{"id":116128,"date":"2021-08-11T12:20:28","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T18:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/?p=116128"},"modified":"2025-06-17T16:31:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-17T20:31:45","slug":"creative-blended-family-wedding-ideas-for-your-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/articles\/topics\/blended-family\/remarriage\/dating-and-preparing-for-marriage\/creative-blended-family-wedding-ideas-for-your-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"Creative Blended Family Wedding Ideas for Your Ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Where do you start?<\/a> Your wedding is different. You want to include your kids and stepkids and create special memories as you start life as a blended family. Marriage with children is a merging of families. It\u2019s important to create a sense of belonging for the children as part of the wedding ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve been dreaming of your special day for years. You can hardly believe it\u2019s happening! Finally, the wedding date is set and the venue reserved. Now, it\u2019s time to plan your blended family wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind the rituals presented below will begin<\/em> your journey as a family, but they don\u2019t signify you\u2019ve arrived<\/em>. Blending a family takes years before relationships come together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideas for a blended family wedding ceremony<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maybe it feels overwhelming to consider how to include kids and have the details fall into place without emotional meltdowns. Here are six drama-free ideas to make your blended family wedding ceremony special and unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Present a family medallion to each of the children.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The family medallion<\/a> is a tangible symbol of love and can help children joining a blended family feel secure. The medallion (a pendant, ring, or lapel pin) is usually presented after the bride and groom exchange their rings. The children then join them for a special moment where the couple pledges their commitment to the children and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Have a blending of the sands ritual.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Similar to the unity candle, where the couple takes two small candles and lights a large candle to signify oneness, this ritual uses different color sand to represent the adults and children the marriage will merge. First, the couple symbolically pours some sand from their vases into a larger \u201cfamily\u201d vase. Then each child does the same. The beautiful blend makes a mosaic that can be displayed as a lasting visual representation of the coming together of the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Create a canvas of hands together.<\/h3>\n\n\n
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After reading Preparing to Blend*<\/em> and learning how important it is to include children in planning a blended family wedding, one couple decided not to elope. Instead, Kristin and Jason planned a small, intimate wedding and let her children play the role they wanted to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the couple\u2019s vows and rings were exchanged, Kristin, Jason, and the boys painted their hands and pressed their handprint onto a blank canvas. The officiant\u2019s comments wrapped meaning to the moment, noting that each of them\u2014in a way they individually decide\u2014now had the opportunity to put their own hand to this family and stamp their unique fingerprints to the canvas of what this family is becoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd together,\u201d he said, \u201cin your own timing and in your own way, you can create something beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Create a unity puzzle board at your blended family wedding.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Each member of a family has their own unique personality, talents, and wishes for the future. Everyone is different but contributes to the whole\u2014a separate but crucial piece of the family puzzle. And when a piece is missing, the whole is not balanced.<\/p>\n\n\n

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This understanding of family dynamics is what makes a family puzzle ritual in a blended family wedding ceremony such a fitting (pardon the pun) inclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, toward the end of the ceremony, each family member brings forward their piece of the puzzle and fits it together. Sometimes puzzle pieces need to be worked a little to fit into place (another wonderful metaphor for the ups and downs of family life). But when the pieces are locked together\u2014side by side\u2014the whole is more beautiful and stronger than any single piece on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Thanks to <\/a>Unbridely.com<\/a> for the idea!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n