Inviting children to your West Michigan wedding? Here is your guide to a successful event by creating the best experience for you, your guests, and the little ones!
As we begin to wind down the holiday season, the upcoming wedding season is quickly coming into focus. When it comes to planning a wedding, deciding whether to include children on the guest list can be a hot button issue for many people. Some couples envision a sophisticated, adults-only celebration, while others cherish the idea of little ones adding charm and joy to their special day. There is no wrong answer, and here are a few things to consider:
Atmosphere
The first thing you want to do is think about the atmpsphere that you'd like to create for one of the most magical days of your life, your wedding...
Children bring a unique energy to weddings, from their giggles during the ceremony to their enthusiastic dance moves at the reception. Kids are never shy to bring their energy to every part of a wedding, and for many couples, this elevates the joy in the celebration of ther union.
If joyful kids on the dance floor don't pass the vibe check for your vision of a more elegant atmosphere, consider an adult-only affair, or check with your venue to find out if there is a private room where you can usher in all the kids for some games or crafts under the supervision of an adult. Kids often get a bit rambunctious past bedtime, so keeping thier little hands busy later in the evening with fun activities can prevent a bit of mischief. At Bell Tower Falls, we have a space for this!
If you’re planning a wedding and considering a child-friendly approach, here are some additional tips to make the experience enjoyable for your guests of all ages.
Planning for a Smooth Experience
To ensure your wedding remains fun and stress-free with children in attendance, thoughtful planning is key. Here are some practical ideas:
1. Provide Kid-Friendly Entertainment
If a separate room is not avilable at your venue, consider setting up a "kid’s corner" at the reception with books, puzzles, or small toys.
Provide activity bags for each child to keep them occupied at the reception. Puzzles, small Legos, and action figures are a great option to keep the little ones occupied. Of course, you will want to stay away from crayons, markers and stickers of any kind.
2. Tailor the Menu for Tiny Guests
Talk with your caterer about offering a kid-friendly menu with options like chicken tenders, mac and cheese, or mini sliders.
Serve fun, non-alcoholic drinks like mocktails or juice boxes in festive packaging to keep your tablescape looking wedding ready.
Have a small dessert table with treats like cookies or cupcakes that appeal to younger taste buds.
3. Involve Kids in the Celebration
Assign fun roles to the special little ones in your life. Can you add a Master of the Microphone to run the mic from one person to another during speeches? Think beyond the traditional flower girl, ring bearer, or junior bridesmaid/groomsman.
Include a special “kid’s speech” or let them showcase a talent, like singing a song or doing a dance.
Communicating with Guests
If you’re including children to your wedding, make it clear on the invitation. Wording like "We welcome you and your little ones" or "Family-friendly celebration" ensures clarity and sets expectations.
Alternatively, if you prefer an adults-only affair, politely note this with phrases such as "Adults-only event" or something similarly worded. Simply leaving kids' names off of an invitation is not sufficient as kids don't generally receive formal invitations. Parents will assume attendance of their children unless otherwise specified.
Striking a Balance
For couples who want to accommodate children without them being the center of attention, consider these options:
Allow children at the ceremony and cocktail hour but provide separate childcare during the reception.
Host a hybrid event with a family-friendly daytime ceremony and a more formal evening reception.
With the right planning, your West Michigan wedding is sure to create beautiful memories for everyone, regardless of age. At Bell Tower Falls, we have suggestions on how best to navigate kids or no kids on your wedding day. Let our professionals provide you with some sensible options by scheduing a tour! Contact us at belltowerfalls.com for more information!
Whether you decide to include children or not, we wish you all of the best in planning your most perfect wedding!
Thank you for stopping by our blog today! We hope to continue providing content that you love. We use our blog to bring awareness to locally owned wedding venues. Locally owned venues provide you with a much more personal touch than corporate owned venues. As you select a venue, we hope that you consider locally owned. You can find a map here: https://weddingvenueowners.com/venue-map-search/
Here is a shoutout to other locally owned wedding venues around the country!
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