There’s no way around it – planning a wedding is a lot of hard work. Plenty of time, money and effort will go into the organisation of your dream wedding, but when the big day does eventually roll around, it will all be worth it.
However, the wedding planning process can be made even more complicated when you have to take the needs of your family into account. If you are intending to invite entire families, children and babies to your wedding, you will need to ensure that the occasion is family-friendly and that their needs are catered to, as well as your own.
Of course, we all know the main points of wedding planning, from picking a date and choosing a venue to finally deciding on your dream dress, but have you spared a thought for the finer points of the day? With so much to keep in mind, it can be incredibly easy for even the most organised of couples to suddenly realise something has been overlooked. Granted, it may not be one of the most important parts of the day, but when you have been looking forward to tying the knot for weeks, months, or even years, you will understandably want everything to be perfect.
So, to help you out, here are a few things definitely not to be missed during the process of planning a family-friendly wedding.
Venue
Granted, this might seem obvious, but there is a lot more to consider than just which venue looks the best and fits within your budget. Location and capacity are essential, but you should also check that your chosen venue is suitable for children. Looking for a specific service? Some venues offer optional additional services like the assistance of a wedding planner or help with decoration or catering, so it may be worth seeing if you can get a good deal here. For more venue inspiration, visit this website.
If you do have a lot of questions to ask, it may be worth making a quick checklist that you can then run through when you are shortlisting venues. That way, you can guarantee nothing will be forgotten!
Entertainment
Depending how many children you are planning to invite and how old they are, it may be necessary to tailor certain elements to your younger guests. Older children will usually be fine at weddings, but the younger the age bracket, the more easily they tend to get bored. Luckily, there are a number of ways that you can go about staving off the boredom and making sure everyone has as good a day as you! If you are really worried about the little ones, you could always hire a professional entertainer to keep them occupied during the day.
Seating Plan
Seating plans can be a massive headache, especially if you have to contend with arguments, fallings out and other family drama. If you are planning on a set seating plan, try to sit people who know each other together. This way, everyone will be able to chat to someone they already know – save the mingling for the dancefloor!
You will also need to keep certain things in mind when planning out your seating plan. Sitting bridesmaids, page boys and any other key people near the top table can be beneficial during the speeches. Similarly, if you are worried about young children getting restless or fed up, it may be sensible to sit them a little more out of the way so they can easily get down from the table and play if they become bored.
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you enjoy the occasion and make the most of your wedding day. Marriage is a big commitment, but when you are prepared to spend your life with the person you love, that should be the real focus of the day. However you choose to celebrate tying the knot, as long as you are happy, your wedding day is sure to be a success.
Really good tips and things to.think about
I don’t think I coud face it all!
If there’s going to be a long wait until the main meal, then see that the venue can provide sandwiches and tea or soft drinks on request, important for young and old, and for health reasons such as diabetes.
A nice little post. I suspect that most brides and grooms would prefer that little people did not attend but with a little forethought, they can be entertained and included.