Incorporating future step children into ceremony...need help!

[lilbuddha]

Hi Ladies,

 

I am looking for some advice on how to incorporate my FI's children into the ceremony.  They are an important part of us becoming a family and the decision to get married. 

 

As it is two of the older boys will be playing the ceremony music on their guitars but I would really like to add all of them into the ceremony similar to vows but maybe not as formal.

 

Any suggestions or creative ideas would be very much appreciated.

 

[4therestofmylife]

have you thought about a sand ceremony?? instead of each of you pouring your own bottle of sand, have his children do his and that could represent the two families coming together as one.

 

or you could choose 1 or 2 poems/ readings that they could share with your guests as part of the ceremony?

[MDLady]

I love that the boys will be playing the ceremony music.  How beautiful.

 

As 4therestofmylife  said, you can have them participate in the sand ceremony or a reading, they can also be part of the wedding party or flower girls/ring bearers.  It really depends on their age and personality.  Some children are shy in front of crowds and others love the spotlight.  How many children are we talking about and what ages?

[murmel]

How old are the boys? After completing your marriage vows, perhaps incorporate a small promise of starting a new family together, and give them a small gift- a ring or necklace to symbolize this promise.

[lilbuddha]

My fiance has 4 children ranging in ages from 16 to 12.  The two middle boys will be playing the musical on their guitars.  The 2 playing the guitars love the spot light while the younger two are not fans of big crowds.  His daughter will be walking down the aisle as a junior bridesmaid. 

 

I really like the idea of vows but think it may be too formal....and not sure how excited the boys will be to get a piece of jewerly.  I figured during the mother son dance I will dance with each of the boys in turn....but still unsure of ceremony....any other ideas of items to give them?

[Thomasjsgirl]

In addition to the sand ceremony, how about having them "escort" the guests to their seats?

[MDLady]

If they are older as you said, they can be groomsmen!  There is nothing cuter than a young groomsman!  I went to a wedding where the groom had a 15yo brother and it was awesome!  He absolutely loved it and you could tell that he was so proud to be part of the wedding!

[adales]

I am in the same situation as you, my FI has three kids aged 16. 13 and 11.  The oldest and youngest are boys so he is having them be his co-best men (this way no feelings were hurt with his friends) and his daughter is one of my bridesmaids.  We are incorporating them into the sand ceremony.  I will have a color, FI will have a color and the kids will share a color ( I felt like 5 colors would be too many).  This way we are representing the joining of a family
 

Originally Posted by lilbuddha 

My fiance has 4 children ranging in ages from 16 to 12.  The two middle boys will be playing the musical on their guitars.  The 2 playing the guitars love the spot light while the younger two are not fans of big crowds.  His daughter will be walking down the aisle as a junior bridesmaid. 

 

I really like the idea of vows but think it may be too formal....and not sure how excited the boys will be to get a piece of jewerly.  I figured during the mother son dance I will dance with each of the boys in turn....but still unsure of ceremony....any other ideas of items to give them?

[TammyWright]

i just went to a wedding and the new step mom made a vow to her step-child to love him always, etc.

[Bryjenbry]

I'm on the same boat... my fiance has an 11 year old son.  He thinks of it as his wedding too lol.  He is the Best Man and we are going to make him part of the sand ceremony as well.  I want to get him a wedding gift but I dont know what to get him...