Choosing whether or not to invite children to be part of your wedding is an important decision. For many engaged couples with children or their own, it makes perfect sense to include their friends’ and families’ children in their planning. And many couples without kids don’t want to offend their close friends and family, by not inviting their kids to the wedding! Phew…we get it, it’s complicated! 

But, In the end the choice is ultimately yours to make, and you should do what works best for you as a couple and what works best within your budget. If in the end you decide to invite little ones to your wedding, keeping them entertained, happy and fed will make all the difference in the world, and will ensure that everyone (even their parents) have a fantastic time celebrating with you!

With all of that in mind, here’s a little list of ideas to help keep your smallest guests entertained!

Welcome Bags

Everyone loves to get a swag bag, and your smallest guests are no exception! Creating welcome bags for kids filled with items like crayons and coloring pages, bubble wands, pinwheels, puzzles, and snacks will help to ensure that you won’t hear the dreaded phrase “I’m bored!”

Lawn Games

Lawn games can be a great way to entertain kids (of all ages) at a casual wedding, and tend to work especially well if there is a large break between the ceremony and reception. So, go ahead and set-up that giant Jenga or Connect Four game, ring toss, or maybe even a mini golf course. Kids and adults alike will have a great time playing a game or two! And, as a bonus, lawn games can serve as a great ice breaker before your reception!

Create a Kid Zone

It could be a small tent set-up with blankets and pillows and kid friendly activities, if you’re planning on hosting an outdoor event, which also has the added bonus of offering shade on hot summer days. It could also be a smaller adjacent room or simply a small dedicated space within your reception room. That way children will have their own small space to play and do their own socializing without getting underfoot.

Book a Photo Booth

I know we’re completely biased on this account, but we know from experience that kids LOVE photo booths! They’ll have a great time trying out all of  the props and getting in the booth with their other little cousins, aunties & uncles and parents! Whenever there is a photo booth at a kid friendly wedding, the kids generally leave with enough photos to cover their parents’ entire fridge door! And, if some of your older relatives aren’t super keen on getting into the booth, you can enlist some of your smallest guests to help draw them into the fun! 

Set-up a Craft/Card Making Station

Let the kids say their own congratulations to you in their own way with beautiful handmade cards, by setting-up up a card making station with blank cardstock and a supply of crayons, markers, colored pencils, stamps or stickers. Kids will love getting the chance to put together a special card for the newlyweds or maybe even other special guests in attendance. And, if you include safety scissors and glue sticks/adhesive dots, they could even incorporate some of their photo booth photos into the cards and keepsakes they create!

Kid Friendly Meal

Chances are, that the majority of kids aren’t going to love the meal you have your heart set on serving, and that’s okay! You can ask your caterer to put together one or two options for kid’s meals with approachable items –  like chicken nuggets and french fries or Mac n’ cheese – for them to enjoy as well. And, one bonus of this plan, is that the kid friendly meals will likely be a fraction of the meal the adults will be eating, offsetting the cost of some of the other items on this list!

As you can see, with a little pre-planning and minimal effort you can host a wedding that is fun, festive and stress free for all of your guests, no matter how big or small they may be! After all, isn’t it the cutest to see all of the little flower girls and ring bearers dancing at your wedding!

First things first, what do we mean by inclusive and accessible?

Inclusive {in-kloo-siv}, adjective: aiming to include and integrate all people and groups in activities, events, organizations, etc., especially those who are disadvantaged, have suffered discrimination, or are living with disabilities.

Accessible {ak-ses-uh-buhl}, adjective: easy to approach, reach, enter, speak with, or use. And, suitable for differently abled people to reach, enter, or use, as a result of design.

Second: why exactly is it important to be inclusive and accessible, especially when hosting events for people who might require accommodations or adaptations to make the experience available and fun for them?

Well, the most important reason we can think of is that you want your guests to feel welcomed, respected and accepted in the event space and celebration! And, the best thing is that, if you do it correctly, all of the above will be communicated to your guests without you saying a word. In our opinion it should always be a consideration, as making an event more inclusive and accessible is good for everyone!

Now, how can you bring that spirit of inclusivity and accessibility into reality, and make all of your guests’ event experience exceptional?

Responsibilities as Host

1 – As an event host it is your responsibility to make sure the physical experience of guests at your event is accounted for. For example: Is the photo booth camera height adjustable for guests who may use various mobility aids? Will all the cords be taped down to eliminate tripping hazards? Will there be enough room to safely maneuver around using mobility aids? Are there proper access ramps into and out of the event and the photo booth space?

2 – Further to that, you should discuss the backdrop and prop theme with your photo booth provider before your event. That way your experience can be customized to you; meaning, you could have a rainbow backdrop for a pride event, a custom made step and repeat banner for a charity fundraiser or gala, or maybe a set of non-binary or LGTBQ+ signs and props provided for the photo booth.

3 – Next up, ask your event staff and vendors to avoid binary language like Ma’am and Sir, ladies and gentlemen, she/he and have them use neutral terms like beautiful people, folks, honored guests, they/them. For example: can have your photo booth attendant invite people  into the booth by simply saying “Step right up, and I’ll show you how it works!” The right language can go a long way to making people feel accepted and included! And, in the end, it’s easy to do, it doesn’t imply anything about anyone, and best of all doesn’t take away from anyone’s experience! It’s what you call a win-win-win! 

4 – Recognize that not all disabilities or differences are visible. Meaning if you’re hosting an event for people on the ASD spectrum, or with other learning or sensory processing differences, are there ways to accommodate to make the experience more enjoyable for them. For example: having clearly outlined instructions throughout your event to help reduce social and situational anxiety, making sure that the photo booth lights stay on constantly instead of flashing during photos, and most importantly communicating the scope of the event to the venue, staff and all of your vendors so that they have the knowledge they need to help all of your guests with care and understanding.

Everyone Should Feel Welcome at Your Event!

Period! Full Stop! We believe that everyone should get the opportunity to enjoy themselves at a party! After all, people living with disabilities, those who have suffered discrimination, those of us have been or are currently disadvantaged, deserve to be considered and included and treated with respect! 

After all, in the end, everyone is different and special in the way we all need unique (physical, intellectual, spiritual or emotional) accommodations in our daily lives to allow us to feel supported and valued and included. Needing support to thrive doesn’t make anyone too much, it simply makes us human beings, and that care and consideration can and should extend to experiences like weddings, parties and corporate events!

No one wants to look back at their wedding day and feel regret over how everything went down! So, this post is a chance for you to learn from those that have gone before you, and side-step their mistakes! 

Not Hiring Professional Vendors!

We get it, we all have budgets, and priorities for how that budget is spent. But, even if you think you don’t care about [insert the lowest priority here] I would ask you to think about how you would feel if that went wrong. Food can sometimes make people sick. Cakes can fall during the course of, and in the heat of, the day. Makeup can seemingly melt off your face, and hair can come undone and look unkempt. And photos…photos are a big one!

Sometimes people don’t consider hiring a pro photographer because they’re not really photo people or they simply hate being in front of the camera. But, at your wedding, whether you like it or not, may be one of the only opportunities for pictures of (and with) the ones you love. So  consider this…What if you don’t end up with a great picture of your father from your wedding day? Before you dismiss something as being unimportant, make sure you consider the worst possible outcome of it going wrong.

Not Hiring a Planner, or Day-of/Month-of Coordination

Don’t make yourself or your future spouse the sole point person for everything! It might seem okay in the planning and prep stage, but come wedding day, everyone will be looking to you for guidance all at once!  With all the moving parts of planning a wedding, you’re going to need some help! There’s no way you can deal with the logistics of flower delivery, the photographer’s arrival, the videographer’s arrival, the hair and makeup artists’ arrival, getting the right tip envelope to the right people, and on, and on!

So, even if you think you can do everything, it will require herculean effort on the day of your wedding, when you should be drinking a mimosa, and getting ready with your bridesmaids!  So, there is a lesson to be learned here!  Either delegate out responsibilities to your future spouse or wedding party or hire a planner! Many of the problems the couple’s we spoke to struggled with would have been solved with hiring a planner, or month-of coordination package!

Inviting People Out of Obligation

Don’t do it. Make a promise to yourselves and stick with it! Because, once you say yes to one, it seems to have a domino effect! I often hear people say “I don’t want to meet anyone at my wedding” and if that’s you, please stick to it. Just remind yourself that you are paying for these people to celebrate with you. So, don’t invite anyone you wouldn’t pay for a surf and turf dinner for. 

Choosing the Wrong Wedding Party

Please don’t choose people for your wedding party, just because you feel you need to. Don’t pick a bridesmaid just because you were her bridesmaid once upon a time. Don’t pick your best man just because he’s your oldest friend in the bunch. 

But, absolutely do pick your ride or die people! Pick the people who are there for you NOW, because if you can’t count on them to be there for you in times of need before your wedding, they’re likely not going to be there when you do require their support! Also, be clear as punch about what you expect of them and if they are causing you more stress than it’s worth, don’t be afraid to show them the door! 

After all, they will live on in your photos and videos forever! So, you want to make sure you can share those photos without cropping them or grinding your teeth when you see their smug mug! Final word… You know deep down who is there for you when you need them, so trust your gut and stick with it!

In Closing

While there are many more points we could add to this list, we feel that these are the real make or breaks when it comes to planning your big day! So, with this in mind, now’s a good time to set your budget and expectations for your big day! Now’s the time for acting with honesty, integrity and steadfastness, to ensure you have the wedding that YOU want, not what everyone else wants for you!

Why consider a restaurant  for your wedding?

Well – first things first – The food, of course! 

The reception meal is a major draw, especially for foodie couples. Think about it; you can take the opportunity to make multiple visits to get a feel for the place and service, along with the all-important cuisine itself. 

Meanwhile, a traditional wedding venue or catering hall will likely only provide a tasting, but by that point you’re already committed and have likely paid a deposit. Also, the wedding planning itself is simplified and the cost may be reduced, since a restaurant already has everything you need on hand: glassware, tables, chairs, linen, ect. 

The Food is Top Priority

When you’re thinking of hosting your wedding in a restaurant, the type and style of cuisine offered should be top priority!  It’s also of the utmost importance to know if the space will accommodate the number of guests desired or expected, as these considerations will quickly determine if the restaurant will be a good fit for your wedding reception.

Overall Décor Impact

One of the biggest advantages to a restaurant wedding is that there is very little to rent. For example, they are already going to have all the tables, chairs, place settings, linen and cutlery you’re going to need! And, if you love the restaurant decor and get to start with a room that you already find beautiful, then not much will need to be done to really bring the space to life and make it yours!

How are restaurant weddings coordinated?

Many restaurants will have a dedicated point person, oftentimes the restaurant manager or catering manager, to ensure that no key elements are missed. And, in our experience restaurant and catering managers are incredible at managing logistics and effectively dealing with unforeseen events that sometimes crop up! But, if the restaurant doesn’t plan on having someone on site to handle the numerous logistical pieces of the day, you might want to consider an outside coordinator to keep things running smoothly.

How do Entertainment and Dancing Factor Into the Equation?

It’s important to know what kind of music or wedding dance you envision before you book with a restaurant. For example, if you’re planning to hire a live band, you have to keep in mind that musicians will take up much more room on the dance floor than a DJ will.  It’s also important to know the electrical capabilities and possible noise restrictions of the restaurant, which will also help you determine any limitations you’ll need to work around. This one has the potential to be a deal breaker if you’re envisioning a big, loud wedding dance experience!

How is the wedding menu determined?

Whatever a restaurant serves up on a regular basis is – of course – what they will do best! But some restaurants will be more than happy to design menus for couples that highlight local or peak-season ingredients. Often – when planning a restaurant wedding –  couples are regular patrons, so a good place to start is with what they already know they love to eat during the season in which the wedding will be held.

How about dessert?

Some restaurants will include a plated dessert in their package, while others include a wedding cake, or you may have the option to bring cake from an outside bakery. If this is the  case many restaurants will charge a per person cake- cutting and plating fee.If that’s the case, a serve yourself dessert buffet might be another good dessert option!

What Else to Keep in Mind as You Search?

Sometimes the places you go to regularly – and love the most – may not work for a wedding. If that is the case, we urge you to get out and explore! You may just find a gem you didn’t know about. But once you think you’ve found ‘the one,’ make sure to try it out a few times before you decide. You’re looking for the right combination of elements for your perfect wedding: the food, the service, the location, the look and feel (vibe) of the space itself. Also consider the return-visit factor for date nights, for a drink at the bar, for your anniversary or eventually (maybe) to even share with your kids!