Q & A: Kids at a Wedding

Q: It's important to us to have our nieces and nephews at our wedding.  We both have large families and we aren't quite sure what to do with the kids during the reception.

A:  First of all, kids bring a fantastic energy to weddings.  They really know how to check their worries at the door and celebrate.  They laugh the loudest and they are the first people on the dance floor.  That said, kids also pose a bit of a challenge to logistics.  Long meals, long speeches, and long gaps seem, well, longer to kids.  Here's a few things you can do to make sure your youngest guests (and their parents) have a relaxing evening:

• Include colouring books, wordsearches, or quiet games on tables where kids will be sitting.
• If the kids are all sitting at the same table, consider customizing a centrepiece to include cookies or candy that can be eaten during speeches.
• Keep speeches to a minimum, and pass on the open mic.  Even better, have speeches during the meal or dessert to make for a shorter program.
• If the wedding is outdoors, have games such as skipping ropes, lawn bowling, etc. available.  Even the adults might get involved!
• Consider a kid friendly dessert.  While adults may love your french vanilla wedding cake, kids may not.  If you want to get very creative, go for an ice cream sundae station where guests can load up their sundaes with toppings of their choice.
• Designate a kids table or kids room.  Have games available during the dance.