to be nervous about my sister's wedding?

[AllTheFluffyAnimals]

I'm a bridesmaid, as are my two DDs (6 and 9), three more adults and one baby. It's a big catholic thing, he is Irish and they are apparently quite traditional.

The only weddings I have been to that I remember (so not when I was a tiny child) have been my own and one of my friends, and neither were traditional or formal.

I suffer from quite bad anxiety anyway, but ARGH. I have no idea what to expect. What are my bridesmaids duties? What will be expected of the DDs?

My boyfriend is coming along and the kids love him so he can help entertain them, although he isn't invited to the sit down meal he is coming to the church and the reception.

The DDs have never even sat through a church service! The nearest they have been is 5 years ago they came to grandads funeral but my ILs took them out of the church when they started getting fractious, which was pretty soon.

DD1 is quite mature and sensible, but DD2 is, ahem, spirited.

i just don't want to let my sister down. She's put so much time and effort (and presumably money) into this dream wedding.

ARGH.

That's ok then

Agree with the bag of things for the kids today. At my daughters christening I did them for all the children. Sticker book or colouring. Those 'stretchy' men/ rabbits/ dinosaurs you find in party bags were a huge hit. I also put in sweeties that can be sucked likes fruit pastilles. Nothing noisy or that will clatter when dropped on the floor. Also get someone to put them on their pew so they haven't done it all before they get there. Said bag will also help with the meal when they are bored.

Oh heck, stop your fretting and enjoy your day.
Your DC are 6 and 9, they will rise to the occasion , esp if you explain how important the day is and how they will remember it forever.
It doesn't matter that they haven't been to a church before, they will have sat through school assemblies and concerts and will be able to follow the service/hymns (assuming no SN?).
Full service lasts about 60mins but I have been to a few Catholic weddings recently which weren't the full Nuptual Mass and they were only 20 mins max.
It will be lovely.

Both your kids are at school so should be used to being asked to sit still for periods of time. They will have sat through assemblies etc.. They won't have to do anything except walk down the aisle when needed and pose sensibly for some photos. I'd expect a 6&9 yr old to be able to behave in this situation, they're not babies. If yr DP is there he could take the youngest out if necessary. You might be asked to help out a bit but with 3 other adult bridesmaids there shouldn't be too much to worry about.
Have some bits to keep the kids quiet available. And try and enjoy the day!

Irish Catholic upbringing here. From a child's perspective, services are long and boring and go on forever but we were expected to sit quietly and behave. Bridesmaids will be at the front and I disagree with a PP, iPads and snacks are not appropriate. They will need to sit quietly and not make a scene for an hour, like at school assembly, without YouTube and angry birds.

Very important to keep your Kurds occupied during the service