Today, it is not uncommon for a bride, groom or both to have children from a previous relationship. In a wedding ceremony, these children are sometimes left out of the wedding, which may cause resentment and hurt feelings later. A new approach to ceremonies may help resolve some of those problems before they appear.
More frequently, couples with children from previous relationships are holding “family medallion” ceremonies as part of the wedding ceremony. A “family medallion” ceremony allows the entire family to acknowledge their commitments to each other, and to enable the bride or groom to take on the new role of step-parent publicly.
After the bride and groom exchange rings, the children are asked to come forward. The celebrant says a few words about the importance of family. The couple then exchange “vows” with the children, promising to love and support them as they grow up. Each child is presented with a “family medallion” in the form of a necklace, pin or ring made of gold or silver that features three symbolic rings. The “family medallion” ceremony takes about five minutes and is non-denominational. It can also be included as part of a civil ceremony.
Jewellers are beginning to craft jewellery for just such an occasion. If you’re planning a wedding and are looking for a way to include your children or those of your spouse-to-be, consider a family medallion ceremony or something similar as part of your wedding plans.
Keywords: Wedding Planning, Weddingblog, Wedding
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