How to Include Children at Your Wedding
You might not have thought about if you want to have children at your wedding yet but it’s something to consider. There are pros and cons to any wedding choice but we want to focus in this blog post on how to include children at your wedding.
You might not have a lot of children in your family so putting a “no kids” rule in play is something you don’t even need to think about.
If you’re having a very formal wedding where there won’t be a lot for the kids to do, you might want to consider an adult only wedding simply for the logistical issues it would cause for the parents.
It’s always best to send a personal note to your friends and family letting them know what sort of wedding you’re having. The real reason to not have children at your wedding is likely simply because it’s not going to be fun for them and they have no play space or zone where they can be kids – loud and energetic.
You might be on the other end of things and you’re getting married and have children of your own. This blog is written just for you. You might get a little stumped when you think of how to include children at your wedding but we’ll walk you through some really great idea.
Having children at your wedding, and children that are close to you, brings in a really personal element to the day. Often weddings serve as an opportunity for children to play dress up but in real life – they get to leave the house looking like knights and princesses (or in some cases a superhero).
Here are our suggestions on how to include children in your wedding.
Flower Girls / Ring Bearers
Traditionally this has been a spot reserved for the younger cuties in our family or friend circles. The Knot.com notes that these duties are generally bestowed upon children between the ages of 4 and 8 years old but you can have children at any age be a part of the wedding. Children take ownership of their responsibilities and get to dress up and really take part in the ceremony.
If you can’t decide on one child, have multiple flower girls or ring bearers. Especially if you have a particularly young on participating. The older children can help keep a very small child on task and help them overcome any fear of performing in front of all those people.
Town Criers
Another trend that’s catching on to give children a job during the wedding ceremony is a town crier. Once the wedding party as made their entrance, hand an outgoing youngster a bell as have him announce the bride’s impending entrance. This is a great way to add a splash of flair to your ceremony and give an energetic youth an appropriate vehicle to expend any pent up energy.
Not sure what a town crier really does?
Well here’s a great video to show you a bit more of the traditional take on it.
Ushers
Children may have a hard time sitting still while waiting on the festivities to begin. Give them a job that’ll keep them busy and give them a reason to move about. Usher can escort in guests and also simply tell guests where to sit or where the bathrooms are. If you have grand exit decor (like bubbles or bird seed) they can hand this out as well. They can hand out programs or other wedding favours to arriving guests too. Junior ushers can be an indispensable tool in your wedding party affairs.
Child Toast
Public speaking remains one of the most common fears among adults. Give the children in your life a task of toasting the bride and groom so they can practice in a comfortable setting how to command the room and deliver a rock star speech. Work with them before the event and make sure they have plenty of practice. A junior toast is sure to be sweet, heartfelt, and a stand out moment on your big day.
Reception Performances
Do the children in your life have any performance talents that would add spice to your reception? Including children by allowing them to read a poem, sing a song, or perform a dance is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding day. You’ll have a stage, let the children in your life help you shine. If time permits, put together a choreographed dance routine to a golden oldie and invite your younger relatives to show off their moves.
Family Unity Ceremony
If you’re blending two family units together on your wedding day have a special spot in your vows and take a moment to do a family unity ceremony. This can be as simple as having a reading done by your commissioner and having the kids join you at the front. You could also give them a gift at this time – something to remember the day by.
Outdoor Games and Activities
Cocktail hour allows for the perfect time for children to run round and burn off some energy. If your venue allows it, set up some fun outdoor games to keep kids and their parents busy. Some popular games include bean bag toss, giant jenga, horse shoes and ladder ball. This option is perfect for the DIY or budget conscious bride as many of these games can be created at home.
Say Cheese
Plan to take a special group photo with the bride and groom and all the children invited to the wedding. Do a regular shot and then let loose and do some silly pictures too! It’s a great way to remember your special day and will be sure to bring a smile to your face. It’s a good idea to let your photographer/wedding planner know in advance of this idea so they can suggest the perfect time to make it happen.
Where the Cool Kids Sit
If the children at your wedding are old enough to hold their own, invite them to sit at a kid’s table. This is a fun way to make them feel special while keeping them entertained as you make your way through dinner and speeches. Do your children have a favourite babysitter? Its not a bad idea to add him or her to the guest list. They can supervise the table and help keep the little guys under control while mom and dad are busy.
Activity Books
Regardless if they are sitting at a kid’s table or not, giving the children something to do to keep busy is very important. Pinterest is buzzing with creative ideas to help get you started; everything from word searches, to colouring pages, even a photo scavenger hunt will help keep the kiddo’s entertained all night long!
Milk & Cookies
Letting your mini me help pick the children’s desert is a great way to include children in your wedding planning. There are so many fun treats and ideas when it come to food and beverage. Set up a smores station or a sundae bar, dream up a special virgin cocktail for the bar or instead of a cake, serve donuts. When in doubt serve milk and cookies; even the grown ups will want to sneak a bite!
Dance Party
Get ready to bust a move, have your DJ invite all the children to the dance floor for a special children only dance. No parents allowed! Pick a fun song or even a short mix including songs like Happy by Pharrell Williams or Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake.
Children add a lot of fun to our lives in general. Their innocence and appreciation for life are bound to make their involvement in any aspect of your wedding day that much more memorable. Including children in your wedding, at any point, provides them with an experience they’ll cherish and won’t soon forget.
