Can Kids Attend? Solving that Big Dilemma for your Wedding

Articles on Kids | Topics: kids, kid

by Yanira A. Zamora

Can Kids Attend? Solving that Big Dilemma for your Wedding

So, you are thinking about your wedding and the corresponding reception. You have now gotten down to the choices on the age of guests that should be present for the evening. Keep this in mind, kids really enjoy a big party, and tend to be the life of it. It is not always the case that the mixing of children and receptions will go off without a hitch. There are many considerations that go into having children as guests for a reception; this sort of thing needs to have a solid plan in place. Children can be a major (and fun) part of your wedding and parents appreciate not having to hire a sitter. If you plan for them in advance, everyone can have a good time.

Seating

As little people have very tiny bodies, they have a need to be placed in a seat that is easy for them to see over the table and eat comfortably. They more than likely will be seated separately from the adults whom may be drinking, or having a conversation that they wish not to be disturbed. It is always possible to rent smaller tables and chairs to accommodate little people. Consider covering the kid's table with butcher paper and giving them crayons or play-doh.

Comfort Foods

You must bear in mind that many of the dishes you may serve at the reception could easily turn a nose up from children. For obvious reasons, the menu should include little people friendly foods. Many of the dishes served could offend a child. Incorporating the likes of macaroni and cheese or chicken strips can make an otherwise loud and fussy moment calm before you know it, not to mention it is reasonably cheap to add to the menu.

Attention and Entertainment

Bit of History

If you are willing to inconvenience yourself in the name of discipline, the battle is half over. Leave Grandma’s early if the children are acting impossible. Depart the ballpark in the sixth inning if you’ve warned the kids and their behavior is still poor. If we do something like this once, our kids will remember it for a long time.

—Fred G. Gosman (20th century)

Adding some games that are geared towards the kids. This also allows for time to actually catch your breath. As the kids games are in the process, it gives you time to sit, or wander and associate with the guests. As many of the games at the reception could easily be centered on the bride and groom or adults, mixing in some small people games could make the kids feel included. It is not a bad idea to add coloring books or small board games. It really should be allowable for the young ones to bring their pocket video game systems as this is just another means of entertainment, and keeps them occupied when bored. Consider games such as Twister or even incorporate fun dancing tunes.

Babysitting

Another good idea is to have a young person or group of young people to designate as sitters. This is a great idea for the actual ceremony. Most churches have rooms just for this purpose. It also gives the parents a chance to enjoy the ceremony with no interruption. This will keep the young ones in check during the moments when kids interaction really is not appreciated. The sitter can keep the kids occupied and manage the evening involving the children. This will give you and any guests whom have kids present the opportunity to relax and be with friends and family, and keep everything relatively calm.

Everyone On The Dance Floor!

The great thing about having kids at the reception is that they love to dance. Somehow children seem to get everyone up and moving. It doesn't matter the song or the mood, kids just get right into dancing and are not afraid of what someone will think of them. Generally, kids have high self-esteem and it easily runs off to the rest of the crowd. Even some who may never dance seem to flock to the floor as kids lead the way showing all that the reception is for fun and laughter. Many a photo have been captured on the dance floor when kids are involved, they seem to bring the inner kid out in all of us.

Of the some 46,000 marriages performed weekly in the US alone, more and more are involving children. This could be attributed to the fact that there are may second marriages with children already involved. People these days are recognizing the need to plan weddings around the fact that children are there, as it is a marriage of not just a man and a woman, rather a new family. Children are becoming a main steam in weddings these days with the need for flower girls and ring bearers; their place in the wedding party is increasingly being solidified. So it should be, include your kids on this special day, it is worth it.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Can Kids Attend? Solving that Big Dilemma for your Wedding" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FamilyBabyKids.com.

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