Should I invite children to my wedding?
Please know that I currently have baby fever. I have nothing against children and are for them. Every child should be invited to a wedding, but you also need to be prepared!
Children are a beautiful gift from God. Period. However, when you put a child in an environment they are unprepared for, they can become loud and an absolute headache to please. If you are a bride questioning the invitation to be extended for children that you love, I think they should be invited. Children can be an asset to a memorable and fun wedding.
Guys, some of the best weddings I have ever been to is when two little boys had a dance off flossing. If you know the floss, I wish you could of seen it. They lit up the whole dance floor that not a single adult wanted to be on until they saw these sweet boys. I can see the family remembering this as one of the highlights to the wedding and will be able to share this as a memory for when they grow older. However, not all your little guests have the ability or desire to dance. Most of them like to do the complete opposite, so here are some ideas to making your children guests and YOU 100% satisfied.
When inviting the children, include a section on your website on how to prepare parents bringing their children.
A lot of people build their wedding websites on the Knot, you could consider adding a section specifically about how your parents can prepare bringing their children by informing them of what the wedding is offering them. Letting parents know that you are open to their littles coming and that it is communicated what their children at your wedding will look like.
2. Consider your escorts to encourage parents with young children to sit on the outside edges
Having parents to sit on the outside edges of the ceremony space will offer them a place to step out easily without causing a commotion. Often times, little ones can get upset on a daily basis, especially when in constrained spaces and without something to do. Letting parents sit on the outside edges with a place to escape will help to reduce likeliness of a child being upset to disrupt the ceremony for long.
3. Provide the children with something to do during the ceremony
Have you ever been to a restaurant that doesn’t offer children an activity packet and crayons? Nightmare. Put together an activity packet for your little guests! Something that is entertaining enough to last the entire ceremony if needed and something quiet enough to prevent disruption.
4. Host fun stations for the cocktail hour and reception
If you are inviting kids to the wedding for them to be a part of it, you want to incorporate things to do that will be enticing for them to join.
Bounce House! A recent fad in the Tennessee wedding world is hosted out of Nashville called Jump Married TN. It is a pure white bounce house. I could see this being the highlight to not only every child, but adult! They travel for Chattanooga weddings at reasonable rates and offer a memorable aspect to a wedding. Here is their website: jumpmarried.com
Coloring station filled with not only coloring sheets for children but also adults! Did you know that Taco Bell offers free coloring sheets on their website? You are welcome: Taco Bell coloring sheets.
Lawn games have also become a great addition to the wedding industry. Human sized checkers, tic tac, Jenga, or fun outdoor lawn games Spikeball have been officially offered and encouraged to all cocktail hours and reception.
Bring on the photo booth! Talk about a pit stop for children that is going to bring out your belly laughs. Can you imagine scrolling through your wedding to find your sweet little cousins making funny pictures. P r i c e l e s s.
A candy station is by far one of my most favorite memories from a wedding. The bride had a sweet tooth and incorporated an entire candy bar that was with every candy blue. It was not only cute but entertaining and satisfying for everyone. You can even make this yourself with all your favorites and putting them in glass jars. For the guests who are like you, provide little baggies and encourage guests to take some with them! Guest favors, check!
I hope that you were able to find some solutions to your question here. I strongly enjoy sharing what I have learned and want people to have the best day possible! Please know that no one mentioned are paid endorsements and I only attach the specifics to help.
Cheers,
Emily
