Ceremony Reading involving kids?

Welcome!

We, who have gathered here today, are now privileged to behold and to participate in a ceremony celebrating the love, dedication and friendship Amanda & Nathan have for each other, knowing that by our presence here with them, we are saying that they, together, are loved by many others. We have come to surround them as they join together in marriage, to witness as they promise to preserve and honor the devotion they have for one another, not just at this moment, but for all the days to come, and treasure the hopes and dreams that you bring here for them today.

Quite often marriage is viewed as the union of two persons, but Nathan & Amanda have been blessed to be walking life's path not only together, but along side their 3 amazing children Tyson, Rylee & Alivia, making the journey that much more beautiful. They as parents promise to provide unconditional love, guidance and support for all the days of your lives.

Amanda & Nathan, remember loyalty, passion, and joy can grow only when you nourish them together. Stand fast in that hope with confidence, having faith in your shared destiny just as strongly as you have faith in yourselves and in one another today. In presenting yourselves here today to be joined in marriage, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and develop and last, but only if you both decide to make it so. A lasting and growing love is not guaranteed by any ritual.

Bump.. anyone?

I really like that idea myself have to do this too I have 2 kids with my FH this sounds very good and touching and original.

I've been searching readings for weeks now and can't come up with anything but I do love how you included the kids. We are looking to do about the same thing, a little humor, including the kids, and having personal meaning. It has been a challenge for me. I think you have done a great job with putting this together so far, I wish I could offer you some advice but your way ahead of me on getting this accomplished.

I think you could play it up a little more, honestly.

"Quite often..."

While I like the meaning behind it, I see two major problems with this paragraph.

1. The first sentence is a very, very long one. This makes it complicated and hard to follow. I'd break it up somehow. "Quite often, marriage is viewed as the union of two persons. However, Nathan and Amanda have been blessed to be walking life's path not only with one another, but alongside their three amazing children: Tyson, Rylee, and Alivia."

2. I don't know what you're trying to say in the last sentence. Are Nathan and Amanda promising to provide that to their children? To each other? To the crowd? I think this has to do with "all the days of your lives." There needs to be some sort of closure, which I feel is missing. Say something about it's joining ALL of your lives together, not just the two of yours.

If it helps anyone, we included our children in our vows and in our sand ceremony. They were too young to pour the sand, but they were included anyway.

Vows

Today, Jamie, I take you to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children, and my wife...

Today, Greg, I take you to be my friend, my lover, the father of my children, and my husband...

Sand Ceremony

Today, Greg and Jamie, you are making a commitment of your eternal love for one another as well as to your children, Landon and Rachel.

We would be promising that to our children, I guess I didn't see where people would be confused because that paragraph was to the kids

They as parents ..... is how that sentance began. I do agree that the first part could be broken up, but it is a reading so I think the commas will suffice because the only person that will have a printed copy is the officiant.

PS Thank you!

Friendship *OF Amanda & Nathan. (line 3)

I agree with Jamie T as well, break that sentence up. SO here is how Jamie had it... "Quite often, marriage is viewed as the union of two persons. However, Nathan and Amanda have been blessed to be walking life's path not only with one another, but alongside their three amazing children"

Maybe after THIS you can pause, ADDRESS the children and say.. "Tyson, Riley and Alivia, They as parents promise to provide YOU WITH unconditional love, guidance and support for all the days of your lives." Then return to speaking to EVERYONE.

ALSO... keep your names in the same order... like, dont jump from Amanda & Nathan to Nathan & Amanda... keep it uniform!

I like Sabrina's suggestions

@Sabrina- I like that idea, to address the kids...

I wrote it that because i'm not sure who comes first...the bride or groom? Does it matter?

Except OF would not make sense in that sentance (line 3)

OH DUH.. you're right. I read that wrong!!!! MY BAD! =)

PS AWESOME wedding date! 10/20 is my daughters bday =)

I would like to suggest that if you want "humor" that you actually sit down with the kids (maybe have your parents do this or someone who has a good level of communication with them) and ASK them what they would want to say to you as you get married. Then during the ceremony, bend over and stick a mic in their faces and ask them again....it will be CUTE!! and everyone will love it! It could be a specific question like - what does your parents getting married mean to you? What does marriage mean to you? what do you love most about your parents? something sweet and simple, but whatever they say will be super cute and meaningful for sure. And with the step child, just be sure that its worded in a way that he doesnt feel like you are trying to replace his mother or make it confusing to him. Hope that helps

I love that you are including your children. My gf who got married in May, had her son be part of the sand ceremony thingy.My son will be doing a reading during our ceremony