How to Keep the Children at a Wedding Happy

October 11th, 2010

Many people believe that having children at a wedding adds to the joyous atmosphere of the occasion. If the bride and groom have a lot of young relations, they may well have lots of little ones running around at their wedding. The trick is to encourage the children to enjoy your wedding, while keeping them under enough control that the adults can also enjoy the festivities. These are some practical ideas on how to keep the children at a wedding happy.

If you have a flower girl and a ring bearer in your bridal party, the first thing you should do is to help them understand their roles and make them feel very special. There are some very cute books and coloring books available for junior attendants that show exactly what they will do at the wedding. When the kids know what is coming, the chances that they will actually make it through the ceremony increase considerably. Make your little ones feel a part of the event by giving pretty girls jewelry to your flower girls and small gifts to your ring bearers when you hand out the bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts.

Set the table for success at your wedding reception. A lot of little kids do not like fancy or unfamiliar foods, so request a special childrens’ menu from the caterer. Not only will the children be far more likely to eat chicken fingers than lobster thermidor, you will save some money on the catering bill. Activities can be key to keeping the children at your wedding entertained and happy. Sticker books, crayons and coloring books, and even simple crafts can all be helpful tools. And of course, don’t overlook how much fun kids (and adults) of all ages can have on the dance floor. A great band or d.j. will make your wedding more entertaining for everyone.

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Including Nieces and Nephews in Your Wedding

November 24th, 2009

If you have a lot of young relations running around, you might be wondering how best to include the little ones in your wedding. Children of all ages can have a role in a wedding, and their spirit always adds something special to the festivities. These are some ideas on how to include your nieces and nephews in your wedding.
The most common role for young children is ring bearer or flower girl. This tends to work the best for children who are between the ages of three and eight years old. The flower girl (or girls) can either carry a small bouquet of flowers or a basket of petals to toss (if permitted by your venue). They are usually dressed in sweet little dresses with patent leather shoes and possibly wear a floral wreath in their hair. The bride should plan on giving flower girl gifts to the little ones. Traditional flower girl gifts include silver lockets or very dainty pearl pendants.
The ring bearer theoretically carries the wedding bands down the aisle to the altar (I say theoretically because the rings on the pillow are often fakes). If you had two little boys and wanted each to be a ring bearer, they could each carry a small pillow, one with the bride’s wedding band, and one with the groom’s ring (or the facsimiles). When you have a larger number of nephews, they can be pages.  Pages traditionally help to carry the bride’s train.

Older nieces and nephews can be invited to participate in the wedding as junior bridesmaids or groomsmen. This is a bridge position for a child who is too old to be a flower girl or ring bearer, but too young to be a full fledged bridesmaid or groomsmen. The typical age range for junior attendants is around nine to fourteen. Once they are about fifteen or sixteen years old, they are ready to be regular bridesmaids or groomsmen. The junior bridesmaids will wear dresses which are similar in style to the bridesmaids’ dresses, only a more demure and age appropriate. It is wonderful fun to include as many of your nieces and nephews in your wedding as you like.

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