"family vows" plz help

[debbydibbles]

We ahve decided that we are going to recite vows with my children. However we ahve no clue as to what those vows will be . We wnat them to be short and simple for the chidrens sakebut at the same time meaningful . Any ideas/tips/suggestions/examples would be greatly appreciated.TIA.

[sublime311]

I don't have personal experience with this, but here are some I found here (http://www.getmarriedohio.com/ceremony/3vows_family.html) (I just did a google search for "family vows").

# 1
Groom's vows to Bride & children:
[Bride], I take you now, in the presence of God and these witnesses, to be my wife. I promise to love you, to hold you and to honour you, in good times and in bad, to enjoy you, console you, to delight you and astound you when I can. I will give thanks for you always, and cherish you with all my heart until the end of our days.

[Bride], not only do I promise to be a good and faithful husband to you, but also to be a patient, loving father to [children's names], caring for them and providing for them as my own. I promise to be their strength and their emotional support, loving them with all my heart until the end of their days. (Laurie Beckstead)

# 2
Groom and Bride are blessed with this child _____, as fruit of their love and giving together. Groom and Bride do you commit to love and care for _____, and to teach him/her of love through your examples? Do you pledge to treat _____ with honesty and dignity, respecting him/her as a person, listening to him/her, teaching him/her and helping him/her to grow.

# 3
Not only are Groom] and Bride creating a marriage today, but they also are forming a family with Child/Children's names. Just as it is appropriate for Groom and Bride to begin their marriage by affirming their love for each other by exchanging Roses, they also wish to show their love for Child/Children’s names with a gift of a Rose.

The Bride and Groom then hand the child or each of the children a rose, give a hug and whisper "I love you".

# 4
And now, Child/Children's names do you promise to love your parent's new husband/wife? Do you promise to support their marriage and their new family? Do you promise to accept the responsibility of being their children, and to encourage them and support them in your new life together?" ("I do.")

# 5
Child/Children's names, if you would join us, Groom and Bride would like to exchange a gift with you, not only to symbolize that you are a part of this marriage, but also to include you, in the bond of this ceremony. It is their way of sharing with you the celebration of the creation of a new family, that begins here today.

Child/Children's names, we are giving you this token today to show you we are proud to have you in our new family. We promise to be a family, all of us together.

[debbydibbles]

Thank you for the help!

[MrsWilson]

I had posted this in the Personalize Your Wedding thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=216).

Taking Parental Vows --Often marriage is thought of as the joining of two people. In reality, marriage joins many lives. This is most apparent when the bride and/or groom have children. With children present, marriage becomes the proclaiming of a new family. And without a loving commitment to those children, a wedding ceremony is incomplete.

The presentation of a family medallion is just one of many ways of honoring your children during the ceremony. Speaking to them on bent knee or at their level, as shown at left, and assuring your love, gives them peace of mind as well. Their lives change with yours on wedding day.

In the ceremony proper, a bride and groom take an oath to each other (the exchange of vows). A similar oath can be taken with children as well. Let's say that the groom Michael, is marrying Sarah who has two children Trevor and Katie. In mid-ceremony, with their children gathered before them, I would ask of the bride and groom:

Do you Michael and Sarah...

Promise to honor and protect Trevor and Katie,
and to provide for them to the best of your ability?

Do you promise to make their home a haven,
where trust, love, and laughter are abundant?

and do you make these promises lovingly, and freely,
and vow to honor them all the days of your lives?

Michael and Katie... We do.

After this vow, the Family Medallion would be presented (if this option is used) and photographs taken. Please remember that this is all optional and is presented to give you a suggestion on one of many ways your children can be honored. You can do all of this without a family medallion too. Taking vows to your children followed by your loving embrace is just as effective.

[sinderstorm]

Not vows, but my best friend has a son from a previous relationship who was 4 when she married her DH. Right after my friend and her DH cut their cake, they had a 'family' cake that they cut with her son. He thought it was soo cool that he got his very own cake, and got to be part of that ceremony with his mom and stepdad.

In their case, her son is VERY shy so he didn't want to talk during the wedding. He was the ringbearer, and they did the cake ceremony, but no specific vows for him.

[debbydibbles]

A family cake sounds so sweet. I am looking for any suggestions for including children. Not just vows . So every idea posted is appreciated. Or maybe I should start a thread for suggestions on including children in the ceremony.