Bringing a new mother or father into a family, or blending two families
is not unusual today, and finding a way to make the event meaningful
for the whole family can be a challenge. Laurie Beckstead has a wonderful
suggestion to make your ceremony truly special:
Family Vows
By Laurie Beckstead, in conjunction with A-Wedding Day.com
The Vows
(Brian's vows to me & the kids) Laurie, 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.
Laurie, 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.
Family Candle Ceremony
This marriage is not just the joining of Laurie and Brian, it is also
the joining of (children's names), of their families and their friends
to build a strong community. This community, if in a different way,
is also strengthened by those who are present today only in our memories.
Their roles in your lives are no less diminished as we celebrate today's
joyous moments. We ask you to join with Laurie and Brian in fond memory
of all these people and in particular; (names of loved ones).
In the quiet of this special moment we give thanks for all the rich
experiences that have brought Laurie and Brian to this marriage. We
are grateful for the values taught to them by those who have loved them
and nurtured them throughout their lives. We are grateful that within
Laurie and Brian there is a great love for God and for each other. We
are grateful too for the resources to use this love to create a home
for each other and for (children's names).
This candle before us symbolizes the joining of Laurie's and Brian's
past and of the new family they have formed here today. It should also
serve as a reminder to them of their faith in God who enriches their
marriage in every way.
The flames that light this candle will burn brighter when joined together.
Extinguish the two and be forever united in God's love.
copyright © Laurie Beckstead, June 2000, All Rights Reserved