Special Topic Wedding Boards
Cat:Special Topic Wedding Boards
how to include the children
Second Weddings
how to include the children
Making a second (or third) trip down the aisle? Chat with others in the same boat here.
This is my second wedding(bride). I have two young boys. I would like to include something in the ceremony. that our family is joining the grooms(his first). The boys are standing up front with us. i
0
False
Second Weddings
how to include the children
Making a second (or third) trip down the aisle? Chat with others in the same boat here.
This is my second wedding(bride). I have two young boys. I would like to include something in the ceremony. that our family is joining the grooms(his first). The boys are standing up front with us. i
0
Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:35
Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:35Discussion:bd6be95e-caee-47b7-bf86-a60b9ed7d9ce
Forums  >  Special Topic Wedding Boards  >  Second Weddings  >  how to include the children
You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register
 
 1 2 >> Last

how to include the children

posted at 1/15/2011 10:40 AM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
02-16-2008
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL
7477387586489531
Posts: 1
First: 1/15/2011

Last: 1/15/2011


This is my second wedding(bride). I have two young boys. I would like to include something in the ceremony. that our family is joining the grooms(his first). The boys are standing up front with us. i would like to do something with them during the ceremony to join the families.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/15/2011 11:12 AM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
12-30-2008
COLORADO
9414662343738097
Posts: 7963
First: 6/8/2009

Last: 5/15/2012


Hi!  Welcome Heidi.

How old are they?  Standing up with you and your FI should be enough - they are involved in the ceremony as part of the wedding party. 

I'm personally not a fan of the family vows and such.  The wedding is between you and your FI, and the vows are yours - not theirs.  Perhaps you can give them a special gift privately?

Follow Me on Pinterest

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/15/2011 1:02 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
06-27-2010
CONNECTICUT
7272132430122337
Posts: 822
First: 8/1/2010

Last: 3/9/2012


We are doing a sand ceremony to join our family. I have a 5 year old and we thought this would be a great way to include him in a separate way of the ceremony.
We will be doing our own traditional vows and then doing a sand ceremony and presenting him with a family medallion so he feels as though he is a part of our family.
Anniversary Vacation

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/15/2011 1:42 PM EST on theknot.com
*Moderator*
Joined on
12-19-2005
NORTH CAROLINA
210124875002240
Posts: 12509
First: 7/20/2009

Last: 5/15/2012


Parents get so caught up in "including" the kids that they forget how this might appear to the child. Remember that they have another parent, and this sort of thing can be very uncomfortable.

Anyone who is present is "included" in the wedding.
"I'm not crazy. I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years."

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/15/2011 2:42 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
01-21-2010
VIRGINIA
8955997024937259
Posts: 918
First: 11/7/2010

Last: 5/9/2012


Talk to your boys and see what they would like to do. My three (2 girls (18 & 7) and 1 boy (12)) asked to be inolved so we are doing a version of the sand ceremony with an hourglass (http://heirloomhourglass.com/family_unity_sand_ceremony.html). We are also creating a small jar of layered sand before the ceremony for the children to keep with them. My oldest is my maid of honor, my son is walking down the aisle and is a groomsmen, and the baby is one of the flower girl. The children are inviting FH into our family instead of giving me away and the oldest help FH plan the weekend he proposed. That is what they wanted and I think they may be more excited about this than we are.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/15/2011 5:52 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
05-31-2006
ATLANTA
117922125007116
Posts: 1528
First: 7/20/2009

Last: 5/17/2012


Look down in other posts for similar information.  There are several recent posts about including children in the ceremony.

Retread: Is there any way we can make a sticky about a couple of these similar topics? 
Don't mess with the old dogs; age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill! BS and brilliance only come with age and experience.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/15/2011 6:42 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
01-19-2010
DC AREA
7125994988121451
Posts: 6279
First: 1/20/2010

Last: 5/17/2012


In Response to Re: how to include the children:
Look down in other posts for similar information.  There are several recent posts about including children in the ceremony. Retread: Is there any way we can make a sticky about a couple of these similar topics? 
Posted by handfast4me


Dang!  Where is that article from Washingtonian Magazine that I posted on this very topic?

Oops!  Sorry.  Welcome to the board, Heidi!  I'll search for a good article I found a few months ago.  Stay tuned.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/16/2011 11:11 AM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
01-19-2010
DC AREA
7125994988121451
Posts: 6279
First: 1/20/2010

Last: 5/17/2012


http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/weddingguide/3500.html

Here's a link to the article I mentioned.  I only wish I knew how to imbed the entire post, entitled "When kids take part in the wedding ..." posted here on the Second Weddings board back on 10/29/10.  Enjoy!

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/16/2011 11:38 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
03-24-2010
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
7609050286078105
Posts: 1295
First: 3/24/2010

Last: 4/20/2012


Thank you Lisa!  Welcome Heidi!! Congratulations!!  Kids are tricky and it depends on their relationship with the other parent.  It's best to ask them what they would like, if they are old enough to understand what is happening. 

My FI's daughter who will be days away from 18 when we are married; xolunteered to do a reading, will be participating in a sand ceremony and in a private moment between she and I will be receiving a ring that was mine - this was all her choosing.  She does not have a viable relationship with her biological mother.

Our vows are just between my FI and I. 

Sometimes for the child just dressing nice and standing with the parent and the new step-parent is enough.
Wedding Countdown Ticker

Re: how to include the children

posted at 1/19/2011 1:33 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
01-08-2011
5628301189745294
Posts: 1
First: 1/19/2011

Last: 1/19/2011


my fi and myself have 4 children and have decided to get them each a engraved ring that is on a chain to wear as a necklace. they will get these before the cermony. my daughters are brides maids and junior bms and son is our rb we have decided that the cermony will remain traditional with the kids still being part of it 

Re: how to include the children

posted at 4/7/2011 11:17 PM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
03-12-2011
PORTLAND
7931355250022451
Posts: 191
First: 3/17/2011

Last: 3/9/2012


    I think it is best to talk to the children.  Only do things they are comfortable with.  A single parent and their children are a package deal. I've heard of couples having the new step parent give a bracelet or something special to the step child and promising to be good to them.
     For me, our kids are older.  We are having them be a part of the ceremony.  My daughter is my MOH, his son is a groomsman and his daughter is a bridesmaid.  
Katie

Re: how to include the children

posted at 4/7/2011 11:39 PM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
04-04-2011
5414374978242858
Posts: 28
First: 4/5/2011

Last: 5/21/2011


How we are including our children is my two older children are serving as groomsman(son is 18) and junior bridesmaid(daughter is 14) and bith asked if they could seat people too for us as well be for the cermony starts and we agreed.  We have a 5 year old daughter together who wanted to help out like her older siblings and we asked her if she wanted to carry our rings for us and she asked if she could have her teddy bear help as well and we said ok so she is doing that for us.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 4/19/2011 12:30 PM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
03-27-2011
FLORIDAS FIRST COAST
7594368541140869
Posts: 4
First: 4/19/2011

Last: 4/19/2011


My son is 17 years old.  My previous husband passed away in 2001.  I am asking my Son to give me away since my father has already done so.  this only works of course for a certain situation similar to mine (second marriage) - although my fiance has never been married before.

My daughter is 12 and a bridesmaid.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 5/23/2011 8:50 PM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
10-21-2004
NORTHEAST OHIO
328504762505034
Posts: 32
First: 5/23/2011

Last: 2/1/2012


I have two boys 5 and 10 they will be 6 and 11 at time of wedding.  we are doing sand and they are each picking their own color to add to our color.  then we are gatting dog tags that say 'the day we became a family with a wedding date on them.  They are also standing up front also. 

Re: how to include the children

posted at 5/28/2011 11:36 AM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
05-13-2011
SEATTLE
9825408901482420
Posts: 10
First: 5/13/2011

Last: 6/7/2011


I'm getting married in June and my son (6) is gaining a stepdad. He wants to be involved in the wedding as his family is expanding too. His bio-dad will be there so he has all his family there and my son is walking me down the aisle. My fiance and I decided instead of saying both pledges ("I do") and vows (I Heidi, take you...) to each other, our pledges would be about our family and our vows would just between my FI and I.

It will go something like this:

Minister: "Before Bride and Groom exchange their vows to each other, they have special vows for Child.  "
[IChild is called forward]

"This marriage is not only the union of B and G, it is also extending Child's family.  G, do you promise to love Child, to nurture him and to protect him, to teach him and cherish him now and forever?"

Groom: "I do."

Minister: [Similar vows for Bride (mom)]

Minister: "Child, do you promise to love G as your step-dad and do you promise to honor and response your mother and G as a couple and as your parents?"

Child: "I do."

Give special necklace

Re: how to include the children

posted at 6/10/2011 10:49 AM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
04-14-2011
NORTH DAKOTA
7107383688878592
Posts: 2
First: 6/10/2011

Last: 6/10/2011


Wow! Thanks for the insight. I have been trying to think of something unique to include the children in our ceremony, and have never thot of how this would seem to them, because they have a different parent..DUH!! Thank you for your insight!!

Re: how to include the children

posted at 6/30/2011 8:22 PM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
04-13-2011
CENTRAL FLORIDA
8531383224089041
Posts: 19
First: 6/13/2011

Last: 1/29/2012


We both have grown and small children. My FI is a widow and his children are dear to me and mine our to him. We have all talked on what we want and do not want. They know I can never replace their mother and visa-vera with my children. However, all of our children are close and his older son and my daughter even introduce us. This is a happy day for all of us. So we all decided all 9 kids will be in the wedding. We are having a sand ceremony were each of us will vow to be there through all times for one another. Each person will acknowledge and accept this union and the responsibility being a family through the best and worse of times through the sand ceremony. Doing this is not taking any parent or sibling's place; it just to let each other know they except them and want to be apart of their lives.
I personally feel honor the children wants to do this and be apart of each others lives and ours. We are already close, so, this just allows it to be said out loud. Smile

So, I must agree with many of the others when they say it depends on the situation and child. Congrats  and best wishes on your day.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 8/27/2011 5:23 PM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
01-16-2011
UPSTATE NEW YORK
6783307852578311
Posts: 262
First: 2/27/2011

Last: 4/29/2012


My brother is giving my mom away and I will be matron of honor. My husband will also be a groomsmen. My mom's FI will have his friend stand up for him. So the wedding party will be Bride, Groom, MOH, BM, my brother, my husband.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 8/28/2011 12:20 AM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
10-09-2008
CHICAGO
4316591538670015
Posts: 5
First: 8/27/2011

Last: 8/28/2011


Hello, This is my second wedding as well and the vision we are going with is that the grooms children will walk him down and stand with him and when I walk in my son and daughter will be walking me in and will stand with me. My adult son will be giving me away. Both the groom and I have a grandchild and my grand son is going to be my ring bearer and his grand son is going to be his ring bearer. Both of us are in our mid 40;s and we wanted to do something different and out of the box. My Father passed away many years ago. We wanted to include the children without it taking over the wedding but give them some importance  and inclusion in our union. Even though there is another parent as it is common In situations such as separation of a first family, children realize that they may have to share their parent with another person and another family and another life constantly or every other weekend. It is what it is. I think it is important that our children know that we are all on the same page when it comes to them even though we are getting married. we still love them and they are included in the extended family.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 9/7/2011 11:17 AM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
09-21-2010
WEST VIRGINIA
5017206651514470
Posts: 7
First: 9/6/2011

Last: 9/7/2011


This is my second marriage and his first and I have two daughters previously. We are including them by my oldest being a junior bridesmaid and my youngest being the flower girl. They were included in the invitation and we will all be ligjhting the unity candle together as a family.
And out of respect we have informed my exhusband of the plans since he and his wife are invited and luckily we all get along well enough that he was happy with everything.
No need to over think it. Just plan what feels right and it will turn out great.
Wedding Countdown Ticker

Re: how to include the children

posted at 9/15/2011 10:27 PM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
02-11-2011
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
4142330237670209
Posts: 16
First: 9/15/2011

Last: 3/31/2012


My daughter (18) will be playing the flute as I walk down the aisle on my son's (14) arm.  His daughter (14) will stand with him as his "best man" and his other daughter (12) will help with the guestbook.  I will make all the daughters matching dresses and my son will have a vest and tie out of the same fabric.

We are also asking that they all help with entertaining any of our "younger" (children) guests during the reception.  We will have some games, bubbles, and a table covered in paper with crayons.
~Scott & Shelly~ ~4/23/10~We met our soulmates~ ~6/17/10~He popped the big question~ ~10/14/12~We become one flesh~

Re: how to include the children

posted at 9/29/2011 2:18 PM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
08-31-2011
PITTSBURGH
4609503904975366
Posts: 127
First: 9/10/2011

Last: 5/8/2012


I have three kids: 11,6 and 4. All of them are walking me down the aisle. We also are going to do the sand ceremony instead of a unity candle.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 10/1/2011 3:58 AM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
09-18-2011
INDIANA
4870519688407656
Posts: 23
First: 9/29/2011

Last: 4/29/2012


this is a second marriage for us both, i have 2 sons (18 & 15) he has a son (4). My father will be walking me down the isle half way and hand me off to my sons who will give me away to FI. my sons are his best men and his son is our ring bearer. We will be having two seperate ceremonies a sand ceremony for all three of the boys and us then a seperate unity candle for me and him.
Future Mrs.Wilber!

Re: how to include the children

posted at 10/5/2011 2:03 AM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
06-30-2011
DALLAS-FORT WORTH
7545450674666028
Posts: 7
First: 10/5/2011

Last: 10/9/2011


My son is 12 will be 13 he will walk me down the isle and stand w/ my FH and my daughter will be a JB and 7  and stand with me at the front. The vows we have are going to be for just me and my FH but we are then doing a sand ceremony w/ 4 colors for all of us becoming one. My sons father is n and out but will always be his dad. My daughters father is "gone" so my FH is her daddy.. So we felt that including the kiddos and combingin all of us together shows we are our own but we will forver be connected.. (sand)  ... I'm also keeping my last name/sons last name from first marriage and - my new one... My son asked me not to give up my name so my fiance and I talked about it and he knows he's not marrying me or I him for a name.

I actually don't know why anyone wouldnt combine kiddos in a ceremony exp if they are still underage and will be raised in this new family..
I can't wait till I'm his

Re: how to include the children

posted at 10/5/2011 5:52 PM EDT on theknot.com
*Moderator*
Joined on
12-19-2005
NORTH CAROLINA
210124875002240
Posts: 12509
First: 7/20/2009

Last: 5/15/2012


Perhaps because the ADULTS chose to get married, not the kids?

I adored my stepfather, but if I'd suddenly been called up and asked to say "I do" to him, or some such, I'd have been pissed at my mom for springing that on me, and upset because I had a father already.

My gripe is that the parents who do this usually don't even ASK, and have you ever seen one of those ceremonies where it's well-known that the kids don't really like the new stepparent all that much?
"I'm not crazy. I've just been in a very bad mood for 40 years."

Re: how to include the children

posted at 10/8/2011 11:51 AM EDT on theknot.com
Joined on
06-30-2011
DALLAS-FORT WORTH
7545450674666028
Posts: 7
First: 10/5/2011

Last: 10/9/2011


Well I'm sure in a lot of cases that would be awful but my children and I are all about  him and our future together. We enjoy ceremonies and tradition and I think it's really depends apon everyones relationship.  My son has a father who is a drug addict alcholic who is about 50,000 bucks in debt w/ his cs between his children. He has 6 w/ 4 different moms... My daughers father has been in prison rightfully so since she was two and she only remembers the bad night. He will be gone for as long as I can make sure of...  SO me finally finding a man that I thought was worthy of being in my childrens lives has had to earn it and so we are going to celebrate the fact that just because they are not by blood his and that my children come fom mixed relatioinships we can call promise to love each other and protect each other and that where their fathers have failed he not only promises to be true to me but more importantly my kiddos... Soon to be ours......
I can't wait till I'm his

Re: how to include the children

posted at 10/16/2011 7:04 PM EDT on weddings.com
Joined on
09-01-2011
TENNESSEE
4780504880642525
Posts: 4
First: 10/12/2011

Last: 10/16/2011


We have decided to do a family unity candle. My kids adore my fiance and since he doesn't have any of his own HE came up with this idea. We went to Hobby Lobby and all selected different colors of wax(it comes in bags like sand). We got a wick and a gorgeous glass vase to hold the candle. Instead of lighting a unity candle or doing the sand, we are all going to pour our wax into the vase together and then he and I will light it. That to us will simbolize our family becoming one. Plus the kids are standing up with us, my daughter is one of my bridesmaids and my 2 sons are groomsmen. It's YOUR day and YOU do what YOU want to do!! Congrats!

Re: how to include the children

posted at 11/8/2011 12:38 AM EST on weddings.com
Joined on
11-07-2011
CHICAGO
8182563051843121
Posts: 1
First: 11/8/2011

Last: 11/8/2011


This is technically my 3rd but no kids 1st one, his 2nd. I have a 10 yr old son, he has a 19 yr old daughter, 18 yr old son and 16 yr old daughter. And we have another son on the way (due 30 days after the wedding).  We are having a small ceremony/reception. His 19 yr old daughter will be my maid of honor and his 16 yr old daughter will be my bridesmaid. His son will be best man and I think my son is going to be a groomsman (still deciding that). The kids all agreed.
We are not including them in the actual vows. But each of them will get a Claddagh necklace to symbolize our bond as a family. My fiance and I are opting for Claddagh wedding bands too. I also opted not to get an engagement ring but instead will get a family ring made after the baby is born.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 11/17/2011 12:11 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
11-13-2011
KANSAS CITY
9159568245424451
Posts: 50
First: 11/17/2011

Last: 5/16/2012


This will be the first (and only, haha!) marriage for both me and my fiancee. He however has a 7-year-old daughter (that I have been around for 3 years so far) that will be 9 when we get married. We have not decided what we will exactly do at our ceremony, but we do know we want his daughter included. Her mother is not very active in her life, and she had a very rough/neglectful home life when she used to live with her bio-mom. She calls me mom all the time and is so happy and excited that me and her dad are getting married. Her mother has 2 children with someone else and my FI's daughter was always the "outcast" in that family and treated differently than the other kids (something we have discovered from her abuse/neglect counselor that she talks about a lot in therapy), so we definitely wanted a small part of the ceremony to include her and talk about becoming a family. We DID ask her about it, and she is extremely excited to be involved and is always talking about the wedding. I know that my FI and I's vows are about us, but I am also not just marrying him, but his daughter too, and will have an immediate family. It's really important to the both of us that she be included.

Re: how to include the children

posted at 12/8/2011 9:39 PM EST on theknot.com
Joined on
10-04-2011
CONNECTICUT
7998533385505546
Posts: 5
First: 12/4/2011

Last: 12/8/2011


This is my fiance's and my first marraige. We are both dedicated to eachother and to my daughter. My daughter will be 4when we get married and my Fiance has known her since she was 3months old. He and I have known eachother since age 12.

My daughter's father is not a part of her life for various reasons. Though member's of his family are. My fiance wants everyone in all three families involved (his, mine, and bio-father's) to know, hear, and see that he intends to give my daughter everything he would give her if she were his by birth. I'm not sure she will be able to understand it all, and as many people point out the wedding cerimony is for the B&G keeping that in mind, making this promise to her, its for him; he feels that making that promise out loud infront of her family and his is as vital a part of us becoming a family as making a promise to me is. I respect and admire that about him.

He feels so strongly about this that when he proposed to me and gave me my ring, he gave her ear-rings and asked if she would let him be her dad, again I'm not sure she really understood but it was important to him to ask, and knowing that helps me to really know he really is the one.

 1 2 >> Last

Forums > Special Topic Wedding Boards > Second Weddings > how to include the children

My Viewing Preferences

Show user signatures
Special thanks to Ariana Frank, QWeddings and Kristen Spencer for our featured Second wedding photos

Local Wedding Vendors, Local Wedding Cake Makers, Local Wedding Florists, Local Wedding Photographers, Local Real Weddings