You have a lot of decisions to make about your wedding: what to wear and what decor to choose, what food you will serve, the music that will be played, etc. One question has been controversial for many couples: Should you invite children to your wedding day?
Including your little ones is a good idea, but you should ensure everything goes smoothly on your wedding day.
You don’t need to worry about sacrificing your vision regarding a child-friendly wedding. Planning and being competent in accommodating (and including!) your children is all it takes. It is essential to plan and be smart about accommodating (and including!)
Be Inspired PR has gathered expert tips and tricks for keeping your wedding child-friendly. These tips will keep your guests happy, no matter their age!
Hire help to create a “Kids Only Lounge.”
You can create a unique “lounge” area with activities away from the reception. This will give the kids the feeling that they have an entire room. The adults can relax knowing the children are safe, while the adults enjoy their wedding without worrying about the kids. – Jessica Flores. Founder, Wedding Sitter
Build a “PlayStation.”
Turn the kid’s traditional table into a “Play Station” and entertain your guests. There are many ideas, but you should look beyond coloring books and crayons. Please set up a craft station for the kids and let them go wild with pipe cleaners and glue sticks. You can also DIY giant lawn games such as Jenga or Tic-Tac-Toe. Rent some old-school games or go all out and buy them! “From pinball to Pac Man, all kids, young and old, will have a great time.” – Jenna Miller, Creative Director at Here Comes The Guide.
Serve child-friendly food
The kids’ chances of eating a whole plate of Chilean Sea Bass are slim. So, mix things up by offering finger foods that they will like. Your caterer can create a menu for kids that they will enjoy and eat. Make the meal fun by adding colorful fruit skewers, a taco bar, or milk-and-cookie shooters as dessert.
Consider the entertainment of children as carefully as you would the adults.
If you invite children to your wedding reception, remember they are also your guests. So could you give them the same attention as adults? Create a program for kids that can also be used as a coloring page to keep the children entertained during your ceremony. Plan for sitters during the reception to create a room filled with fun activities so parents can relax and enjoy the celebrations knowing that their children are well cared for. If all else fails, set up a comfy area and put in a movie!” – Nora Sheils, Founder a data-lasso-id=”79968″ href=”http://www.bridalbliss.com/”>Bridal Bliss/a> + Cofounder a datalassoid=”79969″ href=”http://www.rockpapercoin.com/ “>Rock Paper Coin/a Set up a comfortable area and play a movie! – Nora Sheils. Founder Bridal Bliss + cofounder Rock Paper Coin
Playfulness is a good thing.
Weddings can seem very formal to children. Make sure they have a good time by adding touches to encourage their playful side. While waiting for dinner, coloring pages, finger foods, or even their movie/lounge area would be fun. What’s the secret weapon that I have seen parents bring? Change of clothes to ensure that kids can easily transition into the car after a night out!” – Ashley Lachney of Alston Mayger Event
Choose a meal that is fun for kids.
There are many ways to make your wedding child-friendly. I suggest couples choose a fun and delicious kids’ meal and place the children at a table with activities. This keeps the kids occupied and engaged. You can have lawn games that adults and children can play during cocktail hour or even throughout the evening. – Kari Dirksen CEO + Lead Planner Feathered Arr Events
Create a few interactive food stations for late-night.
You can include some options for your family, as well as entertainment for children. Consider making late-night snacking interactive by adding food carts, cotton candy bars, churro stations, popcorn carts where you can customize the toppings, etc. The kids will love creating their dessert masterpiece! – Jessica Flores, Founder of Wedding Sitter
