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Original poster

Opinions on Children's Menu @ Wedding :)

45 replies

Lynday · 14/07/2013 17:27

Hello,

I am trying to sort out my wedding menu and I was wondering if I could get some opinions please.

I have a few children coming all of whom are under the age of 6. I'm not sure if our main dish is very child-friendly and I thought it might be nice to offer a separate menu for the kids. My caterer suggested having plain pasta in a tomato and basil sauce, topped with cheese, and jelly or crumble for dessert.

Do you think most kids would go for this? Do you have any other (budget) ideas?

Thank you

OP posts:

rubyrubyruby · 14/07/2013 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BikeRunSki · 14/07/2013 18:19

Boxes! Maybe put a wee toy in the box too.

intheshed · 14/07/2013 18:21

Personally I hate it when I go to a wedding and the kids get served nuggets and chips while we're all having a posh dinner. Mine won't touch nuggets anyway though they eat plenty of other crap and I usually end up giving them half of mine anyway.

If you can, I'd offer a choice of either half portions or the pasta.

PrincessKitKat · 14/07/2013 18:23

Our kids option was sausage chips and peas (venue didnt offer mimi-adult dinners) and it went down very well.
I was warned off beans by a mother (orange bean juice) with so much ivory about. The same would apply to pastas in sauces etc.
However both flower girls still ended up looking like they'd been digging for worms by 6pm, so don't worry too much.

maja00 · 14/07/2013 18:23

My DS wouldn't eat the main but he is particularly fussy. I don't feed him different foods, he just wouldn't eat it!

I found someone local to me who does catering for children's parties who would put together boxes of sweet and savoury foods (like pizza, biscuits, sandwiches, sausage rolls) and a drink and it was around £2.50 a head depending on what you ordered. Something like that with a little toy in it would be ideal.

littleducks · 14/07/2013 18:28

I think the pasta sounds better than a nuggets and chips type meal. I wouldn't have considered the sauce as an issue but agree a cheese sauce might be a better option now its been suggested

Geeklover · 14/07/2013 18:42

I was also going to ask if it possible to put a slip in invitations giving the option. My dd from under a year would have happily have eaten the main course and so would one of my boys. Close family and friends know this and dd and ds2 more often than not given the choice would opt for the adult meal even in a half portion.
If they are all under 6 it's a tricky age. I know far too many people that feed kids that age different more kiddy style food than they eat themselves.
I do think either way you really couldn't go wrong with the box idea though but agree pasta sauce is a huge no no in nice wedding clothes.

TheHappyCamper · 14/07/2013 18:55

We are going to a wedding next month and we had a choice to give dd the adult meal (a round the world buffet hot and cold - sounds delicious!) or a few nugget/sausage and chips options. We went for the buffet as we prefer her to eat the same as us where possible.

If given the choice for yours, we would go for the pork. I'd say dd is a pretty average 4 year old in terms of fussiness. She'd eat the pork and veg and wouldn't freak out too much about the sauce. I think give a choice if possible? I also think the picky box is a good idea and not messy which is good.

Picturesinthefirelight · 14/07/2013 19:04

Although mine would have loved the pasta it will make a mess on posh clothes. Dd loves pork but until the age if about 5-6 would have struggled to chew it and DS still wouldn't manage. The cider sauce would be a complete no no (in fact I wouldn't eat that) How about a sausage option but with the same potatoes & veg.

NoComet · 14/07/2013 19:19

Please ask the parents, DD1 would eat 1/2 the main, DD2 would love chicken nuggets, sausages, chips, fruit and ice cream.

Not tomato sauce please, chances are the little darlings cover you in it as well as themselves.

Also SOFT DRINKS and yes I am shouting, it drives me nuts when there are bottles and bottles of free wine on the table, nothing for kids except bar price tiny glasses of fizz.

Water isn't very much fun when everyone else has champagne. A few bottles of fizzy grape, some cartons of apple and orange juice and some lemonade on a side table would be really really appreciated by parents and my non drinking DDad.

sashh · 15/07/2013 05:37

The boxes sound good.

Do tell the caterer to feed the children first. One memorable wedding the children didn't get their starter until the adults had finished their main.

overmydeadbody · 15/07/2013 11:49

I agree the pasta sounds awful, so much potential for mess.

Boxes full of finger food or smaller postion of your meal sounds best, and yes, feed the children at the same time of before.

milk · 25/07/2013 13:19

Happy meal style food box sounds great :) for the children and adults

purpleroses · 25/07/2013 13:34

Can't see any reason why most children wouldn't eat pork. Or just the potatoes and veg if they don't like it.

Same with the pudding really - kids eat all puddings, so no need for a separate one for them.

MangoJuiceAddict · 28/07/2013 23:20

I think the boxes sound perfect- or maybe mini pizzas and hot dogs with fries?

Aldwick · 29/07/2013 00:01

I think I'd do them the same as the adults but with plenty of bread and butter on the side for those who aren't big meat and veg eaters and a few snacks like raisins/bread sticks/something chocolate in a box with some crayons/stickers etc. to keep them occupied.

As long as their child eats 'something' I think most parents won't fuss about proper meals and getting their 5 a day at a lovely celebration like a wedding. You sound very thoughtful and I hope you thoroughly enjoy your day.

3birthdaybunnies · 29/07/2013 00:07

Mine would hate the boxes/pizza option. Would rather have the pork. Ask the parents, children are all different.

SecondStarToTheRight · 29/07/2013 14:59

My 3 year old wouldn't touch the pasta as hates anything tomato based but would love the pork.

Best thing would be to ask the parents involved

Smartiepants79 · 29/07/2013 15:03

Personally i would do kids food. The box thing sounds great. Makes it more of a party for them.
My DD is a great eater, not fussy, but she would struggle to eat pork I think.

PrettyKitty1986 · 06/08/2013 12:40

We will have two menu choices sent to guests with their invites. Those with children will have a third choice for their kids.

So the children will have a choice of a child sized portion of X OR X (the adult meals - haven't decided what these are yet) OR Sausage and chips.

The worst wedding I went to was when there was a completely separate menu for the kids of ONLY sausage/nuggets/burger and chips and no option of a smaller adult meal. Not all kids will prefer fast food to 'proper' food.
My two (3 and 5) were looking at my lovely lamb dinner with envy whilst pushing their nuggets round their plate. They ended up sharing most of my dinner whilst I picked at the nuggets.

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