There’s no denying that a wedding day can be, well, long and interspersed with several moments that call for ‘best behaviour’.
Don’t let this stop you though from including children as guests or active participants: children do add extra joy and charm to the day, and you will have many very happy memories to look back on.
With thoughtful planning and a sprinkle of creativity, you can create an environment where the little ones feel included and entertained, leaving their parents free to celebrate with you.
As you would expect, our celebrants and suppliers have plenty of experience when it comes to kids at weddings, and the one or other suggestion up their sleeves on how to make sure little and not so little guests have a fantastic day:
Before the ceremony
Child-friendly invitations:
"Everybody loves getting their own invitations, and children are no different: depending on their age these could include activities or colouring pages." suggests Laura Reid of Happy Everly After Stationery.
Include an age-appropriate of the wedding programme with illustrations and simple explanations. This helps children understand and follow along with the ceremony and the flow of the day.
Have the children write or draw a picture (prior to the ceremony) that represents what the marriage means to them. This could be read aloud or given to the couple as part of the ceremony
Activity packs
Activity packs with colouring books, puzzles, books and small toys are perfect for keeping kids entertained in the run-up and during the ceremony.
Kids’ corner
Having a kids' corner before the wedding ceremony keeps children entertained and engaged, creating a more relaxed atmosphere for both parents and guests. It provides a designated space with activities like colouring, puzzles, or small toys, helping to prevent restlessness and distractions during the ceremony. This setup allows parents to socialize and enjoy the pre-ceremony moments without worry, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience for everyone. A well-planned kids' corner sets a positive tone for the day, keeping little ones happy while maintaining a calm and organized environment.
Special touches for your own children
Wedding Day gifts
Give your children a gift on wedding day, like you would do for your bride or groom.
Getting ready / First look moment
Invite your children to be part of the getting ready and the ‘first look’ moment, traditionally shared with the bridal party. It is also a wonderful way to make the children feel grown up and included – not to mention a wonderful photo opportunity!
The ceremony
How and how much you involve children in your ceremony tends to depend on their age and their relationship to you as the couple: are they family members or friends and relatives?
Please also consider how comfortable each child would be in front of a crowd. While we get many fantastic helpers – and some even steal the show –not everyone is happy in front of an audience.
Flower girls and ring bearers are of course the classic roles for smaller children. Older children often relish being junior bridesmaids and groomsmen, but there are many more options to include and involve children during your wedding ceremony:
Readings: choosing and reading a short piece is a great way to give children a role on the day. They are also welcome to write their own reading, for an extra special touch on the day.
Family Vows –an addition to the initial promises where a short promise/vow is directed to the child/children. They could come and stand with you at the front of the aisle. A heads up though: Family Vows tend to be very intensely emotional – if you prefer not to well up in front of your guests, these might be better left for a private moment before or after the ceremony.
Unity ceremony – This is very popular with patchwork families: the children as well as the couple each pour a different coloured sand into a bottle to represent the blending of the family.
Tokens: This can be a wonderful opportunity for the couple to give their children a token as a gesture of their unity, or for the children to hand tokens to the couple to celebrate the family union.
And if it all fails?
“I always make a point at the start of the ceremony that, unless you’re a witness or ring bearer, it’s perfectly fine to leave the room during the ceremony if you have to!” says Gail Ollason, Celebrant for Suffolk Registration Service.
After the ceremony
If you’ve set up a kids corner you can of course fall back on this, but here are some more ideas how to keep little guests amused while making sure their adults can have a relaxed time too:
Mini Movie Screening: Create a cosy corner with beanbags and blankets and play their favourite animated movie.
Arts and Crafts station: Set up a table with colouring books, crayons and wedding-themed crafts like making tiaras or designing their own ‘wedding cake’ on paper plates.
Kids’ Dance Party: Organise a mini disco with glow sticks, upbeat music and a bubble machine for them to groove to.
Treasure Hunt; Design a simple treasure hunt with clues around the venue, leading to small prizes and goodie bags. Ideally a prize for each child to avoid tears.
Games and Activities: Include classics like Giant Jenga, Connect Four or lawn games like sack races, ring toss or mini-golf.
Magic Show or Entertainer: Hire a magician, balloon artist or face painter to captivate their attention.
DIY Photo Booth: Set up a photo booth with child-friendly funny props, hats and costumes for the kids to snap fun photos.
Importantly though, "Keep in mind that wedding days can be very exciting but also very long for children” says Talia Middleditch of Little Guest Creche “For tired little ones, a calm chill-out zone with pillows, storybooks and cuddly toys can be a lifesaver”.
After all, weddings are about family, love and creating memories – what better way to do that than by embracing the unique energy that kids bring to the occasion? Here’s to making your wedding day unforgettable for guests of all ages!