Family and friends gather to celebrate your very special day as you make that lifelong commitment. After the ceremony, many will party long into the night, with hours of formalities, celebration, potentially drinking and dancing. However, what about inviting kids? Many infants, children and teenagers are important to the wedding couple and guests. However, what is the best approach to involving children on your special day? Do you have an open invite to everyone's children, have a no-child wedding or something in between? While such a decision, like many made for your wedding day, is very couple-dependent, here are a few key things to consider.
Child-free weddings
It is a very attractive and relatively common choice to have a completely child-free wedding. It allows your guests with kids to leave their children with a babysitter and spend the evening celebrating and not worrying about their kids. It also means they can enjoy a few beverages and stay late into the night without ducking out early. There is also no risk of restless children becoming a disturbance during the formalities, such as during the ceremony or speeches.
While this may sound great to some, it's essential to consider whether some guests may be unable to find a babysitter for such an extended period or need to be with their child for breastfeeding. It may be challenging for these guests to attend, as these issues act as barriers to being away from their kids. The other consideration is at what age would you consider someone no longer a child? While it legally is 18, is a 16-year-old mature enough to attend and celebrate the special day with you? These choices may not be super cut and dry and may be flexible to you and what you want your wedding day to look like.
Partially Child-friendly Wedding
While a child-free reception sounds right for you, you may want to include children on your wedding day in some capacity. One approach to this is to allow them to participate in the ceremony and the cocktail hour and enjoy canapes and juice before the reception and speeches. A partially child-inclusive wedding strikes a great balance. Kids can enjoy the excitement of the ceremony and cocktail hour before heading home, giving parents the chance to relax and fully immerse themselves in the reception’s festivities.
Entirely Child-friendly Wedding
If you plan on having children be part of your guest list on your wedding day, this could look a few ways. The first is a restrictive approach, with a select few children on your reception guest list, such as nieces, nephews, younger siblings and close cousins. It could be an expansive list to include the kids of anyone invited to the wedding, with anyone having the opportunity to bring their children. With multiple children, while it can add to your day, it's essential to consider some changes you may have to make.
One such consideration is the dinner menu; having child-appropriate food options ensures the kids are well-fed and enjoy the food without getting upset. Another is whether to have kids' activities, particularly for younger children, to keep them occupied so there are no disruptions to the formalities of the evening.
Another consideration is for those breastfeeding their young ones. While this depends on your venue, ask the staff for options regarding breastfeeding so your guests can feel most comfortable breastfeeding their infant during the wedding and reception. Markovina Estate, for example, has extensive grounds, both indoors and outside, with multiple options. We also have the bridal room that, if not utilised by the wedding couple, could be a nice private space for breastfeeding mothers. Furthermore, if feeding with a bottle, let your guests know that staff are always happy to heat their bottles to the appropriate temperature before feeding.
Whether you choose a child-free wedding, a partially inclusive option, or an entirely kid-friendly event, the decision ultimately reflects your vision for the day. Focus on what feels right for you and your partner, and your guests will appreciate the thoughtful planning that makes your celebration uniquely yours.
