Are your children attending your wedding? Check my 10 top tips on how to feel relaxed and occupy your kids at your wedding.
- Talk to them in advanced and let them know what will happen on the day, even my 3 year old is able to understand when I get down to his level and gently explain what is going to happen.
- Dedicate one trusted family member to care for your children throughout the day. Having multiple people can be problematic as each person may think the other has the little ones.
- Show your children what you plan to wear on the day, as a wedding dress is vastly different to jeans and a t shirt and I have seen many little ones get upset seeing mummy wearing a lot of make up and wearing something they can’t comfortably be cuddled in.
- Set time aside before the ceremony to spend a few minutes with your little ones. Explain that they need to sit with their family member and listen to what happens. Giving them some time before the ceremony will help to lessen any feelings of being left out and will satiate any need for mummy or daddy cuddles before the ceremony.
- Garden games can allow children to let off some pent up energy after sitting still during the ceremony is a fab way to manage your childrens energy. Expecting children to sit quietly all day is unrealistic and could contribute to a meltdown.
- Provide age-appropriate activities for them to play with during the sit-down meal. Children can eat quickly or not at all, so entertainment packs with stickers, temporary tattoos, bubbles, crayons (no markers for obvious reasons) and puzzles are all good options.
- If possible ask your wedding venue for a spare room to use for children to relax in.
- Consider hiring a children’s entertainer to allow all adults to fully relax at your wedding a children’s creche will keep them entertained for hours and you don’t need to be responsible for all the activities.
- If photographs with your little ones are important, talk to your photographer about setting some time aside for photographs with your little ones at a time that will suit their schedule. This will help to get the best out of them.
- Arrange for them to have a sleep over with someone they are comfortable with so you can enjoy your first night as man and wife without being mummy and daddy.
I hope these help you have a relaxed day. My own daughter (aged 8 at the time) had a complete meltdown thinking I didn’t love her anymore when our officiant said ‘we only had love for each other’.
Check out Pippa and Joe’s recent wedding where their wonderful children behaved a lot better than mine!
Church: Sacred Heart Church, Caterham, Surrey.
Wedding reception: Bysshe Court Barn, Horley, Surrey.
Joe + Pippa’s wedding was a relaxed and happy affair. I have never seen a more smiley bride and I have never seen such a mad dance floor, it was constantly packed and serious shapes were being thrown all, in fact, I think I photographed a rave. The epic band All The Feels Collective were sensational. Check them out!
Tell me the story of how you met and fell in love?
We have known each other for around 20 years. Joe is my cousin’s mate. In 2011 we went away for my aunties’ 50th to Spain for the weekend…got talking…Joe took me to Nandos and here we are now!
When and where did you get engaged?
In Colorado in February 2018, Skiing down Frank’s run on Copper Mountain. Joe stopped and said he needed to get his Chapstick out (If you know anything about Joe and his bloody chapsticks he is obsessed) I said I would meet him at the bottom of the mountain and he produced a ring!
What style/theme have you chosen for your wedding day?
We are very chilled and unorganised, so that sort of theme!
Top tips for wedding planning:
Make sure each aspect of it is how you would want it to be, not anyone else.
Check out another church and barn wedding here.
