(candle, sand, shared wine, HAND CEREMONY, etc)
(REPEAT, RECITE OR READ TO EACHOTHER)
Involving children in the ceremony
If children are coming into the marriage, there are many different ways to involve the children in the wedding ceremony itself. I believe it is very important that if children are coming into the marriage that they be recognized or participate in some aspect of the wedding ceremony itself. Children often can not express fears or doubts they have.
I am very aware as to how much children will be an influence in the couple's life together. Involving children in the ceremony help them to transition to the new relationship they are now a part of. They can easily be involved in the Unity Sand, Unity Candle, be presented with a gift or jewelry, or even just walking down the aisle.
MENTIONING THE CHILDREN:
I think it is much more important that children hear their names mentioned in the ceremony, than it is that they play any major part of the ceremony. Mentioning their name during the wedding assures that they are an important part of the occasion and have special status which guests and other family members attending do not. Children need to feel important to their parents.
If children are coming into the marriage, it is appropriate to mention in the ceremony that not only is a marriage being formed, but also a family - and then name each child. If a prayer is in the ceremony, each child's name will be stated in the prayer.
