What would you do in a situation like this (another wedding query!)?

[LucyJones]

Dh is going to be a best man next summer.
The wedding is a small affair in the day and then a big party in the evening all at the same venue.
The hotel has only got about 20 rooms, is quite posh and I'm not sure how big the rooms will be.
So dh being the best man, me and our two kids (will be 4 and 18 months by then) have been invited to the whole thing.
Not sure whether to put kids to bed in our room when they are tired around 8/9ish and me and dh go down to the party checking on them every now and then - but don't know if the room will fit a travel cot and another single bed?
Or have dh's parents to stay and get them to pick up kids from wedding venue and take them home while we stay in hotel.
Or we all come home at 10pmish (but dh feels he should stay there til the end because he is best man).
Or we take kids back to grandparents in between the day and night do which would take ages.

Your dh should probably stay till the end as he is best man, and you may find it hard to relax if the dc are in a bedroom on their own while you party, so to me the best plan would be to have dh's parents to pick them up as you mentioned.
It is a big deal that he is best man, and it gives you plenty of time to ask them (dh's parents) so I'm sure they won't mind doing this.

i would either
-take kids to bed upstairs and have a monitor to listen in

or preferably
have the GParents to stay and get them to pick the kids up and take em home, leaving you and dp free to enjoy rest of eve, get merry, go upstairs and have loud sex.

or pass out and snore... whatever

Right, having recently done a wedding with a 3.5yo and a 14mo I can honestly say about sharing a room with the kids: DON'T DO IT!
You will end up looking after the two of them all day cos your DH will be on duty, and then you'll put the to bed but be listening out for them. then you'll get to bed and your DH will stagger up later, wake the kids when he comes in, and then promptly pass out while you settle the kids. you won't be able to go back to sleep because he'll be snoring. then in the morning you'll be looking after the kids while he is hungover / doing post-wedidng duties (just re-read that and realised that I obviously have ishoos with the last wedding....!!)
Anyway, I would get your parents in law to stay, and get them to collect the kids either just before or after the meal, and you and your DH let your hair down, have a great night, and have breakfast in bed at, oh, something decadent like 10 o clock the following morning.

WS is so right. thats what would happen to me, for sure!

ive only been to 2 weddings in my whole life, oddly, but one fo them was with 2 young dc, and pg with 3rd... was exactly as WS descibes, except that dp didnt come and my sister did the staying at the party, coming in drunk waking up the dc etc.
at least she didnt snore. too badly

Glad I'm not alone TM!!!

your post reminded me exactly what it was like!

we went to a wedding in feb when my dd was 15 months, and i was planning to let her go to sleep in her pushchair while we were at the reception party, then just transfer her to bed when we went. i dont think that for one night it would upset her too much. as it was, she got some kind of virus and from 9pm onwards she was being violently sick and i spent all night in the room, hovering over the side of her cot, making sure she was ok. i wasnt willing to put her to bed,then keep checking on her, or getting a monitor, mostly because i have always been paraniod about her chocking, or being sick in her sleep. she is not a sicky baby, but like i said, i am just paranoid!

def get grandparents to pick up. About the monitor idea it is likely the music and talking from wedding will be so loud the monitor I guess would be useless.

Unless the couple in question really want your little ones there, seeing as grandparents are likely to be available for cover anyway, would they consider having your children for the whole do? That way, Waynetta's grim scenario won't unfold, and instead you and dh can catch up with friends and family uninterrupted by your little ones, enjoy getting dressed up, getting undressed and treating it as a bit of a fun break.

Definitely get the grandparents to take them. it will be so much easier and you will both be able to relax and enjoy the event. Otherwise you won't want to have a few drinks as you will need to be on "responsible parent" duty just in case your children are ill/awake/upset etc.

I suggested to dh about not taking the kids but he thinks the bride will be upset because she adores them

So anyway, posted before I had finsished!
I flipeed and said he could decide what to do as he was best man etc etc
The upshot is he is going to take me and kids home when they get ratty (9pmish) and then go back to reception and enjoy a hotel room all to himself
I don't mind really because after the day thing I'll have probably have had enough by then!

You can say that now, but what happens if you're having a really nice time? I'd get the grandparents to pick up after the daytime do and enjoy the evening with DH, without the worry of the kids.

Oh God don't remind me!!!

I've got a wedding next month in South of France and have had a hell of a time deciding what to do for the best. Bride was adament that i just leave her with the Chateaux babysitting service, dd 2 yrs, babysitters young village girls with no police checks etc - just can't bring myself to do it. Reckon i'll keep her with me and just before evening meal/speeches take her for a drive and get her to nod off then switch her to the buggy, if she won't settle then thats my night done, i'll go back to our gite. Have emailed my plan but had no response so don't think its gone down too well, but i've got to do whats best for her.

If the Grandparent option is available def. jump at the chance, she'll get to see them during the day time.

good luck and have fun