Wedding planning can feel like a high-stakes game of decision-making where the smallest choice seems monumental. When my partner and I tied the knot, we ended up with eight different cake flavors because I simply couldn’t pick just one. I told my bridesmaids to choose their own dresses because I like to think I’m laid-back (sarcastic, maybe a nightmare). But there was one decision that stood out above the rest: we wanted kids at our wedding.
Let’s face it—kids can be adorable little show-stealers. As the bride, I was determined not to be upstaged by a distant relative in white, but when it came to the little ones, I threw caution to the wind. Thanks to my charming nieces and cousins, I was delighted to witness one of our flower girls dancing on the groom’s shoes. That moment is one of my cherished memories.
I completely understand that children aren’t for everyone. Weddings can be pricey, and sometimes it makes sense to limit the guest list to adults. If you know Uncle Bob is going to drink one too many beers and embarrass himself on the dance floor, it can be wise to keep it 18+. I get it, but when it’s right, it can be an absolute blast.
Now that my partner and I have our own kids, we face the dilemma of whether to bring them along to weddings where they’re invited. We’ve had our fair share of outings that went swimmingly or spectacularly wrong with our four-year-old son and two-year-old daughter. Long ceremonies, loud music, and late nights can push any parent to question their sanity.
Recently, I fretted for weeks about whether to leave our son and daughter with their grandparents while attending my cousin’s wedding a few hours away. Ultimately, we decided to take them along, armed with an arsenal of distractions. I loaded up our old iPods with games and shows, packed a stroller for any sudden nap needs, and brought along snacks, crayons, and even earmuffs for my son’s sensitivity to noise.
We agreed that if things went south, we would head back to the hotel and chalk it up to experience. Surprisingly, we made it through the entire Catholic mass with both kids—thanks to the activity books I brought along.
When we hit the reception, I had no idea how the night would unfold. Both kids had dozed off in the car, but my son woke up cranky and overwhelmed. I started plotting our exit strategy when I noticed dinner being served. I thought if I could just get him to eat something, maybe we could salvage the evening.
So, I made one last-ditch effort, offering him a cookie feast if he would let me put on his earmuffs. Thankfully, that bribe worked! After a few cookies, he was much happier, and we returned to the dance floor. To my joy, he joined the other kids, dancing like there was no tomorrow. Watching him and my daughter have a blast while I danced along was nothing short of magical.
Sure, if we had opted to leave the kids with their grandparents, we would’ve enjoyed a carefree evening. We could have had drinks and danced the night away without a worry. But we would have missed those beautiful moments as a family. Weddings are celebrations meant to bring together everyone you love, and I’m so grateful ours included our littlest guests.
If you’re curious about involving kids at weddings or navigating other family events, check out our related posts here.
In summary, children may not seem like the ideal wedding guests, but their presence can add a joyful and memorable twist to any celebration. Whether you’re planning to attend a wedding or just considering family gatherings, embracing the chaos can lead to some of the best moments.