Toddler at a wedding

[EthelThePiratesDaughter]

Getting married soon and we decided to include children in our invitations.

It's nearly the RSVP deadline and nearly everyone with children has told us they will leave their children with family or a babysitter. We are still waiting on a reply from one couple with a one year old (but I strongly suspect they won't come due to distance/cost). That leaves one other couple who are coming, with a newborn and a two year old.

What do we need to do for the two year old given that she will likely be the only child there?

Thanks.

You don't need to do anything. The parents of sensible should bring stuff to keep their child amused.

If yiu want to a small party bag with say a toy car or colouring book and pencils may be useful for during the speeches.

Should we ask for a high chair at the same table as the parents?

I don't think I would "do" anything special, given she will be the only child there. Check if she wants a child's meal, if that is available, and maybe a balloon tied to her chair for her to play with and a party bag with a couple of things in to help keep her occupied. Nothing over the top though.

We had about 7 small kids (including my own) at our wedding. I made little gift bags for them with bubbles, a balloon, glow stick, some stickers and colouring. Basically the things I knew would amuse mine for a short time.

But you don’t NEED to do anything. Just check in with the parents whether they want a kiddie meal or a small version of the adults one and check about a high chair.

I would definitely order a children's meal ... our venue suggested half portions for children but we were having smoked salmon and then sirloin as a main! In the end, the children had sausage & mash which went down a treat and was much cheaper.

I made a little party box with little bits from either the £ shop or Wilkos - colouring in book, a colouring pencil with changeable colours, a light up bouncy balloon (wear on wrist), glow stick, light up bouncy ball, chocolate coins etc. It went down really well and then the kids just danced like crazy.

It'll be loads of fun and in the end I was glad I invited the kids even though most decided to leave their children at home!

High chair and kids meal (check with parents first any dietary requirements). A party bag with toy car, bubbles, crayons and paper would be a lovely addition.

IME sticker books will give maximum peace! The Julia Donaldson ones are good. Or there’s a Melissa and Doug one with reusable stickers. You’ll find them on amazon for around a fiver

As a parent of a toddler I’d really hope for a high chair and I expect that they get some sort of food- kid’s meal, adult meal, half portion, anything would be fine really. I wouldn’t bank on there being any ‘amusements’ provided so would probably take my own colouring to keep her occupied during the meal. If you did put together a party bag then that would be lovely but you definitely do not have to.

Ask the venue about a high chair and put it in a dedicated space on the table (please don't try and squeeze a high chair in!)

As a parent, a party bag with colouring, stickers etc would be amazing. One wedding I went to had a sofa area off to the side of the reception tables with colouring and small games etc. It was a haven.