Making your wedding kid friendly
Alrighty, so last week, I talked about some tips and tricks on how to navigate the awkwardness that is not having children at your wedding. I promised to follow this up with the flip side, which is actually having kiddos there for the big day. Kind of ironic that I'm writing this blog with one hand as I'm holding my now 3 week old, right!?
There are tons and tons of fun and creative ways to make your wedding kid friendly. Putting the extra effort into making your wedding kid friendly will not only keep these guests (and their parents!) happy and entertained; it'll really show that you put extra thought into their needs and wants.
First and foremost, I'm thinking of kid friendly food and snacks! Is it any surprise that this is where my head goes to right away? Small, finger friendly food will totally win your little guests over. As for the appetizers, consider things that kids are already likely familiar with - small grilled cheese sandwiches and tiny pizzas, for instance, would be a great start. Kids will be happy (which will make YOU happy!) with food choices that are familiar to them. The adults probably won't mind, either. You could also include a candy bar for kids to pick at before and after the ceremony. Fun dessert options are also a surefire way to win the kiddos over, as well - an ice cream bar, a candy apple bar... you can go wild here.
Next, think of the entertainment. The kids probably aren't going to be as interested in the ceremony, the speeches, etc., but of course, your hope is that they cooperate as much as their little bodies can handle. If you're having a wedding in the warmer months, consider some games outside. This will keep kids entertained in the moment and also burn off energy for later - yesssss! Other things you can do include a scavenger hunt with pictures (I Spy style - Pinterest has some awesome ideas here), and little puzzle or drawing stations.
There are other creative ways to include the kiddos, as well. Check out this idea from a summer wedding I helped coordinate. The bride and groom came up with the great idea of giving this little bundle to each kid as a favor. This not only kept kids entertained, but made them feel included while their parents and other guests got favors, too! Included in these buckets were little stuffed animals, bubbles, some small snacks, and fun sunglasses. They also gave each kid a clipboard and crayons that they could color with. How sweet is this?! Plus, depending on the number of kids you plan on having at your wedding, this idea could be done for super cheap. All of these items could easily be purchased at the Dollar Store but really leave a lasting impression.
So there you have it! Again, I can't reiterate enough that if you're going to have children present at your wedding, any one of these ideas could be a lifesaver. A little bit of time and effort into these ideas could go a long way in helping keep your guests entertained and feeling special, which will only help you. Comment below with any other ideas you have to make weddings kid friendly! Especially any other ideas for small, kid/finger friendly food. Yep. That's where my head is at, AGAIN. Enjoy the rest of your week, everyone!
XOXO - J
