Babies at weddings

Alikay

No advice to add to that already given, I'd just like to say how lovely it is that you're including children in your wedding invitations. We've been to lots of weddings in recent years where there was a "sorry, no children" policy. They've been strange do's....overly posh and expensive, and with too much focus on perfect planning, theming and attention to detail and less on the sheer joy of the occasion. Plus there is now a generation of youngsters who have been excluded from the most important day of their family and close friends lives - so well done you in including them. In my limited experience, kiddies love weddings and rise to the occasion with their best behaviour!

hannahsmummy1

All the kids at our wedding loved dancing at the disco- my daughter was the first one up & the last one to leave! We also had bubbles for the kids, which kept them entertained! The venue we hired had huge grounds & a few footballs appeared from somewhere which kept the lads (and most of the men!) entertained ( i married a scot & england got put out of the world cuo the day i got married!) Meant to add that we had balloons for the evening reception and each child had their own specially decorated balloon with their name on- they loved it!

Strapped

We didn't have any really young kids at our wedding (DH is the youngest of 5 and all the nieces and newphews were past nappy stage) but those we did have, we sat on a table together next to the door where they could run outside and play if they were bored rather than have to sit still through speeches etc. We were lucky, of course, that it was a dry sunny day and that there was a safe, enclosed area outside. Also, that the eldest was 15 and happy to keep an eye on them.

sazziecee

I agree that most small babies can sit in their car seats during the meal which will make it easier and will probably eat some of their parents meal or a jar or homemade babyfood. Maybe 10 months onwards would appreciate a "big persons meal"

I think the personalised teddy/name card is lovely, awww

My auntie is getting married in april and my boys aren't invited ( 4 and 6)
While it's her decision and she doesn't want them playing up at the wedding, it does mean that I may not be able to go myself as obviously my main babysitting sources will be at the wedding! (my parents etc)

My ex partner works saturdays so can't have them unless he puts a holiday in, he said he will but I am used to him letting me down, so.....

My cousin will have a 6 month old baby at the wedding though which I think is a little bit unfair, it should be all or none really, but I am not going to kick up a fuss, she is coming over from Germany so will also have the childcare issues, so maybe it's understandable.

Personally I will have children at my wedding as having my own children myself there it would seem to be a little cheeky to ban others! (I say my wedding he hasn't even proposed yet, lol, but we have discussed marriage and will do it in a couple of years once the debts are sorted, how romantic hehe)

x

kr15snw

The way you are doing it is perfect, ask the parents. Also reccomend you check with your venue though, and see what they can offer. Do they have enough high chairs?

I would imagine most parents would take their own food for the little uns. My neice is 2 1/2 and her mum still takes her own / pinches some off her plate for every time we go to a restaurant. She doesnt seem the point in paying for a kids meal (which is normally junk) incase she doesnt eat it. The only time she will eat food provided is if it is a buffet in the evening.

silvercar

I can see it both ways.

I've been at a wedding where there were a lot (possibly over 20) of under 5s who absolutely wrecked the party. They were really noisy during speeches and monopolised the dance floor. Their parents seemd to think them sweet and made no effort to control them.

I've also been to a child free wedding, it seemed wierd to have a whole age group missing, but most of the parents there seemed to appreciate the chance to go to a wedding without having to worry about their little ones. Apparently there were one or two close friends who didn't come because of either a lack of childcare or their principles that their kids weren't invited.

jessbrown100

all the little ones at our wedding had smaller versions of the adult meals (starter then roast beef then bread and butter pudding) and thoroughly enjoyed it. their parents have brought them up eating what they eat and wanted them to have that rather than 'fishy dinosaurs' or whatever! they all behavaved brilliantly, we put disposable cameras on the tables for the guests to use and some of the best photos were taken by the kids.

zztopgirl

Just want to add my input too. :beer:

Went to a family wedding years ago when my eldest was just a tiny baby, put her in her carseat for the reception. When we got called in for the meal, looked at the table plan, and me and my (now ex)husband were sat at a table, our chairs directly backing onto the kitchen doors, with total strangers sat at the table, and the rest of the family sat at the opposite end of the room with confused looks on their faces cos it was like we werent welcome. We couldnt complain or anything, it wasnt up to us where we were sat, i just pushed dd in her carseat under the table as i didnt want anyone to trip over her. Its all very well placing people at different tables at a reception so you can all get to know each other, but it may well be more helpful to place all the family/children in one spot-so to speak.

Apart from that, have never been to a child free wedding, had my 2nd marriage blessed and my youngest fell asleep before the service and was extremely well behaved otherwise!:T

skintbutsmiling01

my friend got engaged recently and at another friends babys christening told her she was having a child free wedding !!

Rachel85

Thanks everyone! There was never a suggestion of not inviting kids, I was just wondering at what point babies start costing money. As most will be under 1year I guess that they'll probably still be eating baby food which means they're FREE! But of course if they've been weened early and want a meal that's no problem - I'll just ask the parents individually in advance.

I really like the ideas for entertaining the slightly older kids. We'll have a few 6-9 year olds (approx) so I think I'll make up a pack as you suggest in the hope of keeping them busy! Hopefully I'll be able to get some bits and pieces that aren't too expensive. Its just so hard as I don't have kids myself and whilst I love my nieces and nephews I don't see them very often so don't always know what kids are into. That's why I find this site so useful.

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.


P.S. If anyone else is looking for an idea to keep kids entertained I did see on a wedding forum the idea of giving kids digital camera and a list of challenges of things to find (e.g. a lady wearing a hat, a big cake..) etc. Not sure how well it'd go down, but could be an option?!