I think that the unity sand ceremony is a great way to get the kids involved and make it more a family thing! There is also a family ring ceremony but I am not sure how boys would like that!

I've heard about the presenting of a "family medallion," much like the family ring, but I am not familiar with it. It's worth "googling" though.

How about adding to the traditional wedding vows? Not only with he have and hold you, but your child as well as you and your child are a package deal here! Have him make a committment to your son and you to his son in the vows. That sounds so sweet :-)

Hi,

There is a web site I visit often because it concentrate on children and blending families.
It offers quite a few articles with a lot of information about having the kids an important part of both ceremony and reception and how to involve them in the preparations as well.
You can read the articles if you go to:
wedding planning articles- plan a wedding day on a budget, theme weddings, remariage and blending family wedding
and scroll to the section about
Remarriage, Children & Weddings
This web site has many articles about all aspects of wedding planning.

Tiffany,

I think that is very thoughtful of you to include the children as part of blending the families together.

As for gifts for the boys, I have two suggestions. You might want to get them each two things. One item can be something that goes along with the so9lenity of the occasion such as an engraved plaque with their names and yours (you and your husband's). There could be a saying or a poem about what makes a family. That gift woudl be something they would appreciate years later when they are older.

The other gift could be something they would want now such as a cartridge for their video game system. That way you have the best of both worlds.

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Personalizable Wedding Postage Stamps - Make Your Invitations Unique

You can find family unity candles on this website, on the resource page. Todays Destination Weddings - Planning - Suggestions

I also have two boys to incorporate into our wedding..... this is very important to my husband to be and I. We have decided to do the sand idea as well. Each of us will get a color of sand and combine it to show our joining as one. My son also will be giving me away, along with my parents, that is something my mom suggested to me, and I thought it was a very sweet idea. Hope that helps a bit.

I would like to share an idea with you. My company makes custom made frames for the sand ceremony. The idea is that you and your husband along with your children pour sand into the frame and the sand intertwines as it encases a photo of your choice. You get to participate in the design process and choose your own wood from exotic woods found around the world and choose your own sand colors. We include the sand, glass cylinders and a funnel for pouring the sand. Frames will not leak and give an everlasting memory of that day. Please check us out at Sandframes | Custom frames with a touch of class or emil us with any questions at sandframes@aol.com

I don't have any ceremony ideas...but I would google invitation ideas and there are SEVERAL ways to state on the family invitation that the family will be coming together....

Our family situation is slightly different ...but ours looks something like this:

child number one and child number two request the honour of your presence as their parents

bride

and

groom

unite in marriage...blah blah blah

but in my search to find this...there were several about how they are glad their parents have found someone who makes them happy and are glad to become a family yada yada