The touching performances at overseas remarriages and weddings. It is truly wonderful to have the children who will become stepfamily say their vows as well.

【🌎】Wedding Ceremony in Case of Remarriage with Children

In cases where either the bride or groom, or both, are remarried and have children (when becoming step-parents), and it’s a wedding abroad.

A beautiful scene often seen in overseas weddings is when the bride and groom, who are becoming the new father and mother of the children, vow their love to the kids during the ceremony.

The groom often kneels down to make eye contact and throws words of promise to the child.

There may be no blood relation.

Making vows not just to each other as partners but also to the other's children is something that can only be done with love. It's certainly not something everyone can do, which makes it special.

Watching this moment, you feel deeply moved by the birth of a new family that has overcome a multitude of emotions and events.

This is a unique element of foreign weddings, where the customs of divorce and remarriage are more advanced than in Japan.

Perhaps, we will see more of such families in Japan in the future.

What Kind of Vows Are Made?

What’s intriguing is the content of these vows.

While the common phrase between the bride and groom is to love each other in sickness and in health for eternity,

What kind of vow do the bride and groom make to their partner's children (commonly referred to as stepdaughter/stepson)?

I looked into it.

Referencing actual wedding ceremonies, I will present both the English spoken and its translation.

From the Groom (New Dad) to the Stepdaughter 💌 Example 1

(English)

“○○, from this day forward, I promise to remind you every day how much I love you.

I promise to teach you, to guide you and to respect you.

I promise to never treat you like anything less than my own child.

I'm very happy to say that you are my only daughter and from this day forward

you will be the other love of my life.”

(Japanese Translation)

“Today this day, I promise to remind you every day how much I love you.

I promise to teach you, guide you, and respect you, treating you as my own child.

From today, I am very happy to say that you are my only daughter.

You will be the other love in my life (along with your mother).”

From the Groom (New Dad) to the Stepdaughter 💌 Example 2

(English)

“Someday you're going to stand up here wearing a pretty dress just like Mom.

Until then I hope that I can show you what true love looks like

and I hope that I can show you what kind of a man you deserve to marry.

I promise to always believe in you to always support your dreams

and I promise to always hold your hand and walk by your side.

you'll never be alone because you will always have your stepdad I love you.”

(Japanese Translation)

“Someday, you will grow up and stand here in a beautiful dress, just like your mom.

Until that day, I hope to show you what true love looks like

and the kind of man you deserve to marry.

I promise to believe in you always and support your dreams.

I promise to hold your hand and walk by your side.

You'll never be alone because you will always have your stepdad. I love you.”

From the Groom (New Dad) to the Stepdaughter 💌 Example 3

(English)

“I got one more vow to say because it's not just one person who comes with me; her daughter as well.

So I wanted to say something, Rihanna.

I was not there when you took your first steps or when your first tooth came in.

I will never miss another first.

I love you as you are my one of my own.

I am not here to replace anyone nor will I try.

I will be the best I can to you and your mommy.

I will be fair and honest with you.

I promise to support you in every way I can and I promise to protect you and cherish you.

Each and every moment I spend with you.

But most of all I promise to love you unconditionally as I look into your eyes.

The most important vow I will make to you is to show you how a man should treat a woman through my marriage with your mom, and to always be a Christ-like example.

You let me be your dad.”

(Japanese Translation)

“僕にはもうひとつ、誓いがあります。一緒になるのは奥さん一人じゃなくて、彼女の娘もいるから。

だからリアーナに、言いたいことがある。

君が初めて歩いたとき、1本目の歯が生えてきたとき、僕はそこにいなかったよね。

でも僕は、これからはもう君のそんな成長を見逃すことはないし、自分の子供として、愛していくよ。

僕は誰かの代わりでここにいるわけではないし、そうするつもりもない。

僕は君と、君のママにできる限りのことをしていくつもりだ。

公平に、真正直に。そして僕にできる限りの方法で、君を支え、守り、大切にすることを約束するよ。

いつどんなときも君と一緒に過ごして、無条件に君を愛することを、君の瞳を見てたしかに約束するよ。

僕が君に誓う最も大切な誓いは、君のママとの結婚を通して、男性が女性をどのように扱うべきか示すこと。そして、常にキリストのような模範であることを示すこと。

僕をパパにしてくれてありがとう。”

From the Bride (New Mom) to the Stepson 💌 Example 1

(English)

“I may not have been there at the beginning but promise to be there alongside your dad for every big moment of the rest of your life.

I promise to be your biggest baseball fan and to attempt to keep up with all of the baseball rules.

You have helped make me into the woman that I am today and I promise to continue to be a role model for you as you grow into the young man God is molding you into.”

(Japanese Translation)

“私は最初からいたわけではないけれど、残りの人生の貴重な瞬間のために、あなたのパパと一緒にいることを約束します。

私はあなたの一番のファンで、野球のルールについていけるように努力します。

あなたは今日、私を花嫁にするお手伝いをしてくれました。そんなあなたのために、私はあなたが成長して大きくなるまで、ロールモデルであり続けることを約束します。”

From the Bride (New Mom) to the Stepson 💌 Example 2

(English)

“One major promise that I know I will make and I promise to be the best proudest and even most excited stepmom to your son Alex.

Alex honey, I promise you to be loving and supportive stepmom who will always be a source of encouragement and hope whenever you need it.

And I promise to continue to be a light of excitement for you.

And then we'll always keep dancing together, and having more glorious memories together

I love you sweetheart, I love you.”

(Japanese Translation)

“私ができるひとつのたしかな約束は、息子であるアレックスのために、最も誇り高く、面白い継母になること。

アレックス。私は、必要なときにいつでも励ましと希望の源となれるような、愛情深く協力的なお母さんになることを約束します。

そして、あなたをわくわくさせるような光となることを約束します。

一緒に踊り続けて、すばらしい思い出をたくさん作ろうね。

愛しています。”

From the Bride (New Mom) to the Stepson 💌 Example 3

(English)

“Today is the day I tell your daddy I do which means that I'm gonna love you forever too.

The moment I met you I knew that there was a special reason that God placed you and your daddy in my life.

I may not have been there from the beginning.

But every day for the rest of your life I promise to be by your side to encourage you to teach you to be kind to have courage always and to dream your biggest dreams.

I hope you know just how much I adore you and how proud I am of the little man that you're becoming.

I am honored to be an active part of you growing up.

You are a gift to my life by God's design.

I love you with my whole heart as if you were mine.”

(Japanese Translation)

“今日、私はあなたのパパに誓いましたが、それはつまり、あなたのことも永遠に愛することを意味します。

あなたに出会ったとき、私は、神様が私の人生にあなたとあなたのパパを置いてくれた特別な理由を知りました。

私は最初からいたわけではないけれど。これから先はずっと毎日、私はあなたのそばにいて、あなたが親切でいられるように、いつでも勇気をもてるように、大きな夢を見られるように、あなたを励まし導いていきます。

どれだけあなたを愛おしく思っているか、どれだけあなたを誇りに思っているか、知っていてほしい。

あなたが成長していくのに、重要な役割を担えてとても光栄です。

あなたは、神様から私の人生に贈られた大切なギフト。心から愛しています。”

【Other than Vows】 Gifts like these are also shared by the New Dads to their Daughters ♡

Girls often wear wedding dresses just like the bride's mother.

They feel like a princess, and I’m sure every girl gets excited about it.

Videos of the Father-Daughter First Meet.

Also, the First Dance videos of the Father and Daughter ♡

Vows to Children Bring Tears...!

At overseas stepfamily weddings, vowing love to the children during the ceremony is a culture that has never existed in Japan, making it fresh and moving.

Having a close adult reach out to you and show you unconditional love as a child brings immense comfort and is very important for adults as well.

Just like the families introduced in the article, it’s completely possible to get married, have children, go through a divorce, and then remarry in your teens or twenties.

The stories of stepfamilies often recount how complicated those relationships can be.

That’s why hearing the beautiful words pledged to the children is overflowing with emotion and is so touching.