Children's entertainment at a wedding?

[AProblemHasOccured]

This is just purely out of interest as I have been married a while now so the day has came and went. DH and I have big families who we are close to and there's lot of kids. We invited our guests and also their children too. We have no kids of our own.

In the run up to the wedding loads of parents asked us what entertainment was there going to be for the kids. I have to admit I didn't think it was something that we had to provide. I was a bit surprised to be honest and sort of just said "oh I don't know. What do you think would be good?" answers included bouncy castles, balloon artists (sorry don't know the correct name!), clowns, magicians, puppet shows, dress up characters, pass the parcel and many more!

In the end we actually didn't hire any extra entertainment for the kids. They all played with each other, played on their tablets and toys they brought, had a ball in the photobooth and danced at the party. Also, I provided little party bags for favours with bubbles, puzzles, mini slinkies etc in them for the kids. From what the parents told me they all had a great time.

But on reflection, should have I booked something for the kids to do? Is it normal for parents to expect the kids to be entertained at a wedding?

I wouldn't expect there to be any entertainment. Surely they just run around, eat bits from the buffet, dance or play with other kids?

What do you think would be good?" answers included bouncy castles, balloon artists (sorry don't know the correct name!), clowns, magicians, puppet shows, dress up characters, pass the parcel and many more!

Did they somehow confuse your wedding with a child's birthday party? Or a CBeebies set?

Please tell me this is not a thing! We are inviting kids to our wedding, but didn't realise that we needed entertainment for them?

I have been to one wedding where there was a bouncy castle and busy bags. It was lovely as the bride had a large family and was the youngest so lots of nieces and nephews. She was also a children’s nanny.

I wouldn’t think at a normal wedding they’d need anything particularly special. Babies want mummy and daddy. Toddlers want to wander around and can be amused with the box the cake came in. Children over about four should able to entertain themselves running around with other children in the field or garden.

For my daughters we’re having one on site bedroom for a quiet space for babies and little ones needing to sleep. We’ll have a few busy bags for speech time. They’ll be a few fairground things they can go on like anyone else.Then they can dance the ceilidh like everyone else.

No you did very well getting the party bag favours etc. It's lovely that they entertained each other too and enjoyed the dancing etc. Absolutely no reason to go over board on the kids entertainment especially if you don't have kids yourself.

I do have young DC and had a v family orientated wedding, lots of space / fields etc so did have some soft play bits indoors for little ones, small ride on car things and pony rides in a small field (found a v reasonable deal!) it was great! But not necessarily needed, just extra.