If you or your spouse have children, you will most likely want them to be included in your marriage ceremony in a way that celebrates the new family you are becoming. Be sensitive to the children's feelings, though, especially if their other parent is still involved in their lives and someone they love. Ask each child what role her or she would like to play - ring bearer, flower carrier, escort, reader - and respect their wishes if they prefer simply to watch.
One activity that is simple and beautiful is a sand ceremony. You could go together to a local beach and collect sand for each member of the family then color it at home (here's a link on how to color sand) choosing individual colors for each member (you can also buy sand at the hardware store and color it or purchase different colored sands for each person at a craft store). Together, choose a vase or bowl big enough to hold about 1-2 cups of sand for each of you.
At whatever point is appropriate in your ceremony, invite the child(ren) to join you and after a brief explanation of what is to happen, ask each member of the new family to pour his or her sand into the vessel -this can be done individually or all at once. As the sand blends together and fills the vessel, the officiant or someone of your choosing, can offer a reading, blessing or other words announcing the creation of the new family.
