Any way I can include my step-child in our vows?

Hello! It can be a wonderful touch to include the couple's children in the wedding ceremony. There are some lovely ways to include a child, depending on their age and the wishes of the couple. These can include participating as a flowergirl or pageboy/ring bearer, bridesmaid, groomsman or even chief bridesmaid and best man. Where possible, the child could recite a reading or poetry appropriate to their relationship and love towards the couple, the excitement and pleasure they may feel in the parent or parents joining in marriage. They could also participate in a ritual, such as presenting roses to the couple to exchange with each other or play a role in the tying of the hands ceremony. Usually being technology savvy, a child could also be in charge of the music played at times through the ceremony. It is a beautiful sight to see children, dressed in the theme of the wedding party to take their place upfront with the couple and their attendants. 

thank you for such a great question!

You can include whomever you choose,

Hey, I find that adding children into the ceremony is a really great way to show that the marriage is creating a family. Once your legal vows are said, you can most certainly refer to your step-child, or inorporate them in many different ways. 

There are many lovely ways you can include your stepchildren, or your children in the ceremony

Absolutely - and what a lovely to be inclusive. there are many ways to incorporate others into the vows and the ceremony, happy to answer questions  - Mario - Treasured Ceremonies

It is really very important to include all your children in the service. Your marriage  is not only  the bride & groom but the children (Your family) it is the joining of two families

Absolutely, you can include in the vows.

It's best, that the legal vows are said first, between the couple, to get out of the way, so to speak,

Then, to include and say, your own words of vows to your lovely step child, to make them and yourselves, feel committed to them, with your love and care, in a brand new family, all together as one home!

Cheers,

Angela.

Mary Odgers marriage celebrant

Marriage brings families together and joins them as one! A step-child can certainly be mentioned as part of the vows....eg

"I promise to love you and name of step-child forever"

"Today in front of family and friends ... I promise to support you and step-child always"

A lovely way to include a step-child is for them to give the bride away.....

Always best to be sure that the child feels comfortable in the role that is decided... and when they are.... their excitement will add to the amazement of the day!

Thank you for asking his question!

It's wonderful to include all children in your ceremony and your step-child can play a number of very special roles and be included in your personal vows (the legal vows must remain as required)

I recently had a wonderful groom who wrote his own "vows" for his new step-daughter and presented her with a little gift as part of the ceremony after he had exchanged rings with his new bride.  Not a dry eye in the house...it was such a lovely moment.

I love helping couples write their personal vows and acknowledging the inclusion of your step-child in your promises is a beautiful way of making them feel totally included not only in the ceremony but to reassure them of their place in your life moving forward together as a family.

You could also recite a special verse, poem or words to a song which have personal meaning  just for your new step-child 

Best of luck with you ceremony planning and for a beautiful wedding day

best wishes and kind regards

Robyn Freer

Abby's Way Celebrations.

Of course you can. 

How you involve your step child is really only limited by your imagination.  I have conducted many weddings where there are step children involved and the couple wish to make special mention of them in their vows.  The most common way that I have found so far is where the couple say their vows to each other then, either together or one at a time, they say specialised vows to the child or children.  This direct address to the child will show that they too are a part of this ceremony and that they too are cherished and loved and the promises made include them very much.

As well, you can involve the child in other ways, as part of the bridal party, or being involved in an internal ceremony within the main ceremony such as a sand ceremony or hand binding etc where they take an actual part as well.  They may even be asked to say a reading or be the ring bearer.

If you have other questions at all regarding this, please get in touch as I would love to help you.

I wish you well with your wedding planning.

Ray Curran

Beyond Celebrations