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Sometimes, "the whole package" you're getting with your marriage includes his children. And just like you and your man, you form a new family together. It isn't always easy to do, but the relationship is something special. Here, our readers shared with us some of the ways you reached out to your stepchildren before and just after they got married.
"I'm just my silly, goofy self around them. They love me and I love them, but I make sure to let them know that I'm not trying to replace their mother. It really helps that their mother and I have the same views on parenting and similar parenting styles." — Laura S.
"Lucky for me, my stepdaughter's father and I have been together since she was three, and it was love at first sight. I treat her just like she was my own daughter, because to me, she is!" — Amanda D.
See More: How to Take Cute Photos of Kids at Your Wedding
"I treat my two stepsons as if I gave birth to them. Their biological mother is nonexistent by her own choice. So, to me, they aren't my "step" sons, they're my sons. During our wedding ceremony, all four of us lit a unity candle together, and I dedicated a song to them called 'Dirty Dishes' by Scott McCreery." — Miranda L.
"We just became close as we got to know each other. I made it clear, they have a mom already, but I wanted to have mutual respect because we all love their father. My future stepdaughter is one of my junior bridesmaids. Looking forward to our future together!" — Simone M.
"I'll have a stepson and a stepdaughter. I treat them no differently than I treat my own son (their brother) and we don't allow the family to play favorites. We have girls' days and the boys will have guys' days. We'll have them both next to us when we say, 'I do!'" — Carmen M.
Jolène M. Bouchon is a regular contributor to Brides.com and a freelance writer.