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Original poster

Tips for a child friendly wedding please

34 replies

KristinaM · 19/04/2006 15:04

Here’s the situation – a woman I know, a single woman in her 50s, has fallen in love with a lovely man who is a widower in his 60s. They are planning a big wedding in the summer Smile. As its her first she want to big do – church, reception in big hotel, speeches etc. She has asked ALL his grandchildren to be flower girls / pageboys as she didn’t want to leave anyone out (bless).

She wants to make the wedding as child friendly as possible but doesn’t really have a clue. She has asked his daughters/ daughters in law but they have very politely just said to do whatever she wants and they will fit in. Kind but not very helpful!

There will be bridesmaids of 2, 3, 8 and 14 years and 3 pageboys. Plus about 7 other young children as guests.

She was going to ask one of the mums to look after all the children during the speeches but I said don’t as it wont be fun for her and its too many. What do you think? Any other ideas? (Apart from leaving the kids at home!!!!) I suppose I am thinking of making the wedding as much fun as possible for the mums as well as the kids

OP posts:
shimmy21 · 19/04/2006 15:07

Friends of ours employed a nursery nurse (from their dd's nursery) for the reception to entertain the littlies. It was great. They had a room full of toys and crayons etc and could wander from there to their parents and back.

heavenis · 19/04/2006 15:08

For the younger ones how about giving them colouring books and pencils. Or like little party bags they could have while the speeches are going on.
Disposable cameras I'm sure they'd have fun taking pictures of everyone.
What kind of place is the venue at would they be able to help at all.

zubb · 19/04/2006 15:11

the hotel where the reception is might have some ideas for her. She could have a childrens table and put the 14 year old 'in charge'. Make sure they are either served with cake / ice cream when the speeches start or have colouring books / toys - that should keep them quiet!
Could hire someone for the day to look after the kids maybe, someone who wouldn't normally be going to the wedding?
Any wedding that I have taken the kids too they have just sat through the speeches at the table as that is what everyone else was doing. Might help them keep the speeches short!

Pruni · 19/04/2006 15:11

Oh My God
A wedding thread that I can't vent my spleen on.
love the nursey nurse idea

Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 15:12

reception is at large city centre hotel ( Marriot)

OP posts:
Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 15:13

oh pruni so sorry to disappoint Wink

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desperateSCOUSEstrife · 19/04/2006 15:13

dont put the 14 yo in charge
not fair to her
she is there to enjoy herself
not be a babysitter

nursery nurse sounds great
or hiring a childminder for the duration
local ad in paper

Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 15:17

she wants lots of speeches. i know they are usually boring and kids and mums hate them . but its her day.... and at least she is thinking of the kids. unlike most child free brides

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Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 15:18

sory about typing. i am not cod . just bf so only one hand

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desperateSCOUSEstrife · 19/04/2006 15:19

I invited all the families children to my wedding
and they were so well behaved and very proud of them all

Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 15:37

Oh I do like the idea of a non-mum to watch the kids. and the colouring books and pencils & cameras

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Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 16:12

any ideas for the church service
what do you do with 7 smallish attendants

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Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 22:16

.

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Twinkie1 · 19/04/2006 22:18

You can employ people to look afterthe little ankle boters and bring loads of A A Stuff so they are kept entertained throughtout the day - you can in my neck of the woods anyway - sure got given brochure in Debenhams about it!!

Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 22:23

debenhams??? [incredulous emoticon]

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Wembley · 19/04/2006 22:24

My friend had a table full of toys and colouring etc at the other end of the room to the speeches. Also timed the derving of ice cream to perfection - result - uninterrupted speeches and very contented children!! Me - I banned all children from my wedding!!! Grin

Wembley · 19/04/2006 22:24

That would be the serving of ice cream!!!!

Twinkie1 · 19/04/2006 22:26

They jhad a wedding promotion thing inthere and were giving away all types of leaflets and one of them was this company that comes in and literally takes the little ankle biters off your hands for the day without you having to be a grumpy sod and ban them!!

Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 22:28

wembly - I know lots of people do that. I think its very sweet of this woman to ask all her fiance's grandkids to be her attendants. Crazy but sweet

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madrose · 19/04/2006 22:29

as a wedding gift, someone brought along a bouncy castle - really useful.

A wedding I went to last year, kept a corner of the room free and put lots of toys there.

Kids together is fanastic they just need room to move.

This is a bit naughty, but at one wedding our table paid some young lads a couple of quid to collect undrunk bottles of wine and bring them back to our table!!!

Wembley · 19/04/2006 22:32

I invited family children. I'm not that grumpy! We were one of the last of our friends to get married and we would have had to invite something like 40 children! I too think this lady is very sweet/crazy to want them all there and I can totally understand why she is thinking of some sort of entertainment.

Original poster
KristinaM · 19/04/2006 22:43

madrose - was the bouncy castle in a garden or a building? Not sure if a hotel woudl allow it. Do you mean just a little one for toddlers?

wembley - we didnt invite most friends childre as well, for the same reason.this woman doenst really knwo how to make her wedding child freindly, and as mumsnetters are always moaning about thsi very subject, i thought I woudl ask for ideas Smile Smile

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Tortington · 19/04/2006 23:09

get a bouncy castle.

ask some people from church to take kids to another room to do colouring and stuff

hire a childrens entertainer.

lexiemum · 19/04/2006 23:18

tables of toys and the adults on a rota to keep watch if can't afford hiring someone

btw saw such a service (nanny) being advertised at the soft play in Bourton on the Water but haven't got a clue what they were called. Maybe someone will visit and let us know............

think that most will sit through the 30min service - feed them on the way, arrive in time to toilet them all before walking down the aisle and have plently of bubbles rather than confetti for afterwards. get the pics with the kids out of the way first and accept that they might not be in the big group shots. maybe have a reportage photographer instead then there be some nice unposed pics of the kids

give the older ones responsibilities for the day - taking candid photos; collecting all the disposable cameras; handing out the wedding cake; helping with the thank-you presents etc

i'm waffling now but hopefully some food for thought..........

LeahE · 19/04/2006 23:33

We had bags full of several suitable-for-age and non-noise-making toys for all the children who attended our wedding, and they all got given those as they arrived which kept them happy for a while. They weren't attendants, though, although I suppose one could do the same thing and have the bags waiting for them in the pew after they've walked down the aisle?

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