Your
Most Important Promise
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
to a child is just one of many ways of honoring children during
a ceremony. Speaking to them on bent knee while presenting
the medallion, and assuring your love, gives them peace of
mind as well. Their lives change with yours on wedding day.
However the presenting of a family medallion or any other token
is not a requirement for this option.
In the ceremony proper, a bride
and groom take an oath of fidelity to each other (the exchange
of vows). A similar oath can be taken with children as well
known as a Parental Vow.
Let's say that the groom "Brian",
is marrying "Sarah" who has two children whose names
are Paige and Katie. In mid-ceremony, after exchanging vows
and rings to each other and after the giving of roses to VIPs,
I would ask that their children be brought before them.
I would now ask the bride and
groom:
Do you Brian and
Sarah
Promise To Honor And Protect Paige 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 Freely And From Your Heart
And Vow To Honor Them All The Days Of Your Lives?
The couple responds
together "We Do", and embraces their
children.
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