A sensitive issue that commonly comes up planning the wedding guest list is whether or not you should have kids at weddings. There are strong arguments on both sides. Some couples feel that they don’t want to run the risk of children upstaging them during important moments of the day, such as during the wedding vows. Others feel strongly that weddings are a time to celebrate with family and loved ones, and children should not be excluded.
If you do decide to have children present at your wedding you must realize that the number one reason for disruptive children at weddings is boredom. There are certain tips that you should consider to ensure a smooth flowing wedding, such as;
- Designating an older child or teenager to ‘babysit’ the kids during the wedding.
- Kids love to feel part of weddings, so why not allocate a guest book just for them. It can be as simple as an unlined notebook. Allow them each one page and let them run wild with drawing in pictures of themselves and writing the bride and groom notes. Allow for plenty of pencils and crayons so that they can let their creativity run wild.
- Consider organizing a room for the children to play in during the ceremony.
- It is important that the kids don’t feel like they have been tossed aside. Include them in the after ceremony mingling with the bridal couple and photos.
- Have a ‘kiddy table’ at the reception so that the kids can mingle together with children their own age. It can be extremely frustrating for a child (especially an only child) to be seated with a group of adults and not to be included in the adult conversation.
- Set up a game area at the reception to keep the kids entertained. Board games and playing cards can be bought cheaply or can be brought from home or borrowed from friends.
Visit Simply Devine Weddings and Events for great ideas and products for keeping kids entertained at weddings.
– Simply Devine, Huron SD, GonnaGetWed.com member
Photo by GonnaGetWed.com member, Finished Vision Photography