Children at the Wedding Reception

Today’s wedding guide starts with a topic that many couples I work with find challenging: CHILDREN AT THE WEDDING RECEPTION.

Theoretically, a wedding is an all-night event for adults; however, it is also a family affair, and where there’s family, there are children :). Setting a strict rule of not inviting kids may upset your guests. Some of them may find themselves in a difficult position, especially if they are family members and all their loved ones have been invited.

Once the decision to invite children to the reception has been made, it’s important to estimate how many and what age they will be. With this information, you can move on to the next step, which is ensuring the children are entertained and seated appropriately.

For toddlers and children up to 6 years old, I recommend seating them with their parents. These little ones often feel shy and unsure at large gatherings, so parental support is essential, making this the best arrangement. Older children and teenagers will likely enjoy spending the event with their peers, and a separate table will be a hit. If you plan to have cold appetizers on the tables, make sure to prepare a separate menu for your youngest guests 🙂

The perfect solution is to hire a children’s entertainer. A professional will ensure the kids aren’t bored or running around the hall, allowing parents to fully enjoy your big day.
Of all the activities suggested by entertainers, I recommend skipping face painting! I once witnessed a situation where a little Spiderman (yes, he had his face painted) bumped into the bride, leaving a red and blue mark on her snow-white dress… You don’t want to know what the bride’s face looked like!

There are also many attractions that are perfect for adults as well:

• On hot days, nothing is better than an ice cream station.
• A childhood memory – a cotton candy station. Especially if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, this will look beautiful.
• A drink bar with special children’s cocktails with fun names: Pink Panther, Maya the Bee, etc. These will certainly also be appreciated by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Dance contests with dress-up props will provide many unique memories and lots of smiles 🙂