"Vows" to step children

Lizzieyounce

My FI will become step dad to my two girls (ages 13 and 18) on our big day. He loves them as if they were his own and they him. 

We want to include them in our Mass (Catholic), but our church doesn't do unity candles or sand.

Would it be better to have FI present a special gift to each of my daughters at the reception, or since Family Priest is willing to include a blessing or vow as part of the ceremony have him present the gifts then?  I am thinking a necklace or a bracelet would be nice. I have now idea how to word the "vows" though.

Suggestions?

Thanks so much for your input!

artbyallie

Please don't do this. Wedding vows are for consenting adults, and if your children's biological dad is still living, this could hurt him deeply. And whether he's in the picture or not, your daughters are certainly old enough to balk at the idea of replacing him with their stepdad.

Giving them gifts is fine. But that can be done privately, before or after the wedding. No need to make a big to-do of it at the wedding.

The Second Weddings board will also be able to provide more information and ideas on this topic, if you wish to check them out.

NOLAbridealmost

No one under 18 should be vowing anything. 

Give them a gift. I am sure they'll love it.

monkeysip

I'm pretty sure this isn't liturgically allowed in a Catholic wedding, anyways, so I'm surprised that your priest was even willing to do this.

Some nice gesture and gift outside of the wedding ceremony sounds great, but no extra vows.