To allow kids at your wedding…or not?
Etiquette masters all agree, it’s the bridal couple’s choice whether or not to allow children at their wedding. Once you have decided to welcome children, here are some ways to make your life easier:
First, address the invitation by putting the child’s name below the parents’ names. Follow that with a phone call to discuss what options you will have for children.
Will there be children in your wedding? Giving kids a job is a good way to keep them busy and out of trouble. Ring bearers and flower girls are traditionally 3-7 years old. Depending on age, children can hand out programs or mass books, distribute flower petals, rice or bird seed, manage the guest book, hand out favors – whatever is age appropriate and suited to the child’s personality.
Kid Friendly Activities Are Your Friend
If you are going to have a large number of children, you might want a separate room or create an area for kids under 7 that has smaller tables, highchairs, a kid-happy buffet, activities like coloring books and toys. Cover the tables in butcher paper. Hire a nanny, or have parents volunteer to supervise that area. You can seat kids 7-14 at a separate table and consider having a children’s buffet or kid-friendly food like hot dogs, finger sandwiches, pasta salad, mashed potatoes, chicken fingers or pizza bread. It will be less expensive for you.
Plan activities for the kids. Games, toys and arts and crafts supplies they can take home with them. If you have kids in a separate room, have a TV and DVD player available and play cartoons or Disney movies. A larger budget means you can hire entertainment like balloon artists, face painters or even a bounce house.
Giving kids something to do will give them less time to get into trouble and make them much better guests at your wedding.
Wedding Toy Box For Your Younger Guests
Crayons and coloring books (make your own coloring books!) • Sticker books and stickers • Construction paper • Kid-friendly scissors • Playdough (with heart cookie cutters) • Board games • Finger puppets • Ribbon wands • Balloons • Feather boas • Masks • Dress-up play clothes from the thrift store or your closet • Organize games such as Musical Chairs, Clothespin Drop, or Bean Bag Toss.
Keeping the kids happy will help make a happy time for all!
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