From choosing the dress to choosing your flowers, amongst all of the important details it’s easy to forget about the little ones at your wedding. Here are a few fun tips for keeping them entertained and out of any trouble.
Let them sit down after walking down the aisle. While it makes for sweet pictures, having the flower girls and ring bearer stand with the wedding party during the entire ceremony is a little unrealistic. Those little bodies love to squirm and move and sometimes lose their focus. Have their parents in the first or second row, so once they walk down the aisle, they can have a seat and not steer the focus away from you and your groom.
Keep them busy with favors before the reception. If you’re expecting quite a few younger guests, keep them entertained with coloring books or a small goodie bag to be given to them before the reception. This will keep them busy while everyone waits for your grand entrance.
If budget permits, offer them their own space. Keeping the children in their own spot will not only help the evening run smoothly for you, but will also ensure a fun time for them! We saw an adorable table on Mindy Weiss’s Instagram this week that we absolutely loved!
Provide a kid-friendly menu. Save some money and give the kids what they want for dinner! You could set up a small buffet of chicken nuggets, fruit cups and other items that can be served easily. Instead of wedding cake, offer them mini cupcakes and ice cream.
Don’t forget about the older kids. The tweens would love to be involved like the younger flower girls and ring bearers, but want to look like adults. Let them help out by recruiting them to pass out programs or gather people for the cake cutting. Asking a few younger girls to help you, would certainly make their day! For older teens, ask your bartender to make mocktails so they feel included with the adults.
Have a fun activity to keep them entertained. Kids love a photo booth, young and old. The younger kids will love to dress up in fun accessories and take silly pictures, while older kids will love to share the images on Facebook or Twitter. You could even have them add your wedding’s hash tag like Christina did for her wedding!
Don’t stress. Kids will be kids. There’s bound to be some amount of chaos, but no matter what remember to find the humor in it all. Planning ahead can help – and we think the kids, their parents and your guests would appreciate your efforts.
Planning a wedding with a lot of children and need some help creating a seamless, and screamless, evening? Give us a call – we’d love to help!
Cheers,
Katie O’Keefe
