Emma's answers to Vows for the family

Question

Could you give me any suggestions to personalise the words when exchanging rings to include not only my bride but also my step-daughter to be? I don't just want to refer to us as a couple but rather incorporate a 'family' feel?

Answer

It's a lovely idea to write your own vows to include your soon to be step daughter. I don't know of any marriage vows that include children, but civil ceremony vows can be adapted. Here are some ideas for you, which you may want to personalise:

What I have I give to you both, (names)
The promise to take you (wife's name) as my only love.
From this day forward I will stand by your sides,
Listen to you both when you speak,
Comfort you both when you cry,
and join both your laughter's with my own.
Today we all become one.

Please take this ring (name) and become my wife.
I come here today (wife and daughter's names) to join my life to yours before our family and friends. In their presence I pledge to be true to you both, to respect you both and to grow with you both through the years. Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here that this love is for both of you today and always.

Love is something to express not something to define.
(Name of wife to be) I take today as the opportunity for the fullest expression of my love for you and (daughter's name)

Here before these honoured guests, I commit to share my life with you both, as husband and father.
A new dawn, a new day, a new life. This is the first of our days together as a family and I promise each one will be unique. Let us all pledge to each other, before our friends and family to receive each day as the invaluable gift it is, and to always face dawn together.

Now we stand together, may it always be so,
(Name of wife then daughter) I offer myself to you both today as your Husband, father and friend. I will always love you both, respect you both and be faithful to you both.

They are just a few examples of how you could word your feelings. Assuming you are planning to have a civil ceremony, you should discuss your vows with your registrar to ensure they are allowed. To my knowledge it is not possible to change the vows of a religious ceremony.

Emma x