toddlers and weddings - recipe for disaster?

[workingmama]

We're invited to a wedding tomorrow with our 18 month old DS. Am a bit worried about him wanting to rush up and down the aisle during the service (probably shouting "broom broom" very loudly (he's car obsessed at the mo)) and then having a complete meltdown during the reception when he gets too tired, probably while everyone's quiet and listening to the speeches (if we're really lucky). The bride and groom have been lovely and have arranged a room just off from the reception room for kids to sleep in but I'm worried that he won't go to sleep with all the commotion around.
Anyone got any bright sanity saving ideas about how to keep him occupied and then how to convince him it's bed time somewhere new and potentially loud??

[busybusymum]

I was recently told about a wedding where they had a professinal childcare team to do activities and games with the LO's so that mum's and dad's could relax and chat.

[workingmama]

that sounds fantastic. sadly, it isn't going to happen tomorrow so I have to be the entertainer... That's fine, but would still love to know if anyone has any tips for avoiding major meltdowns during the service or speeches?? Anyone?

[workingmama]

that sounds fantastic. sadly, it isn't going to happen tomorrow so I have to be the entertainer... That's fine, but would still love to know if anyone has any tips for avoiding major meltdowns during the service or speeches?? Anyone?

[PandaG]

Take lots of small snacks - boxes of raisins, cheerios etc. Clean to eat and not noisy - food always occupies my children when I want them quiet. Colouring books for in the pew? handful of dried pasta tubes/piece of string to thread necklaces. Failing all that take him out during the vows!

In the reception, if a room is put to one side sounds like there will be several children, so maybe it will not be too bad. Take plenty of small toys/books to occupy him, and yet more food, there is often so much waiting around at wedddings he may end up famished by the time you sit down to eat.

HTH, and that you all have a lovely time.

[quokka]

don't stress everytime I've taken mine they have ended up being the entertainment . Ds 2yrs got up and played with the band (on drums), another time he demanded everyone get off the dancefloor so mummy and him could dance!. Everyone will want to hold him and fuss over him, enjoy it.

Take some fav toys and food and you'll have a blast!

[bouncyball]

Take bubbles for the reception worked a treat for mine at my bros wedding and accept help from others who want to follow him around. For the vows you just have to leave the church so choose where you sit wisely in case you need to leave. Food always works a treat for me. Loads of different boxes, bags of fruit, raisins, shreddies, cherios, toast etc

Have fun!

[UniSarah]

Forget bedtime til he conks out. My neices and nephews age 9m/o -7 years were kept up late at a recent family wedding , shipped off to babysitter in hotel room when they fell asleep on parents laps. Try and sit near a door during teh ceromany/meal/speeches and be prepared to leave the room with him if hes distubing other people or is upset himself, our ds hated the clapping at a recent wedding.
take quiet ish toys/ colouring what ever he will do fairly happily several times during th eevening, for one of my nephews that was - push a toy car round the edge of the hall once then do a page of colouring in then push his car round again. Hes a bit older than a toddler but has developmental delays so in some ways is more challenging than a younger child.
Goodluck, go with teh flow, try to enjoy it .