Children at Weddings

AFTER the wedding ceremony, there will be lots of talk
about the patter of tiny feet. But during the wedding
itself you might want to think about whether you want
to hear the thundering of tiny feet and the shrieks
and squeals of small children running through the aisles.

Many children are well-behaved and would be delightful bridesmaids and page-boys, unfortunately though the combination of a strange routine, an air of excitement and too much cake can cause problems where children at weddings are concerned.
Some couples introduce a ‘no-children’ policy at their wedding. This may offend a few people, although if you ring and explain your decision rather than just stating it on the invites, friends are sure to understand your wishes – a few parents might even be glad of an excuse to get a babysitter!
If you want to have kids at your special day, remember to budget for some entertainment for them; anything from goody bags to an entertainer can help distract the little ones and calm them down. Companies like Event Smiles make ‘fun boxes’ to keep them entertained. Visit www.eventsmiles.co.uk for more information.
Another thing to remember is that your venue may not have facilities such as changing rooms, high-chairs and children’s menus to cater for tiny people.
If you’re parents and you and your children have been invited to a wedding, remember that the responsibility is on you to keep them under control. It’s useful to discuss a few ‘get-out’ plans with your partner beforehand to avoid problems and follow the top tips below for a stress-free day:

• Decide before you go into the church who will take the kids out if they get noisy or upset, sit near the back and on an aisle seat so you can make a quick exit with a minimum of fuss.
  
  
• Take their favourite (silent) toy or book into the church to
  keep them occupied – a small pack of sweets or healthier raisins will also keep their mouths busy for a little while.
  
  
• Make sure they go to the toilet before the service and find
  out where the loo is at the reception.
  
  
• If your child is a fussy eater, pack some food for them to eat during dinner to avoid tantrums. Inform the wedding couple beforehand so they don’t waste money on a meal.
  
  
• If you don’t have an overnight room booked, find somewhere quiet where young children can have their usual afternoon nap. If you are staying overnight you can take your child to bed early and take it in turns to watch them.
  
  
• Children will get bored during speeches, either you or your partner can take them outside for a run around to let off steam and minimise disruption to the ceremony.
  
  
• When your child starts getting tired or over-excited leave as soon as possible. Or if the bride has provided a crèche service, leave them there and have another glass of champagne.

back to wedding features index