Children's Entertainment for Weddings

ebeneezer_2

I've got about 13 little horrors (darlings) coming invading my wedding (on the insistance of grumpy relatives) ranging from 5 months old to 14 lovely years of age. I thought perhaps I could shove them all into a marquee which will be attached to a conservatory where the parents can sit, and get some sort of entertainer to keep them happy/out of trouble (I'd hope for quiet but know that's expecting too much).
Anyone out there have any legal suggestions for occupying such a diverse group - also, how much do entertainers cost?
I tried to find out via the internet but the search brought up a list of sex offenders in my area so I gave up!
:eek:

ikkleosu

Two words: Bouncy. Castle.

robpw2

why dont you speak to your local creche to see if they will run a session at your wedding ?

Sallys_Savings

My brother had a bouncy castle at his wedding and ALL the guests ended up on it one time in the afternoon lol ...so I'm sure it would go down well.

Is there a nearby college where you could perhaps hire childcare students? for a couple of hours.

snails's_pace

id second a bouncy castle!!!! and a ball pit ...:D , good luck!

Tweetinat

I recently contacted a few companies re: creche/babysitting services at my wedding as was astounded at the costs!

To babysit upto 4 children = £17.75/hr

To provide 4 hours entertainment (games, dvd, wii, ps2, painting, crafts etc) for 16 children, was in the region of £800!!!

I didn't contact many others after that, but here's a list of suppliers if you're interested in trawling through:
http://www.poppiesartworkshops.co.uk/
http://www.lollipopevents.co.uk/entertainment.html
http://artfullsplodgers.com/
Safe Hands Network (don't have URL)
http://www.weddingcreche.com/index.html
http://www.theweddingcreche.co.uk/index.html
http://www.kidsallowed.com/events/index.php?SectionID=8&SubSectionID=20
http://www.abcmobilecreche.co.uk/index.html

brazilianwax

We had around that number at ours too.

We had a seperate room with balloons and bubbles, colouring books and crayons, teddies toy cars, stickers and a playstation, DVD player and DVDs and portable TV.

was a hit with the kids, and most of the adult men too :rolleyes:. no need for babysitters, but wasn't quite prepared for half of the guests to disappear!

in the evening we used the telly to show the video of the ceremony that a friend took, for people who weren't there, or paying attention! worked really well!

sovereign

how about a go-kart party. You will need a little space which you metion will be adjoining the venue. This way the parents are free as the guys who run it can look after the kids.

Two issues are space and then also the age range is for 4-10 year olds.

see www.go-kartparty.co.uk.

ebeneezer_2

Lots of great ideas - thanks everybody. Unfortunately my reception is early January so not certain of the weather for bouncy castle, but one of the family owns his own so can have him on standby if forecast looks good...not like it'd be cold once they started jumping around.
I thought about playstation, but decided against for the adult/lost guest factor, but like the bubble/balloon idea as it will keep the drunken adults happy in the evening too - Who will be the first to swallow helium I wonder?
Prices seem astronomical and range of ages difficult so I'll probably stick to DIY methods, and just ply myself with enough fizz that I don't worry.
Cheers all and happy saving