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Children at weddings can be oh so adorable. And the cutest scene-stealers, too. But if things aren\u2019t planned right, they could also spell potential mayhem! So how do you keep your darling little flower girls, ring bearer and any tiny tot guests happily occupied so their parents (and all the guests) can enjoy the reception? Well, the suggestions and infographic we\u2019ve put together here should do the trick!<\/p>\n
Child guests will probably be all right during the ceremony proper. But once things extend to the reception, they\u2019re likely to start feeling tired, bored, and restless. They\u2019re kids after all! So be prepared by taking these measures.<\/p>\n
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1. Get prior info about kiddie attendees.<\/strong><\/p>\n While formulating your guest list, you\u2019ll probably already have an idea of which couples may have little children they can\u2019t leave at home during your wedding. Give them a call once the invites are out (or have a bridesmaid do this for you) and graciously ask if they\u2019ll be bringing the children, so that you can plan ahead. Find out the youngsters\u2019 ages, if they\u2019re boys or girls, and maybe any concerns about food allergies, etc.<\/p>\n Armed with a final head count of kids (don\u2019t forget the ones in your bridal party!) and the info you\u2019ve gathered, you can now map out your \u2018anti-mayhem plan\u2019!<\/p>\n 2. Think \u2018kiddie corner\u2019 as you visualize your venue.<\/strong><\/p>\n Giving children their own special space is a major step towards containing their movement and noise. It also allows you to assemble a truly kid-friendly environment<\/strong>\u2014apart from the fancy (i.e., breakable, soil-able) setup for the grownups. Ideally, this could be an actual separate room adjacent to the main reception area. Or a section of the hall or garden marked off with potted plants, floral garlands, or even some long tables.<\/p>\n 3. Create a little world high on kiddie appeal.<\/strong>If you\u2019ll be having a wedding stylist\/planner, he or she will surely have experience in planning for kids at weddings. So share your info on the number and ages of the children, and include the design of their special space in your consultations. Decide if you\u2019d like the color scheme at least to match your overall wedding decor. But the rest of the details should be focused on what will keep kids content and behaved for 3 to 4 hours<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Physical setup<\/em><\/p>\n – child-size tables and chairs Decorations<\/em><\/p>\n – In place of floral centerpieces in vases, have little flowers and other decorations hanging from ribbons overhead (beyond kiddie reach, though!). These will provide the festive effect without the risk of spills or breakage. Kiddie-Guest Host and Attendants<\/em><\/p>\n – Got a preschool teacher in the family? Or a sweet friend who wouldn\u2019t mind spending the reception entertaining children? Lucky you! There\u2019s your kiddie-guest host right there!
\n– water- and spill-proof tablecloth (or none at all)
\n– disposable plates and utensils, glasses with \u2018sippy\u2019 lids, lots of paper napkins
\n– if it\u2019s a carpeted indoor area, a waterproof mat or covering over the carpet
\n– if you\u2019ll have a separate enclosed room, a DVD player and large television monitor for film viewing and\/or a small sound system (or a laptop) for playing kiddie tunes<\/p>\n
\n– Kids love seeing their names labeling things. So have cute themed name-signs on each chair back. A great way to avoid those \u201cThat\u2019s my chair!\u201d squabbles.
\n– Have activity kits in brightly-colored packaging serving as the decorations at each child\u2019s place (best if labeled with his\/her name), ready to keep little hands busy. The kits could include puzzles, activity or coloring sheets and crayons, small toys and tiny books.<\/p>\n
\n– This person will be invaluable in keeping the little ones in their designated area, rather than wandering back to their parents or zooming among the reception tables.
\n– She or he can tell a story, read a book, demonstrate a craft, do some fun tricks, lead the children in singing songs or playing quiet games.
\n– To assist the host, convince 2 or 3 young cousins to act as attendants for the tots as well.<\/p>\n