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Welcome to our very first Blog Hop for 2015!
This month we want to help you start the year off by getting organized as you’re planning your wedding or event. Get ready for some great ideas to help you reduce stress and enjoy the planning process as you move along through the blog hop. You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from 40. Laurie Kuerlemann on Natalie’s Blog Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today. |
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Hey There.
I am not a wedding or an event planner.
I have planned ONE wedding 10+ year ago. My own. So, god speed, ladies.
I do, however, have kids. They are quite the handful.
I get dirty stares taking them into public places where it should be completely acceptable to act childlike. So, imagine the sweaty, itchy, neurotic mess I become when I envision my children having to sit in a completely silent church whilst a beautiful white-dressed "princess" {the 2-year-old equivalent of Bono} stands dangerously within reach of that glass of communal wine {the 2-year-old equivalent of paint}.
{Oh, those scenarios have never played out in your mind? Well, you probably don't have children.}
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| These are the crazed faces that can totally take your perfectly planned day off its rails. |
Let's visit the angst-ridden tight rope that one must walk during the process of wedding planning that can only be referred to as:
"Children at major events that in no way were designed for young, small, noisy, and possibly poop-covered humans"
It's a working title.
There is one basic question to begin with as the bride {that's you, lucky lady}:
Do you WANT kids at your event?
Here's the truth, no one is twisting your arm and if they are, cross them off your guest list {unless it is your soon to be mother-in-law because that is just not a good way to start}.
My hubs and I did not invite children to our big day. We were planning on a budget and wanted more cash for music and food. We also didn't know a ton of people with kids. It was an easy call. We did have family children IN the wedding and these kiddos also came to the reception {because we got to call the shots and loved having them there}.
Now, for the advice parts.
If you choose NOT to have children:
Did you think you were going to get out of having to plan for kids? Ha. That's funny.
Make it Clear. Address your envelopes and word your invitations in such a way that there is no misunderstanding: this is a "no kids" event. There are lots of elegant wordings out there that won't come off too harshly.
Don't forget your guests who may be traveling with kids. I'm not saying you should make an exception, but certainly collate and provide a list of possible caretakers in the area OR better yet, hire a childcare worker(s) for the wedding and reception times to stay at the hotel with the kiddos. If your guests are traveling 2000 miles for your wedding and can't bring their most precious cargo along to the big event, be a gem and take the time to do some legwork for them. Again, you don't have kids. Ask around. Churches often have childcare workers {with completed background checks} that they hire for Sunday mornings. Call daycare centers or ask the girl who works in the kid area at your gym {all will have had background checks - HOLLA!} If you just can't seem to make contact, try some of the online services - like Care.com
If you choose to HAVE children at the wedding and or reception:
During the Ceremony {and I say this in all serious} make like Santa, the Easter Bunny, and Elsa from Frozen - Buy gifts for all the little girls and boys, put them in cute baskets, and then "Let it Go."
Kids don't have a long attention span. Do you know what helps? Straight-forward, no-nonsense, Bribery. This is best accomplished in the form of a goodie bag or basket. Be sure to include:
Toy: This can be simple. A hot wheels car, a little tub of play dough, a kaleidoscope, a small plastic animal. You just want to make sure that it does't make noise.
Pipe Cleaners: These suckers are brightly colored and easily bendable. They give fidgety kids something to do with their hands. SCORE.
Coloring Book and Crayons: This is pretty self explanatory, but it keeps kids busy and quiet and engaged. You can even get some pictures of you and your fiance and the church and have a custom coloring book just waiting for them.
A Back-Up Plan: Sometimes you have a colicky baby or a two-year-old who is more of a bridezilla than your friend, Marcy {and you know how SHE was}. So, have a little mercy on your guests and see if the venue has a room that can serve as a "cry" room. A lot of churches have these already and they are life savers. If everything is going downhill real quick, mom or dad can scoop up their bundle of joy and make a graceful exit to an already designated, fairly comfortable locale. {Make sure there is good signage and have ushers inform guests with kids as to its whereabouts}
Now.....the Reception:
If it is a formal sit down dinner: WHY ARE YOU INVITING CHILDREN!? If you have little dinner guests, make sure that there are high chairs. Also, crackers, quiet games, and an activity place mat would be appreciated. Kids don't like waiting for their food. And like your Aunt Edna after a few drinks, they will let everyone within screaming distance know it.
If this is a more free-flowing event: Spoil the kids at your wedding with a little play area. It can be a simple kids sized table with books, disposable cameras, paper, crayons, cupcakes, candy, and other kid-friendly food. You can also lay down a beautiful blanket or rug and set toys, puzzles, and board games around it. This just allows them to have an area that is all their own....and it gives mom and dad an "out" if they are unable to entertain lil' Billy for another second. But don't worry, kids love the dance floor and loud music and cake. Your ceremony was probably their personal hell, but your reception is the BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER.
{More Great Ideas}
I can't reiterate this enough: DO NOT STRESS . Something will go wrong that day. It will MORE than likely have nothing to do with that small {poopy} human who can't seem to grasp the concept sacred vows....and will most definitely have everything to do with that one piece of hair that is out of place or that the peonies are more Pepto in shade and less the desired blush color. You will have a meltdown at some point - just like the kids who may or may not be coming to your nuptials.
Happy Planning.
**Please take time to scroll through the complete list for a little special message from me**
The next stop is 42. Melissa Pepin on Natalie’s Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month!
1. Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events
2. Katherine Shorter at Creating Awesomenessity
3. Kristi Richardson at Bloomed To Last
4. Chantal Benoit at Chantal Benoit Photographer
5. Elizabeth Batte at plainjane designs
6. Andie Freeman at Andie Freeman Photography
7. Brenna Fields Taylor at An Elegant Affair LLC
8. Irene Tyndale at Irene Tyndale Events
9. Sharon K Hyatt at Weddings with Sharon of Awesome Designs & Weddings
10. Tessa Marie at Tessa Marie Weddings
11. Peter Merkle at Chicago Wedding DJs
12. Anshwa Lewis at SwaLaRue Events
13. Deborah Ashe at Rev. Deborah Ashe
14. Angela Christoforo at Elite Wedding and Event Planning
15. Liz Coopersmith at Silver Charm Events
16. Amber Peterson at Cheers Wedding & Event Planning
17. Maggie Evans at Maggie Evans Designs :: handmade bridal couture
18. N’neka Scruggs at Images by N’neka
19. Kelly Snyder at Southern Charm Weddings
20. Cindy Clearwater at Something Blue Virgin Islands
21. Kimberly Parks at KP Photography
22. Simone R. Ross at Lil’ Tux N Tiara’s Event Sitters & Entertainment
23. David Osborne at Sound Insight Productions
24. Nicole Hill at Flora Bond
25. Shaun Cox at A D.I.Y. Affair Weddings and Events
26. Katrina McCullum at Made of Honor Weddings
27. Sandy Salle at Hills of Africa Travel
28. Rachel Huntoon at Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast
29. Daphne Simpson at Elite Design
30. Kishana Highgate at Kishana Highgate Photography
31. Loraine McCall at Mojica Photography
32. Teresa Rhodes at Nearly Nesters
33. Andrea Freeman at Andrea Freeman Events
34. Nikki Michel at Ciao Bella Weddings
35. Kelly King at Affordable Wedding Invites by Gossett Printing
36. Christine Ringuette at Down The Aisle Wedding Planning & Design
37. Myiesha Antwine at Kiss and Tell Weddings
38. Ashley Rae at Ashley Rae Events
39. Laurie Kuerlemann at Platinum Party Events Entertainment, Inc
40. Lydia Wells at Writer Mom
41. Melissa Pepin at Melissa Pepin Photography
Follow my blog using the link to the right hand side and you will be entered to win a set of custom coloring pages for your big day. One lucky winner will be announced January 26, 2015. If you don't win, no worries. Contact me if you are interested in custom coloring pages for your wedding - complete with coloring pages of the bride, groom, cake, and venue. MENTION this blog post for 15% OFF!
Lydia is a writer/illustrator/mom who in no way envies you in the planning process, but thank goodness for this informative blog hop.
Excellent advice!
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