Babies at weddings

Rachel85

We're getting married next year and trying to work out a budget.

A lot of our friends have recently had, are expecting or currently trying for children, so we're set for a lot of little ones.

I am clueless about things like this, so I am hoping some of you parents can advise me on at what age you would expect your child(ren) to be provided with a (children's) meal at a wedding? I am presuming that when they are at the milk/blended carrot/mashed banana stage then parents will bring bottles/jars or whatever with them - does that sound right?

Also, if anyone knows roughly what age children will require a highchair from that would also help with the planning/budgeting. If you were to have a small baby, too small for a high chair, what do you think you'd do with it when at a sit down meal? Sorry I did say I am clueless so all help really appreciated.

I know that every child is different and we're planning to ask all parents on the RSVP card if they want a meal/highchair but I'm trying to get a rough idea for my cost calculations.

Thanks in advance!

olliesmummy06

Highchairs are usually for 6 months old onwards but my son was eating earlier so we had one at home from about 4 months old. We went to a friends wedding when he was 11 months and he didn't get a meal. I told her not to bother for the amount he would eat at that age so he just had some of ours. I think from about 1 1/2-2 then i would like my son to have a meal at a wedding and personally know he would eat it. Also if i had taken my baby to a wedding when he was younger i would have used his pram or car seat-poss have a extra seat at the table so people can put the car seat on it next to them whilst eating etc. hope this helps you and have a fab wedding.xx

Rachel85

Thank you so much for your reply, that helps loads.

I will ask everyone individually (on the reply card) if they little one requires a meal and or high chair. If not a high chair I'll get a chair put there to put a car seat etc on and if its not needed it can be taken away (better than having to go hunting around for one!).

Most of the babies will be a year or less so I guess they'll not want a meal but I will offer it to them (or, at least the parents!).

Thanks again, really helpful.

Js_Other_Half

We had highchairs for every baby over 6 months at our wedding. We had a hot buffet, but the children had their meals brought to them by the waitresses at the start so there were no tantrums.
We ended up with chips, fish fingers and peas for the kids - ie finger foods that couldn't cause much mess on the children's clothes...;) Pudding we had posh jelly (different flavoured layers) and ice cream. Again the jelly could be finger food if you had a determined toddler...lol.

Anyway, don't panic unnecessarily - most parents are very used to sitting their child on their knee and eating their own meal one handed...;)

Oh, just one more thing - learn from my mistakes - table confetti that looks shiny and pretty is a magnet for toddlers to eat...

morganb

My best friend had paper tablecloths at her wedding and left crayons and colouring books out for the little ones to use during the meal. Kept them all busy.

hannahsmummy1

At our wedding we only had one baby- who was 2 weeks old! But we had plenty of children under 10. Our venue happened to not even bother charging us for the kids, which was great!

Becles

aww - it's lovely that you are thinking of the babies and children, and want them to be a part of your special day.

I had little ones at my first wedding. Instead of just putting a placecard on the table/highchair at the childrens settings, I managed to find some tiny teddy bears and cut the placecards so the teddies were holding them. The children loved it, and the parents commented that it was a nice touch.

lesley1960

Becles wrote: »

aww - it's lovely that you are thinking of the babies and children, and want them to be a part of your special day.

I had little ones at my first wedding. Instead of just putting a placecard on the table/highchair at the childrens settings, I managed to find some tiny teddy bears and cut the placecards so the teddies were holding them. The children loved it, and the parents commented that it was a nice touch.

I think its lovely you are thinking of the children too , I have to admit when i saw the title of the thread i thought it was someone objecting to having babies and children at their wedding ......never understood why people do that

hippychick1

I went to a wedding last year and each child was given a small champagne shaped bottle of bubbles. This kept all the littlies happy and quiet while the meals were being served and also during the speeches. I thought this a wonderful and thoughtful idea.

Sus1e

I gave all the young kids (aged 5 and under) at my wedding a party bag which had a colouring book, crayons, cheap toy in to keep them occupied during the speeches etc - The parents loved it that we had put some thought into the day for the kids (and so did the kids!).

In true MSE style, all the stuff was bought from £1 shops!

newlywed

We had boxes for the kids too. A helpful mum offered to do them for us and cater them for the ages so every kid under 10 had one suited towards their age. They had small notebooks, crayons/pencils, (wax crayons for really little ones), small puzzles, sweets depending on their age, small plastic toys etc. They had little foam masks too and it kept the kids happy swapping bits with each other.

We also had balloons as decoration - which the kids loved.

We wanted tea lights on the table but due to the amount of kids, we opted for battery ones just in case

We had a buffet meal and made sure there were kid type foods and kid sandwiches (including jam, choc spread etc), as well as plenty of soft drinks.