How to have a child-friendly wedding

Let’s face it, wedding days are a big deal, and the ultimate dream is for them to run like clockwork. Adding little people into the mix can definitely make planning more interesting.

Jennifer McLaren discovers the secrets to organising a child-friendly event

Keeping children happy and content can often be an enigma, but if you’re planning a wedding celebration with younger guests in mind, there are a few things worth considering as you get started.

Oskar Gilchrist-Grodnicki, the wedding planner behind The Wedding GuruOskar, has seen many instances where couples have postponed weddings due to the pandemic and continued with their family plans before managing to have their dream day. When the wedding day finally arrives, children can play significant roles in a ceremony, from looking after your rings to doing a short reading. “Children can take part in unity candle ceremonies or sand blending ceremonies symbolising the love, warmth and diversity that you bring into your marriage, and share with everyone important and present at the ceremony,” Oskar explains. “A great idea to involve children is to have a ceremony for them specifically. You may be making new or blending families, and making promises to always love, nurture and protect these new additions to your family as the step-parent could not be more fitting. If you are the parents of your children, making similar promises to your children can make children feel welcome and involved in such an important celebration.”

Like Oskar, George McLean, celebrant and brand ambassador at Fuze Ceremonies believes children can bring an extra level of excitement and fun to weddings – especially because they’re less likely to follow “the script”. “Kids can provide the most incredibly memorable moments during a ceremony,” George says. “Some of the more popular things we see are sand blending ceremonies, handfasting with multiple cords and children doing a short reading or poem.”

“Children can take part in unity candle ceremonies or sand blending ceremonies symbolising the love, warmth and diversity that you bring into your marriage”

Oskar Gilchrist-Grodnicki

George also suggests thinking about the structure of your day hour by hour, then putting yourself in the child – or parent’s – shoes to look for any potential issues. “There are quite a few things out in the supply market like wedding nannies, tipi hire, children’s entertainers, and they tend to be hired for around the drinks reception and during the speeches,” he adds.

Both George and Oskar agree it’s important to think about keeping younger guests entertained – especially at points of the day when they could become tired or restless.

“The biggest misconception is that children will sit quietly and behave like adults without any entertainment,” Oskar explains. “If you’re planning a wedding with many parts outdoors, organise a children’s entertainer with fun and exciting games and activities on the lawns – and if you’re planning a wedding indoors, why not book a children’s mobile crèche with tipis, games consoles, competitions and crafty activities?" “More and more venues will also provide children's entertainment areas and quiet spaces, so don’t be shy to ask the question.” George adds, “When you’re choosing a venue, celebrant, photographer and videographer, add in a few questions about how they work with children.”

Adults Only

And remember, if a child-free wedding – or children of immediate family only – is what you have planned, then it’s important to stay true to your choice. “Our phrase is ‘your day, your way’ and there’s nothing truer,” George explains. “Couples should talk about this as early as possible with their family and get it out there.” Oskar adds, “My number one piece of advice is to identify early on your own expectations and visions, your non-negotiables and your flexibilities. Don’t give in to peer pressure and, if someone has a different opinion from you – and that person matters to you a lot – don’t challenge them publicly, take some time aside for that person and explain your reasons. They’ll be more likely to take it on board when they hear your part of the story.”