Not all marriages are "the first." Designing a ceremony for a second or even third wedding may be a challenge if the bride and groom have children. Some couples like to have the new "parent" welcome the other's child into the family. You can incorporate this into the ceremony to represent the joining of families. The new parent can say a few words to the child or children, make vow-like promises, and give a token as a seal of the promises. A necklace with an inscribed charm is one idea for a gift. Since many couples include candle lighting in their ceremony, having an extra candle for each child is another way to include children. If the child is old enough, have them participate by lighting their own candle. Sharing food like braided bread or something that symbolically reflects the idea of family is another way to celebrate the creation of a new family through the union of marriage. A wedding not only joins the bride and groom, but also joins their respective families and creates community. In future posts, we'll look at how a ceremony can be designed to include the unique needs of the couple in order to create a personalized wedding event. After all, your wedding is about who you are and who you are becoming in the world and should reflect just that.
I Do adapts traditions and creates new options to help couples personalize their wedding ceremonies. by Sydney Barbara Metrick Buy The Book www.ChickenSoupCounseling.com
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