WEDDING TIPS #6 – Kids at wedding ceremonies – what could possibly go wrong?

OK, so obviously I mean those little ones, from toddlers to about 7 or 8. Or the hyperactive ones, or the ADD/ADHD ones.

Look, I always say to couples – the only expectation you should have of children is to look cute. Anything after that is a bonus.

Little flower girls and page boys in their suits and beautiful dresses look amazing but RARELY do as you hope they will.

Petals get dumped, rings get lost and tantrums get thrown. They can’t help it. It’s what they do.

It can be a loooong day in strange clothes in front of a LOT of strangers. The regular routine is missed and Mums and Dads are excitable, stressed or worse, absent.

Here’s my tip for having YOUNG kids in and at your wedding ceremony;

• Keep it short – whatever they are doing, keep it simple and short. Don’t expect them to stand patiently at the front or to appreciate the very sensitive vows being spoken. If they wanna move they will. If they wanna run around they will. So let’s keep things short.

• Keeping them clean – well, THAT is the challenge. They will trip, get dirty, spill something or ruin their outfit. Maybe leave to be the last thing they put on. And have lots of baby wipes or clothes on hand just in case.

• Who’s your back up parent on the day? If it is you that is getting married and your young child coming along and taking part, who else in the family or guests can look after them during the ceremony? Who can swoop in, offer a food bribe and take them for a walk if they start to loose the plot?

• Have a back up plan – if the Page boy/ring bearer decides they don’t want to stick around til the end of the ceremony and does a runner make sure you have a back up plan for who can bring those rings forward? Or take over the ‘thing’ the child was doing?

• Have plenty of snacks and toys on the ready – bribery is OK by me. If a cheese stick is going to get that gorgeous child down the aisle then let’s wave it. If a new Barbie doll is going to help that cutie complete their task then bring that Barbie to the party. As long as the snack or toy isn’t loud and doesn’t pull focus I say GO FOR IT.

• Set up a child friendly zone – I say have them down the front but off to the side, on a big rug. Provide lots of quiet toys or food for them and they will be quiet happy to sit with each other.

• Chaos will ensue – 100% when young kids are around chaos will be there too. If you want kids to be at your ceremony then we all have to accept a certain level of noise, disruption. They will pull focus as they come up and tug at your dress, or want to be picked up by Dad. That’s OK by me as long as that’s what you want.

So YAASSSS you can absolutely have little kids in the wedding party and/or at your ceremony. Just a little prep and some back up plans will make sure it unfolds just like you wanted it to.

Drop me a line and enquire if I am available – https://www.joboothcelebrant.com.au/contact