The wedding is your day, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave the kids out of it. There are plenty of ways to make sure your little ones have a great time at your wedding, and they’ll remember it for years to come. Whether you’re planning a small backyard wedding or an extravagant affair, your children should be included in the festivities.
Some of the most important aspects of a wedding are the details, and one detail that is often overlooked is making sure that your ceremony is a kid-friendly affair. Not everyone has children, but if you do have kids who will be attending your wedding, you’ll want to make sure they have fun and feel included in your special day.
Here are some ideas for a kids-friendly wedding:
Set up a Candy Buffet with a Variety of Candy and Nuts Instead of Desserts
Candy can be used as an alternative to cake or other desserts. The candy buffet is a great way to offer your guests a variety of sweets. You can also place nuts on the table for those who want something salty instead of sweet.
Have Kids’ Activities During Your Reception
It’s important not only to have activities for kids at your wedding but also something for them to do during the reception as well. If you’re having an outdoor reception, find some shade where children can play and take breaks from dancing and running around if needed. If there isn’t any shade available, set up tents or other coverings where kids can go if they get hot or need rest.
Have Kids-Only Activities During Cocktail Hour or Dinner
While adults are mingling and eating dinner, kids can enjoy their own activities like face painting, balloon animals, or even a photo booth! Don’t forget to capture the fun on camera! Afterward, parents can print out copies of the photos and send them home with their kids as a favor or keep them as thank-you notes.
Have Guests Bring Kids’ Toys to Share at the Reception
If you want to encourage guests to bring their kids, or even just their favorite toys, this is an easy way to ensure they’ll have something fun to do at your reception. If you want to go all out, ask them ahead of time what their kids love and then include those things in your decorating scheme so that even if their kids aren’t there (or can’t sit still), they’ll feel like part of the celebration.
Create Having a Family-Themed Wedding like “Harry Potter”
For children who love Harry Potter and want to include them in your wedding party, then this is a great option! You can even rent out a venue that looks like Hogwarts! Each child can wear their favorite Harry Potter costume and help with setup before the ceremony.
The kids will feel like they’re part of the magic and excitement when they’re decorating for the Harry Potter themed wedding. They’ll also feel included during the vows and reception by having their own table where they can sit together with their parents after dinner.
Hire Kid-Friendly Vendors
When you are planning an outdoor wedding, consider hiring a balloon artist who can create custom designs for kids and adults alike. If your budget doesn’t allow for this, consider hiring a face painter, magician, or clown instead — they can still create something unique that everyone will enjoy!
Offer Child Care Services for Younger Children
If you have younger siblings who are too young to be on their own at home, you can hire babysitters who will take care of them while the rest of the family party with you at your wedding reception.
Wrap Up
Whether you are throwing an extravagant budget-breaking affair or a small backyard gathering, consider including your children in the wedding planning process. Include them as you plan the guest list and help them create their own unique favors.
The groom and bride should also share their plans with the kids in advance so they are prepared for the big day and feel included and excited. There’s no excuse to not include your kids in this wonderful celebration! What kid doesn’t love weddings?
