Children At The Reception?
by The Perfect Pear

It is entirely up to you whether you want to have children at your reception or not. Much of it will have to do with the formality of your event, but also consider whether they are known to be well behaved or notorious.

When including children in the reception, consider providing entertainment specifically suited to them. Their parents could be otherwise occupied. Keep in mind that a child is often running on sheer excitement that day (much as you) and when they arrive at the reception, they may have no appropriate outlet. We probably all have visions of children running at breakneck speed around a pastry buffet with no parental intervention. These situations are best avoided altogether.

A critical time at the reception is between the time they arrive and the meal. Family members are meeting and greeting and getting caught up – but a little of this goes a very long way with the miniature crowed. After they have hugged Grandma and been squeezed by Aunt Sophie, they need an outlet of their very own.

A performer such as a magician or balloon artist can provide entertainment. Place them in a corner of the reception away from the food and beautiful decorations such as the cake. Give those seats or tables of their own. Perhaps include small pop-open favors just for them with simple items such as balloons or toy jewelry.

A story teller or reader can be wonderful - and it can certainly be a volunteer from your family and friends! Be sure they use a lot of animation to keep their interest. Use your imagination on this one because there are certainly many options here. You may find that these folk are entertaining the adults as well!

You may consider providing a craft to be made up by the children. Avoiding glitter and glue is probably a good idea. This project can be lead by family members. Or, a balloon artist may give a little lesson. Consider the paper folding art of origami and be certain to have lots of those beautiful sparkly extra fancy papers to hold their attention.

Do you have a lot of little girls attending? What about making up beaded bracelets and necklaces? You can amuse them for quite some time this way and allow the adults time to catch up.

The older children will not want to participate, of course, unless you prepare them ahead of time. Let them know just how much you need them to be the leaders helping you with the children. Feeling needed at a time like this can be a good thing too.

If you are providing dancing, consider making arrangements for special "Kids' Moments" on the dance floor. Select music specially suited to children ("Beauty and the Beast" comes right to mind) and make grand announcements that THIS song is for everyone UNDER age 14. Boys can come with mother or grandmother or aunt and girls can come with father, older brother or uncle. This can b e a very valuable (and FUN) time for the children to learn this important phase of social interaction. It gives parents a few moments with their children as well.

If your reception is in a hotel, you might consider renting a suite specifically for the children where they can change into comfortable clothes, hang out and have fun together. Plan on plenty of adult supervision with this option.

In an outdoor reception you have many additional alternatives. Is there an open area where the children could get together? Perhaps they could have their own dance floor.

A balloon toss (NOT water-filled), a light game of kick the ball (use a large soft ball such as a beach ball – avoid soccer!), croquet or even a scavenger hunt can entertain them for quite some time.

We hope that you enjoyed our Wedding Tips

The Perfect Pear