Dealing with Children at Weddings
From starring roles to mini meals, dealing with children at weddings keeps the soul young at heart.
For some brides and grooms the question of having children involved in the wedding is pure joy while others shun the idea.
Children do and say the darnedest things. We need to remember as adults we are their role models. What they say and do they have learned from us.
What is Your Age?
One of the important issue for couples to keep in mind is the age of the children involved. The age range for flower girls and ring bearers is four to eight years old. Children younger can be unpredictable to walk down the aisle alone. Those older than eight feel the role is babyish. The best deciding factor is how well you know the child yourself.
If you come from a large family and making a decision as to who will be chosen, choose all of them. How? Consider having them walk down the aisle with the bride carrying the train.
Too Old or TOO Young
If you have nieces/nephews, cousins or friends in the preteen stage that you would like to be included at your wedding, ask them to be a junior bridesmaids or usher. The role is similar to the adult version: the junior bridesmaid can wear the same style gown in a coordinating or different color. Just make sure it is a more youthful design (no plunging necklines or high cut slits).
Other roles to consider:
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candle lighter
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guest book attendant
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greeter who hands out programs
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head table servers
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hands out bubbles or bird seed
Most children feel special when asked to share in your day.
VIP
Do you want to show those children who much you care about them? Have them seated at their own table. Think small. Everything from the table and chairs to the decor can be down sized for the mini me gang. You can rent or borrow kid-sized furniture. Try to have a space for the children that has easy access yet not disturb adults. Hiring a babysitter or having an adult supervise the table will keep things from getting out of hand.
As far as decorating the table, remember that children are curious little creatures. They will touch and handle anything and everything. Save candles, flower vases with water, knives…for adult tables only. Create child friendly decorations such as floral shaped cookies or lollipops. Using paper table cloths are great for drooling and spills. Goodie bags filled with coloring books, games or puzzles can keep the little ones occupied instead of wondering when the adults will be finished eating.
Dealing with children at weddings can be easy and fun. And if you have plastic cups for the little darlings, they will toast their best to your future.
Uncategorized | Vicki Hasemann | October 3, 2009
I saw a wedding where the flower girl was very young (maybe 3), and she repeatedly wandered off the isle, made pit stops to examine curiosities in the pews, and forgot to throw the flower petals on the floor. It was hilarious.
Health, Fitness for Working People — Darryl Pace
Perfect for planning a wedding. Vicki, great insight!
Leadership in Education, Kate
Great point about choosing all the kids for helping. It isnt fair to leave some of them out.
Bert (alter ego- Mister P)
MisterP.org/blog
My sister actually got 2 nanny’s this weekend so the adults could enjoy the reception. The kids where in the wedding..
It worked out great.
Scott
http://www.salesjunkie.net
http://www.scottpayne.me
Brilliant ways to include children in a wedding. How incredibly thoughtful!
Dangers of Fasting,
Katie
We opted to have no children at our wedding. There are pluses and minuses to the decision and each couple needs to decide for themselves. Great advice on what can be a touchy matter.
Steve Chambers
Sales Training Speaker
My Dad has always said, young kids make the wedding. There are fun to watch, and it is even more fun to see their parents reactions.
Robert Martin
http://www.carbuyinghq.com
It’s amazing to me how much goes into the planning of a wedding.
You perform a great service.
IDEA: I just now thought of someone who must need your site. I’m going to send her your web site.
Martin O’Connor
http://www.smallbusinessdesigncenter.com
Always difficult to please everybody – within budget!
I enjoyed weddings when I was a child – mainly for the opportunity to run amock and finish off half empty glasses of champagne!
http://www.martin-wright.com
this is one of those personal choices that there is no right answer too.
Seize the Day,
Rob
Emergency Preparedness For the 21st Century Family
Managing childrens at wedding is a challenge if not done well, then you need to have a child minding facility set up then.
John Ho
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
Never even thought of that. Thank you for the excellent idea
Jose Escalante
http://www.joseescalante.com
Excellent post! My husband and I had decided not to have small children at our wedding. On my side, only my neices and nephews over 8 years old were invited. But, my husband only had one neice and one nephew, both under 3 years old. Of course this started the only problem we had over the wedding (not between the two of us). We didn’t want our wedding remembered for the one where the ring bearer threw the pillow and ran back down the aisle crying, or where you couldn’t hear the vows because the baby was screaming. This is certainly personal choice but something definitely to be discussed early on.
Lisa McLellan
Child Care Expert,
Babysitting Services, Babysitting Tips, Babysitters, Nannies
Indeed, with the recent weddings I have been involved with, the children were teens to young adults. And involving them or NOT involving them was a significant factor.
I would love to hear your thoughts in future articles about some ways both creative and traditional for involving teens and young adults when it will be a blended family.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert