As a photographer, and a mother of a twenty month old, I love photographing children at weddings. They look super cute on their grown-up outfits, they’re the first ones on the dance floor, and they are simply fun to be around and photograph. On the other hand, it is important to remember that above all, they are children, and their needs and schedules are different than ours. They get tired, hungry, bored and when that happens, they will not be happy, and unhappy children not always cooperate the way adults want, which is specially critical if you have children on your bridal party, and you want them to walk down the aisle, throw petals before you walk, carry rings, and smile during formal pictures.
If you treat them like guests and think ahead of time of ways to make them comfortable and keep them entertained, you can concentrate on you and your fiance and enjoy your wedding. Here are the Top Ten Things you can do to keep children entertained and happy on your wedding.
1. Bubbles. Thank God for Bubbles; they are a modern marvel. They are inexpensive, easy to carry and will keep children of all ages happy and entertained for hours. Just make sure you bring extra, specially for the children on the bridal party.
2. Flowers. Ask your florist for extra petals, and tell your flower girls they can have more petals, but after they throw the petals on their baskets down the aisle.
3. Food and water. It is important that children are fed, specially if your event extends for many hours, church, photo shoot, and then reception. So check with their parents for their meal schedule, what is OK for you to give them, and create small favor bags for them, with one small bottle of water, the approved snack, utensils, if needed, and napkins or wipes. Avoid snacks with too much sugar because it will give them extra much energy; thus making it difficult to stay put. Avoid chocolate or foods with fillings to avoid getting their clothes dirty.
4. Offer them a gift. If you know a child is going through a “phase,” or you are afraid he or she will “act” certain way, check with the parents for their favorite character. Buy a small gift with that character, and tell them they will get it if they help you do the thing you want them to do, carry rings, etc. Just make sure the gift is appropriate to their age and don’t forget the batteries.
5. Washable and nontoxic crayons and coloring books. If you are worried that children will get bored at the reception hall -most likely they will have more fun than anyone else – washable non-toxic crayons are the way to go; they will keep kids busy for a while, and they act as your wedding favor for them. Just make sure their age is appropriate as you don’t want to give crayons to babies or small children.
6. Make sure all children get something. Whatever you are giving out, bubbles, crayons, or a gift, make sure all children get one.
7. Hire a baby sitter. I don’t pretend to tell parents what to do, but if you are the bride or groom and have kids, it may be a good idea to hire a baby sitter you trust. That way, you know your children are safe and can concentrate on your wedding. Your parents and siblings get more time to enjoy the party too.
8. Keep your promises. If you promise a child something, please be sure to do it. Nothing breaks the heart of a child more, than hearing they will get something, and then not receiving it.
9. Get down to their level, and ask nicely.
10. Have fun with them.
Always check with parents and get their approval before you give or offer something to them.
