As a wedding officiant who does a lot of second weddings, I am often asked “How can we include the children from our previous marriage into the wedding ceremony”. This can be a very tender issue depending on how old the children are and how receptive they are to the new step-parent coming into the mix.
If they then decide on the wedding day they want to be involved, great, it not, forcing them will result in a worse situation. If they don’t want to participate, it’s not the end of the world. They will come around in their own time. Keep their feelings in mind before you make them do something you will regret later.
Blending families is a challenge on many levels, before, at and after the ceremony. Make the ceremony itself something special, inviting and joyous - something the children will want to be part of, and don't worry - it's a challenge that will be worth the effort.
clipped from: eventsbythebay.typepad.com