Having your children present on your wedding day makes it even more magical for you and your partner. Your kids are the result of your love for one another and being able to share your wedding with them is something you will all treasure forever. But planning a wedding your kids can get involved in, can be challenging. Your idea of a luxury wedding probably doesn’t have a superhero or princess theme involved. So to plan the big day you’ve always dreamed of and to keep your kids entertained in the process, use these simple steps to help you.
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Give yourself sufficient planning time
It’s no secret that weddings take a lot of time to plan and execute. Some couples will use every second of their free time to attend wedding fairs, look at venues and try out different caterers. When you have children, you don’t have as much free time to your disposal, especially with very young children. So before you do anything else you need to give yourself plenty of time to plan your wedding. Be realistic and don’t give yourself too much to do in too little time. Do a small task per day which won’t take you away from your children for too long or make you feel overwhelmed. This can make your whole family feel stressed out and negative about your wedding day. So make lists and set deadlines that ensure you get everything done at a relaxing pace ahead of time.
Get your children to help you
The best way to plan a child-friendly wedding is by asking your kids for help. This can make them feel more involved in the planning process and can give you lots of insight into what they want and need. So compile some options for venues, food and entertainment and ask them for their opinion. While it’s important to keep your children happy, remember this is your big day. So only show them options that you consider appropriate to the look and feel of your wedding. You could also ask them to help you complete some of your more fun tasks. For instance, they could help you create your laser cut wedding invites by sticking certain pieces together. Or they could draw pictures that you can use for centerpieces on each of the tables or for your thank-you cards. Creating simple favours for your guests is something else that can get involved in.
Consider a babysitter for your reception
Receptions can be long and tedious for children, making them tired out and fed up. This can lead to tantrums meaning that you, and your partner spending less time with your guests. So hiring a babysitter to take them to bed and keep them entertained could be an ideal solution. It will put your mind at ease knowing they are being looked after and gives you more time to spend with your guests to celebrate as adults. Why not organize a kids party in a spare room at your venue where the babysitter can keep an eye on the children. This room can have age appropriate games, books, snacks and comfortable seating that the kids can use during the reception. Alternatively for an outdoor wedding, you can have a tent or gazebo set up. This is a thoughtful touch to your big day and allows you and the parents in attendance to relax knowing that their children are happy and having fun. Ask your venue for their recommendations also, as they may have kids entertainers available that you can hire. Also, discuss with your DJ and caterer about child-friendly food and music you can provide.
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Include them in the ceremony
If your children are old enough, why not give them a special role in your ceremony. Ring bearers, flower girls and bridesmaids are popular choices. Giving them a role will make them more excited about your big day and eager to please you. But don’t make it too complicated or it may make them feel anxious. Get them to carry a balloon, basket or sign that announces that you have arrived and get them to walk down the aisle in front of you. This is straightforward and fun without making them feel too nervous in front of all your guest.
These steps should have helped you feel more confident about planning and creating a wedding that you and your children will enjoy. Having your kids there to witness such a special occasion in your life will make the day even more memorable. So use these steps and get your child-friendly wedding planning started today.
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