Kid Friendly Weddings

Whether you yourself have young children that will be attending your wedding, or you have friends or family that do, having a kid friendly wedding is something that takes stress away from the parents and allows the whole family to have fun.

One way to ensure that kids have a good time is to include them in the wedding as helpers who can do important tasks. Handing things out, fetching special items for presentation, or announcing important guests as they arrive at the reception.

Kid friendly weddings also require a little extra planning when it comes to table settings and menus.

Instead of a standard table-cloth that can be pulled down or stained, look to butcher's paper to provide a sturdy backdrop, impervious to stain. While some may view the paper as being a little too industrial looking, a little spray paint and ingenuity can create patterns and backdrops that give your wedding those little important decorative touches.

Throw a little lace on top of the paper, apply spray paint, and instantly have a gorgeous lace backdrop. Throw a checkered pattern down, and you have the makings of an SOS game, Tic-Tac-Toe, or with the proper addition of accessories, even a great game of Checkers in the making.

For centerpieces at a kid friendly wedding, look to fun and simple games, that will keep young and old hands alike busy. Games like Hungry Hippo, Jenga, or Kerplunk, make for creative centerpieces that also can keep kids active while they wait for their meal.

Any parents who have attended a wedding with their child, knows how difficult it can be to get them to sometimes eat the more fancy "grown up" foods. That's why planning for this inevitability will have parents forever beholden to you.

Either have your caterer or a close friend create some kid friendly food, not to replace your traditional menu, but to augment it, for those picky eaters. Wieners wrapped in dough, perfect for little dipping fingers, small heart shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a heaping chafing dish full of macaroni and cheese, all ensure that there is plenty of food for all.

Even your wedding favors can follow the route of your other kid friendly accessories, from small containers of playdough, to bubbles, and/or crayons, which will allow your younger guests to sign your guestbook in their own special way.

Not everyone wants kids in attendance on their special day, but for those who welcome them, making the wedding as kid friendly as possible, ensures that everyone is able to relax and enjoy the day.

©2008 Weddingstar Inc.