Monitor Kids At Weddings: A Guide For Parents

It can be challenging to decide whether or not to invite children to your wedding. If you do, it's important to consider how to keep them entertained and ensure they don't disrupt the ceremony or reception. One option is to provide a separate room or area for children, supervised by childcare providers, with activities such as board games, movies, and art projects. Another option is to seat children with their parents and provide a small activity pack to keep them occupied during the ceremony and speeches. If you're concerned about disruptive behaviour, it may be helpful to speak directly to the parents beforehand and set clear expectations. Ultimately, it's up to the parents to monitor their children's behaviour, but providing a child-friendly environment and clear communication can help ensure that everyone has a enjoyable time at your wedding.

How to politely ask parents to control their children at a wedding

Deciding whether or not to invite children to your wedding can be a tricky decision. If you do decide to invite children, it's important to be prepared for anything and set clear expectations for parents. Here are some tips on how to politely ask parents to control their children at your wedding:

Be Clear About Your Expectations

It is important to communicate your expectations to parents in a clear and respectful manner. You can do this by having a conversation with them before the wedding or including a polite note in the invitation. For example, you could say something like, "We are thrilled to have your family at our wedding. We kindly request that you keep an eye on your little ones during the ceremony and reception as we want to ensure that all our guests can fully enjoy the celebrations."

Address the Envelopes Properly

When sending out invitations, it is important to address the envelopes correctly. The traditional way to indicate that a child is invited is to include their name on the invitation. If you are using both an outer and inner envelope, the child's parents' names should go on the outer envelope, while the child's name should be written beneath the parents' names on the inner envelope.

Make a Phone Call

After sending out invitations, consider calling your friends and family members who have children to explain your wishes. This personal touch can help avoid any confusion or hurt feelings. It is also a good opportunity to offer childcare services or suggestions if needed.

Provide Entertainment and Activities for Children

To help keep children occupied and reduce the risk of disruptions, consider providing age-appropriate entertainment and activities. This could include colouring books, puzzles, games, or even a separate kids' room with supervised activities.

Offer a Separate Space for Children

If possible, provide a separate space for children to play and relax away from the main festivities. This could be a kids' table at the reception or a designated room with childcare provided. This allows parents to enjoy the wedding while knowing their children are safe and entertained.

Be Mindful of Seating Arrangements

When planning the seating arrangements, consider seating children aged 7 to 14 at a separate table. For younger children under 7, it is recommended to seat them in a different room with childcare provided. This will help reduce disruptions and allow parents to relax and enjoy the celebrations.

Provide Child-Friendly Food Options

Offer child-friendly food options to keep children happy and well-fed. This could include kid-friendly snacks such as sandwiches, carrot sticks, and fruit slices. Consider providing a small buffet or individual meals specifically for children.

Remember, it is important to be respectful and considerate when communicating your wishes to parents. By providing clear guidance and offering appropriate accommodations, you can help ensure that both the parents and their children have a positive and enjoyable experience at your wedding.

How to address wedding invitations to parents with children

When it comes to addressing wedding invitations to parents with children, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to be clear about whether or not children are invited to the wedding. This can be indicated on the invitation itself by including the child's name on the invitation, or on an inner envelope if using double envelopes. If you would like to request an adults-only wedding, there are subtle ways to convey this message. For example, phrases like "intimate ceremony" or "cocktail reception" held at a "luxury hotel" can suggest an adult-only event.

Once you have decided on your guest list and whether children are included, it is important to address your envelopes explicitly. The traditional way is to include the child's name on the invitation if they are invited. If using both an outer and inner envelope, the child's parents' names go on the outer, and the child's name is written beneath on the inner envelope. If only using an outer envelope, be sure to include the child's name. For children over 18, it is customary to send a separate invitation, even if they are still living at home.

To avoid any confusion or hurt feelings, it is recommended to call guests with children after sending the invitation to explain whether or not your wedding is child-friendly. This is especially helpful if you are worried about guests bringing children against your wishes, or if you are arranging childcare services.

When it comes to the day itself, there are a few things to consider to include children and keep them occupied. You may want to provide a separate kids' table or room with childcare, or seat families with similarly aged children together. It is also a good idea to provide kid-friendly food and snacks, and some simple activities or entertainment to keep them busy during the ceremony and speeches. Ultimately, it is the parents' responsibility to monitor their children, but these steps can help ensure a smooth and enjoyable day for all.

How to communicate with parents about your child-friendly wedding

Communicating with parents about your child-friendly wedding can be a tricky task, but with clear and thoughtful messaging, you can ensure that both parents and children have a wonderful time at your celebration. Here are some tips to help you navigate this situation gracefully:

Be Clear and Direct in Your Invitations:

Use your wedding invitations to explicitly state whether children are invited or not. This can be done by including their names on the invitation or inner envelope if using double envelopes. If you are having a child-free wedding, it is generally not recommended to explicitly state "adults only" on the invitation. Instead, use subtle phrases like "intimate ceremony" or "cocktail reception" held at a "luxury hotel" to imply a child-free event. You can also address your envelopes properly to indicate who is invited, for example, by writing the names of those invited on the inner envelope.

Make Personal Phone Calls:

After sending your invitations, consider calling your friends and family members with children to clarify your wedding plans. This personal touch will help avoid any confusion or hurt feelings. It is also a great opportunity to explain your decision and discuss any concerns they may have. If you are providing childcare services, this is an excellent time to let them know their children will be well taken care of during the wedding.

Offer Alternative Entertainment for Children:

If you have decided to invite children, it is important to keep them occupied during the wedding. You can provide activity packs, colouring books, puzzles, or small toys to keep them entertained. You can also set up a separate "kids' table" or "kids' room" with supervised activities like board games, movies, and simple art projects. If your budget allows, consider hiring entertainers such as magicians or puppeteers.

Provide Child-Friendly Food Options:

Offer kid-friendly food options to keep your little guests happy and well-fed. Include soft drinks and kid-friendly snacks like sandwiches, carrot sticks, and fruit slices. Children aged 13 and up may be able to eat adult fare, but it is a good idea to check with parents beforehand.

Be Mindful of Seating Arrangements:

When it comes to seating, consider the age of the children and their need to be near their parents. For children aged 7 to 14, a separate "kids' table" can be a fun option, giving them some independence while allowing parents uninterrupted time to socialise. For younger children, seating them with their parents or in a separate room with childcare may be more appropriate.

Prepare for the Unexpected:

Despite your best efforts, remember that children can be unpredictable. Be prepared for the possibility of crying babies or restless toddlers. Let parents know that it is perfectly fine to step out of the room if needed, especially during the ceremony. You can also designate a quiet outdoor space or a separate room where parents can take their children if they need a break.

Remember, open communication and thoughtful planning will go a long way in ensuring that your child-friendly wedding is a success. Be considerate of the needs of parents and children, and don't be afraid to reach out and have honest conversations with your guests.

Where to seat children at a wedding

When it comes to seating children at your wedding, there are a few options to consider. The best choice will depend on the ages of the children and the preferences of their parents.

Seating Children with Their Parents

One option is to seat children with their parents at the same table. This option works well for younger toddlers and infants who need more supervision and attention. It's a good idea to seat parents with young children at the heads of tables to allow room for highchairs or prams.

Creating a Kids' Table

Another option is to create a dedicated kids' table. This can be a fun way to give children some independence and allow their parents to socialise with other adults. However, this option is more suitable for older children, as younger ones may require more assistance during the meal. It's recommended to have children no younger than 8 at the kids' table. Consider hiring some help to supervise the kids' table and encourage good behaviour.

A Mix of Both

If a separate children's table doesn't appeal, you can seat families with similarly aged children together. This way, the kids can be with their friends and entertained, while their parents are still close at hand.

Other Considerations

• Provide fun favours or age-appropriate goodie bags for the children, such as sweets, small games, colouring books or printable games.
• Cover the kids' table with kraft paper and provide crayons so they can draw on the "tablecloth".
• Ensure there are kid-friendly food options on the menu.
• If you have a lot of children attending, consider organising a babysitter or childminder to manage them during the reception or later in the evening.

How to keep children entertained at a wedding

If you're inviting children to your wedding, there are a few things you can do to ensure they are entertained and that their parents are aware of your wishes for the day. Firstly, it's a good idea to be clear on the invite that children are invited. You could also give any children in the wedding party some preparation before the ceremony, such as practising walking down the aisle. If you're worried about crying babies, you could announce at the beginning of the ceremony that it's fine for parents to leave the room if needed.

To keep children entertained, you could:

• Provide soft drinks and child-friendly snacks, such as sandwiches, carrot sticks, and apple slices.
• Set up a colouring competition with wedding-themed printables and colouring pads.
• Organise giant garden games, such as Connect 4, Hook A Duck, and giant Jenga.
• Create a kids-only area with a tent, cushions, games, and books.
• Set up a treasure hunt with clues to find hidden items around the venue.
• Give all the children disposable cameras and a list of photos to take, such as a photo of the cake being cut.
• Hire an entertainer, such as a magician or a science entertainer.
• Set up a kids' dance floor with a child-friendly playlist before the adult dancing begins.
• Organise games in the courtyard, such as ping-pong, foosball, or a sack race.
• Set up a craft table with wedding-themed activities, such as making a wedding card or decorating a cupcake.
• Create a kids-only photobooth with dressing-up costumes and fun props.
• Set up an outdoor cinema with cushions and bowls of popcorn.
• Provide party bags with treats and a slice of cake for the children to take home.

If you're concerned about children disrupting your wedding, you could include a polite reminder on your wedding website or in a mass message to parents. For example, you could say that the ceremony and reception will be recorded and request that parents are mindful of noise interruptions. You could also suggest that there is an outdoor space where children can go if they are being disruptive. Ultimately, however, it is the parents' responsibility to monitor their children's behaviour.

Frequently asked questions