Deciding whether to invite kids to your wedding can be tricky — it’s impossible to please everyone! If you’ve decided to welcome little guests, a bit of forward planning goes a long way to making sure everyone, young and old, has a brilliant day.
Here are 6 helpful tips to know if you’re inviting kids to your wedding.
Well done on making your decision and sticking to it! The one thing every parent knows is this: if the kids aren’t happy, no one is happy. So a little planning now means a much smoother day for all your guests later.
#1. Most Important Tip – Be Clear on Invitation
The first and most important tip is to decide early on whether you’re inviting kids, and then be very clear about who is invited on your invitation.
If children are invited, you can name them individually or simply add “and family” to your invite. You could also set an age cutoff if that suits you better — for example, “no children under 8, please.”
#2. Bring in the Professionals
Consider hiring a professional minder or babysitting service to look after the children on the day. A good childminding service will arrive discreetly, set up in a dedicated room, and keep your little VIPs entertained and happy for as long as you need.
If you’re considering this option, look for a vetted, insured service in your area and book well ahead of the wedding.
#3. Entertainment for the Kids
Organise activities to keep the children occupied, such as toys, books, bubbles, colouring, or a tablet loaded with a favourite show (as a last resort!). You could also ask the parents of children attending to bring along a few toys or colouring pages to help get things started.
Having a few activities on hand will be invaluable to all your guests — and well worth the forward thinking.
#4. Dining Tips
A little planning can make the dining experience much better for guests of all ages.
- Print out kids’ own “place mats” — easy-to-download colouring sheets in landscape format, or ready-made versions bought online. Make sure there are plenty of crayons on each table to avoid squabbles.
- Provide simple activity packs with stickers, colouring sheets, or finger puppets.
- If you’re serving canapés, have some snacks ready for the kids, like veggie sticks or cheese cubes — they’ll likely be hungry and won’t thank you for the smoked trout pâté!
- Ask the venue to serve children’s meals alongside the adult starters, since kids will usually have had a long day and be ready to eat.
- Ask if a separate room can be set up for the kids, with a movie playing, so they have somewhere to go once they’ve had enough of sitting at the table.
#5. Dance Routine
Ask a child-friendly aunt, family friend, or willing teenager to help the children prepare a short dance routine to perform during the evening. It’s a great way to keep them occupied for a while, and they’ll love “surprising” the bridal party with their performance.
#6. Try to Relax and Enjoy
Don’t forget to relax and enjoy the day. And if you spot a little hand reaching for one of the handmade flowers on the cake, don’t panic — ask your photographer to capture the moment instead. It’ll likely become one of your favourite photos to look back on and laugh about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I invite children to my wedding?
It’s entirely a personal choice, and there’s no right or wrong answer. What matters most is being clear and consistent with your invitations so guests know what to expect.
How do I let guests know if kids aren’t invited?
Word your invitation clearly — for example, address it only to the named adults rather than “and family.” If needed, a close family member or your wedding party can help pass the message on to guests who may be unsure.
What can I do to keep children entertained at a wedding?
Simple activities like colouring sheets, small toy packs, bubbles, or a designated kids’ area with a movie can make a big difference. Involving a few older children or teens to help supervise younger ones also works well.
Do I need to hire a professional childminding service?
It’s not essential, but it can be a big help, especially at larger weddings or if there will be a number of young children attending. If you go this route, choose a properly vetted and insured provider and book early.
Related Articles
- Kids at Weddings? Yes or No, That is the Question
- 10 Reasons Having Kids at Weddings is Fun
- Practical Tips on How to Handle Stress Caused by In-Laws
Save These Ideas
Planning a wedding with kids on the guest list takes a bit of extra thought — bookmark this article so you can come back to it as your big day gets closer, and browse our other celebration ideas for more inspiration.
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