Blended Family Wedding Ceremony Script with Sand Blending Ritual

PROCESSION 

• For this unique wedding, the couple's children are invited to create a small family circle with the officiant in the area where the couple will be standing for the ceremony. If there are only two children, ask them to stand on either side of the officiant, forming a semi-circle. 
• The officiant explains to the children that the circle they form will surround the couple in love and support during the ceremony, and keeps out all unwanted energy.   
• The couple enters from opposite sides of the circle, between their children, and stand in the center of the circle.  

CEREMONIAL GROUNDING

• The officiant grounds the couple in the moment by asking them to face each other, hold hands, and breathe. Even couples who have been together for a number of years are often nervous on their wedding day, but holding hands and looking at their best friend can help calm any nervous energy or anxiety.
• Officiant quietly asks couple if they're ready to proceed. Once each party answers yes, Officiant will begin. 

INVOCATION & WELCOME

Officiant addresses Couple, Children, and guests

Good afternoon, friends. We are here to celebrate the marriage of (Partner A) and (Partner B), and to share in one of the greatest celebrations known to humanity. (Partner A) and (Partner B), thank you for the honor of allowing us to share in your marriage celebrations.  

DECLARATION OF INTENT & CONSENT OF CHILDREN 

Officiant addresses the Couple

As we being your ceremony today, we begin by stating your intention to marry and that you freely and without reservation choose to join together.  

Officiant to Partner A

(Partner A), do you freely and without reservation choose to marry (Partner B) today? 

Partner A

I do. 

Officiant to Partner B

Partner B, do you freely and without reservation choose to marry Partner A today? 

Partner B

I do.

Officiant addresses the couple

Thank you both.

Officiant addresses the couple and children

You’ve known pretty much since the beginning that you would marry, but you had to make sure it was “right.” Part of that ‘making sure’ includes your children. And so it's (Partner A) and (Partner B's) wish that you, (Child 1), (Child 2) and (Child 3, etc), have the opportunity to officially consent to their marriage today.

• Officiant addresses each child individually

Officiant to Child 1

In that spirit, I ask you, (Child 1), do you consent to your (father/ mother/ parent), (Partner A) marrying (Partner B)?  

Child 1 

I do, yes. 

• Children can answer 'yes' using whatever words feel most natural to them.
• Repeat this for each of the couple's children. This can also be modified to ask all children at one time, using a variation of 'We do' style joint vows. 

Officiant to children

Great! Thank you all.  

OPENING BLESSING  

Officiant addresses the couple and children. 

Now, I ask that you all join me in prayer as we ask God’s blessings on what we do here today. 

Lord, we thank you for this amazing day, for the gift of (Partner A) and (Partner B) and for the gift of their love in our lives. We ask your blessings on this celebration and on what we do here today.

May we become clearer reflections of your compassion and graciousness in our world. Lord, we also ask your blessings of love and health and prosperity on this beautiful family. We ask this with our hearts full of faith, hope and love. Amen. 

LOVE STORY & WORDS ON MARRIAGE

Officiant addresses the couple 

(Partner A) and (Partner B), while some would say you met and fell in love by chance, that’s how some view internet algorithms. But that's not it at all. You’ve shared that you feel you were brought to each other through Divine guidance. What you have is rare.

You've (___)  

• THIS IS WHERE THE OFFICIANT WILL PERSONALIZE THE CEREMONY BY SHARING A BIT OF THE COUPLE'S LOVE STORY, and their words on the nature of love and marriage. INCLUDE DETAILS ABOUT HOW THEY MET, HOW THEY FELL IN LOVE, WHAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP IS LIKE, AND OTHER MOVING DETAILS ABOUT THEIR LOVE.   

You're both here today because you've committed to each other and have made a choice. You are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile and laugh, even sometimes makes you cry, but always makes every day brighter.

Today, you make promises to each other that you will strive to honor every day forward, for the rest of your lives together. The vows you make today represent who you are, what you value in life and in love, how you want to love each other, and how you promise to show up in good days and bad. These are your promises to meet life as a team, and to share each moment, each struggle and triumph, with each other. 

And so it is, (Partner A) and (Partner B) that your family now bears witness as you give your word, and pledge your love and life to each other. 

EXCHANGE OF WEDDING VOWS 

• TWO OPTIONS ARE INCLUDED BELOW - AN EXCHANGE OF WRITTEN VOWS AND AN TRADITIONAL EXCHANGE OF VOWS 

Option One - Exchange of Written Vows

oFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

Partner A, will you please share your vows with Partner B?  

• Partner A shares THEIR PERSONAL WRITTEN vows. 

 

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

Partner B, will you please share your vows with Partner A? 

• Partner B shares THEIR PERSONAL WRITTEN vows. 

 

Option Two - Exchange of Traditional Vows

• If the couple doesn’t choose to write their own vows, the officiant can create custom wedding vows based on conversations with the couple, including the qualities they view as their partner’s strengths and needs. below, we've included an example of these custom vows.

Officiant to Partner A

(Partner A), do you promise to continue to love, respect, and protect (Partner B) every day, and to recognize within your heart, (his/ her/ their) strength, (his/ her/ their) pride, (his/ her/ their) light, even as you see (his/ her/ their) vulnerability and fragility, and appreciate that (he/ she/ they) (is/ are) the only person you wish to spend this life with as partners?  

Partner A

I do.  

Officiant to Partner B

Partner B, do you promise to continue to love, respect and appreciate (Partner A) every day,  and to recognize (his/ her/ their) honesty, (his/ her/ their) humility, (his/ her/ their) light, even as you see (his/ her/ their) desire to protect and cherish you and your children?  

Partner B

I do.  

 

Officiant addresses the couple 

Do you both promise to continue to recognize one another as equals and support one another in your goals and wishes for the future?  

Partner A and Partner B

We do.  

Officiant addresses the couple

Do you promise to have fun, laugh, and continue to be silly together at least once each day, even during the stormy times?  

Partner A and Partner B

We do. 

Officiant addresses the couple 

Thank you both. 

EXCHANGE OF WEDDING RINGS

Officiant addresses THE Couple

(Partner A) and (Partner B), you have chosen to symbolize your vows to one another with an exchange of rings. Wedding rings therefore are an outward and visible sign of an inward, spiritual grace signifying to all your commitment to each other.  

Please hold and look at each other’s hands.

These are the hands of your best friend, strong and full of love for you. These hands will work and play alongside yours as you build your future together. These are the hands that will passionately cherish you through the years and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. They will tenderly hold your family as one. And these are the hands that even when aged, will still reach out to you with the same touch that comforts you today.

Whenever you glance at these rings, (Partner A) and (Partner B), know that you are loved beyond all imagining.  

 

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

(Partner A), please take (Partner B’s) left hand in yours.  

Please place this ring on (his/ her/ their) fourth finger and resume holding both of (his/ her/ their) hands.  

• PARTNER A PLACES THE RING. 

Please repeat after me:  

(Partner B), I give you this ring with the promise  

that I will love and honor you,  

in all ways, for all our days. 

It is a symbol of my deepest love,  

my unending and devoted friendship,  

and a pledge to stand with you in every tomorrow.

 

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

(Partner B), please take (Partner A’s) left hand in yours.  

Please place this ring on (his/ her/ their) fourth finger and resume holding both of (his/ her/ their) hands.  

• PARTNER B PLACES THE RING. 

Please repeat after me:  

(Partner A), I give you this ring with the promise  

that I will love and honor you,  

in all ways, for all our days. 

It is a symbol of my deepest love,  

my unending and devoted friendship,  

and a pledge to stand with you in every tomorrow.

FAMILY VOWS 

Officiant addresses THE Couple AND Children

We realize that in order for the home to be a happy one, it is essential that there be love and understanding between the children and the adults being married.

(Partner A) and (Partner B), please join hands with all of your children to create a circle of family love.

• THE COUPLE JOINS HANDS WITH THEIR CHILDREN. IF A CHILD IS VERY YOUNG, THEY CAN BE HELD DURING THIS PORTION OF THE CEREMONY.
• The children's vows below are inspired by similar family vows found in Offbeat Bride. these promises should be modified with the help of the parents to best suit their children.

Officiant to the children

Today we celebrate your bond as siblings -- one of the most important and lasting bonds that children can share. As you grow older together, explore the world and become adults, this bond will always remain between you. You are united, with your parents, as a family, today and always. 

I'm going to ask you three questions. If you're ready, answer "I promise" to each one. 

Do you promise to treat each other with love and patience, as equals and siblings, from today on?

• The children respond in unison : "I promise!"

Do you promise to laugh with each other, learn with each other, and have fun with each other?

• The children respond in unison : "I promise!"

Do you promise to share in the responsibilities and joys of being a family, today and always?

• The children respond in unison : "I promise!"

OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

(Partner A) and (Partner B), do you promise to continue to love, nurture and support (Children's names), to become all that they are meant to be?  

If so, please say "We do!"

• (Partner A) and (Partner B) respond in unison, "We do!" 

 

Officiant addresses the couple and children 

The blessing is that you don’t have to do this on your own. According to 1 John 4:16: "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."  

May your home be a place of happiness and comfort for everyone who finds it, and where each new generation, across all ages, is given a place for love and growing, a place for music and celebration, a place for laughter and fun as well as a place for rest and healing, acceptance and unconditional love.  

SAND BLENDING UNITY CEREMONY  

• This is a great place to ADD a unity ritual if the couple wants to have a visual representation of their blending of the family. IN THIS EXAMPLE, WE HAVE INCLUDED A SAND POURING CEREMONY, BUT SUBSTITUTE ANY RITUAL WITH SPECIAL MEANING TO THE COUPLE.
• TO PREPARE FOR THIS SAND POURING CEREMONY, EACH PERSON WILL NEED A SMALL CONTAINER OF COLORED SAND, WHICH THEY WILL POUR INTO ONE LARGE GLASS CONTAINER. THIS REPRESENTS THE BLENDING OF THE FAMILIES INTO ONE NEW FAMILY.

+ Browse unity rituals here. 

 

Officiant addresses THE couple

(Partner A) and (Partner B), today you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other and to honor your children as well. Your family relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these (number of participants) individual containers of sand -- each one representing all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, as individuals and as a family. 

Officiant addresses the couple and children

As you each hold your sand, the separate containers of sand represent your lives up to this moment, individual and unique. As you now combine your sand together, your lives also join together as one family. 

• The family pours the individual containers / vials of sand into the large glass container. This can be done in any order that the family chooses. For example: PARTNER A starts, then Child 1, Child 2, Child 3, then PARTNER B finishes. 

Officiant addresses the couple and children

Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage and your family be inseparable and whole. 

SPECIAL READING BY CHILD

• If one of the children is willing to share a fun little poem, or a letter to their new siblings or parent, this is a great spot for that. As an example, below is included a favorite reading that is often attributed to Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), written by Robert Fulghum.   
• Officiant invites the child to read

Officiant to the guests

In celebration of the joining together of this new family, I invite (Child's Name) to share a poem at this moment that describes family life to a “t”. 

Child addresses the family and guests

“We’re all a little weird. And life’s a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness and call it love.”  (Robert Fulghum)

Officiant addresses the child

Thank you, (Child's Name). 

• This is a great time for the couple and children to hug and kiss, then the children should again form a circle with Officiant around the couple as the officiant brings the wedding ceremony to a close. 

closing BLESSING 

Officiant addresses the couple and children

As we conclude our ceremony today, I invite you to once again join me as we ask God’s blessings on your marriage.  

Dear Father, as (Partner A) and (Partner B) go forth from this moment to live out their lives, we pray that your abundant blessings, their family and friends may keep them together always in true understanding, honest tenderness and courageous love all the days of their lives. We also ask these blessings on each of their family, friends and all of your children no matter where they may be. Amen! 

PRONOUNCEMENT & FIRST KISS 

Officiant addresses THE couple

Now as you, (Partner B) and you (Partner A) have consented together in marriage on this (Day of Month, Year) and have pledged your faith to each other by sharing your vows and giving and receiving of these rings before your family, according to the power vested in me by the State of  (Name of State) and American Marriage Ministries, I pronounce you married.

I invite you to share your first kiss as a married couple. 

• Children and other witnesses will clap.
• The officiant should step aside, away from the couple while inviting them to kiss, to make it easier for the wedding photographer/s and family members to capture photos of this moment.)

Officiant to the guests

Now, friends, it is my genuine pleasure to introduce for the very first time (Mr. and Mrs. / The Newlyweds), and the (Last Name) Family! 

• It's important that the officiant ask the couple how they wish to be introduced during the pronouncement before the ceremony. 
• Guests / Witnesses will cheer and clap again. 

RECESSION 

• Ceremony ends.

 

This script has been lightly edited by AMM Staff for clarity and flow.