Children in your wedding party?

Children and  dogs are unpredictable. If you are thinking of having young children in your wedding party, here are some things to think about, and plan ahead for:

What is the personality of your little niece? Do you really know her? Is she so shy she may not even make it down the aisle? So many little children have found all those ‘tall grown ups’ on both sides of the aisle very intimidating on the wedding day itself.  You need to plan for the personalities of each child involved. Have they ever been in a wedding party before – or even been to a wedding?  Do they really understand what is expected of them on the day? Do they know how to behave? Are they ‘hams’, or shy natured?  You might consider having two or three young children walk down the aisle together in a cluster – like the Royals do. The children will be much more relaxed and happier about this less formal arrangement.   No bride will truly ever have complete control over what may (or may not) happen as they come down the aisle. My advice? – Plan for success and wisely, expect the unexpected.

How can this be more fun for each child? What if you gave each child not a flower basket, but a stuffed animal or doll they will keep after the service? The cost is surely the same as a basket and fresh flowers and they may delight in this thoughtful surprise. Some teddy bears can even be dressed’ ‘bridal ‘. They will forever have a fun remembrance of their starring role in your wedding party.   Your niece is angelic.  How about a set of fairy wings? She’ll have lots of fun wearing them for the whole day. Or is your nephew a macho man? A truck or transformer presented to him that has the wedding rings carefully tied on a satin ribbon to his new truck?  You’re guaranteed great pictures of a smiling happy boy at your wedding!

And after the service, their job is done, so now what?  Some parents really do want an adult evening away from children. Are the few children present going to be bored? Is there anyone else around to play with? In my experience the answers to these questions are yes and no – in that order, so may I suggest you discuss these issues with the parents ahead of time. Perhaps make arrangements for someone to come to your wedding location and take them home? Now it has just become a delightful parent’s night out; the kids are going home happy to sleep. Or have plans been made with your caterer for simple child friendly foods?   Can they be served a wee bit earlier than the main meal? Or are there enough children that you will hire someone fun to organize and set up a few children’s activities that are quiet and age suitable. Bring a portable DVD player with a few, sure fire kid hits. Or plan a fast trip to the dollar store to buy fun arts and crafts activities; glue and stickers.

If you can, it would be great to have a quieter area at your venue set aside. Just a little bit of planning ahead can reap great rewards in creating a wedding experience that is sweetly memorable for you as the couple and the special children in your life that you both love. Something else to consider: a wedding pyjama party! Yeah! With sleeping bags, cousins, and staying up late as the big treat. The parents will be carrying home sleepy, happy children.