Kid-Friendly Weddings: How to Handle Children at your Ceremony
Children at weddings as in all places can be dazzling angels and cute
little wonders, or nightmarish monsters and screaming terrors. Keeping
a wedding peaceful and enjoyable with youngsters can be a challenge,
but it is achievable with the right tactics. Keep in mind the three I's
when trying to best decide how to keep children on their best behavior
during the wedding:
Inclusion
One
of the best ways to make kids realize the importance of the wedding,
while simultaneously making them feel loved, significant, and
entertained, is to include
children all through the wedding, whether its planning it out, running
errands, or being a part of the ceremony themselves.
While planning your wedding, ask
kids and teens for help and suggestions on colors, dress styles,
flowers, etc. Taking children on weddings errands with you can be a fun
experience, and even if it's a bore a reward for good behavior such as
an ice cream or trip to a favorite place can make the day worthwhile.
Either way, a child can feel proud and included when they can tell
everyone that It was me! who picked the fun song or the balloon
bouquet or the necklace the bride is wearing. If a child has musical
talent, invite them to perform at your wedding. Even a youngster
bleating on a trumpet is an adorable hit. Before and after the wedding,
have kids help you open presents, keep lists, and write cute thank you
notes.
The most popular way of including kids is to have them as
part of the ceremony. Flower girls are usually young girls of 4-8 who
walk in the ceremony after the maid or matron of honor. Ring bearers
can be boys or girls who carry either the real or imitation wedding
rings on a pillow to the altar. For older children, it is possible to
ask them to stand as junior bridesmaids or groomsmen or stand as
attendants during the ceremony. Mothers with sons can opt to have their
sons give them away instead or in lieu of fathers. When kids are
included they feel essential and take their roles seriously and with
pride - not to mention the charming touch they give to the ceremony!
Independence
A
kid hates nothing more than to be forced into something. A wedding can
seem drab to uninterested and younger children, and being forced to go
is bad enough. Giving children a little bit of leeway and consideration
goes a long way for their temper and behavior.
If you have older
kids going to a wedding, give them the color scheme and let them pick
their own outfits. You may disagree over modesty and style, but kids,
especially teenagers, would rather wear an outfit you compromised on
than something picked out for them.
Everyone wants a picture of
their darling on the wedding day, but kids with little patience don't
want to stand around and wait for them. Let the photos of the children
be taken first, before the grass stains and tears start to show, and
then let them off the hook while the more patient adults take photos.
Also, remember to introduce kids to the photographer so that candid
photos are of cute smiles and not "Who are you?" stares.
Interest
Keeping
children entertained also keeps them quiet and out of the way, while
still keeping them on hand for good photos and inclusion in the
festivities.
Activities at a children's table are a good way to
keep avid minds engaged. Coloring books provide entertainment for a
range of ages. Giving kids disposable cameras keeps them part of the
action and can result in cute, candid, surprising, and hilarious
photos. If the venue allows it, bubbles and confetti provide endless
entertainment and aesthetic appeal to young children through teenagers.
Board games, jigsaw puzzles, piñatas, and all sorts of entertainment
aimed at kids is perfect for keeping their young minds busy and out of
trouble.
Favors are also a hug hit with kids. A small bag with
some toys, juice boxes, or small snacks can keep kids happy. Other
gifts will provide joy and fun that children will appreciate and
utilize.
With these tips, your wedding may well be
remembered by the kids as a really fun time they had, instead of the
boring ceremony they might have dreaded!
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