not your alone, for you have already been blessed with three beautiful children, and it is the strength of your love that shall nourish you all together as a family. Joshua, Sandy and Kyle will you join us in lighting the Family candle? Children step up to the altar and together with their parents, they light 'The Family Candle' the shorter pillar that sits in front of the Unity Candle. Leaving the tapers lit they encircle the two center pillars as a sign of support and individuality within the unity of family The past the present and the future are all here, in glowing tribute, as a reminder that there is nothing more sacred than the bond that you all share as a family. (If not including all 3 generations then we just edit to what works) |
| This photo of the Children's Gift Ceremony was taken at the Riviera in Massapequa. For this little boy, his parents anniversary will be forever known to this young man as the day "We" got married! |
| ~ Food and Drink for the Soul ~ Chalice is held up for all to see "The chalice is a symbol of Divine Love, the well spring or vessel of the heart, of rebirth, creation and limitless potentiality Chris and Ron take the chalice They face each other, each with both hands on the chalice Chris, drink of Ron's love and let it touch your heart. Ron gives Chris to drink. Chris drinks, they kiss. Ron, drink of Chris's love and let it resonate through to your soul. Chris gives Ron to drink. Ron drinks, they kiss. By drinking in of the promises that you make this day ensures that neither of you shall ever again thirst for total love, acceptance, understanding or companionship. Now as you hold the chalice in your hands feel how great your love is for these children. Ron and Chris put their feelings into the chalice Nicky, Tina, and Amber, drink of your parents love and know that you are as you have been, a family. They love you more than words can express, and as time goes by remember, you all drink from the same cup. Ron and Chris, still holding chalice together, give Nicky, Tina & Amber to drink, The children drink, Parents kiss them, Couple gives chalice back Bread is held up for all to see Bread is representative of the Earth's bounty. As food nourishes the body, so does love nourish the soul. In this manner so shall each of you be as sustenance to the other. Ron and Chris take the bread They break off a piece of bread and together they feed each other. They kiss, then give each of the children bread and a kiss. Remember now, as you feed each other, you will never again hunger in your heart or in your soul. For families eat from the same plate and if ever one should be lacking the others will have plenty to share." |
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| Vicki and Joe They are now a beautiful family of six and as the Family Unity Candle shows that it takes team work! Photo thanks to "As You Wish" Photography |
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| This was posted by Carolyn Niethammer a Tucson Arazona Officiant, to the American Association of Wedding Officiants. She once had a ceremony that included this reading where three daughters alternated reading sections. "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. |
| This was taken just before she ran back up the aisle, took the Ring Bearer by the hand and brought him down with her. Can't you just see the "Where is he? Oh, let me just go get him!" look on her face? |
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| ~ Including Children ~ |
| ~ New Sibling Vows ~ “Gabriel and Evan, you have always been the most important part of your dad and mom‘s life, and they are so proud of you both. Today they are making a promise to one another. It is a promise that what ever may happen, good or bad, that they will always be there for one another. This promise is also a promise to you. You are already a family. They love you with all their hearts, and no matter how big you get or where life takes you, they want you to know that that‘s forever. Have either of you ever been married before? I‘m going to ask you a very important question now….. Gabriel, do you take Evan to be your brother?” Gabriel: “Yes.” Evan, do you take Gabriel to be your brother?” Evan: “Yes.” “From today on you are officially brothers. May you grow together, play together, share your mom and dad freely with one another, and may God bless your family always.” see video of this |