Weddingbee Blog

If you are worried about occupying the older children who won’t dance, maybe enlist their help with something - put them in charge so they’ll feel important. Then you won’t have to worry about them missing out on dancing to do whatever it is you need them to.

Oh, yeah, and there’s a Trip Payne crossword that comes in book form, but unfolds to 21 feet wide. We’re going to post it somewhere at the post-wedding brunch, and scatter personalized pencils around.

I should mention, I was proposed to in the form of a crossword puzzle, so this is something near and dear to us. You got puzzle questions, you know who to ask.

We didn’t do anything special, and they danced and just hung out with each other the whole time. I sort of think people overthink this sometimes. Children have a way of entertaining themselves most of the time.

I like the camera and video camera idea. It could give you a *unique* view of your wedding!

i like the photo/video idea. that would be fun. i wouldn’t necessarily have them watch the younger kids because that’s always a drag no matter what. and who wants to babysit during a wedding? i don’t even like babysitting on a regular day and i’m 25! a candy centerpiece would be cool for the older kids but you’ll be surprised how much candy they can put away.

but since most of them are cousins and they’re close in age, i’m sure they’ll be fine together.

Especially with the older kids, I think enlisting their help would be a great idea–they’re at an age where they’re sort of shifting between childhood and adulthood, and I think you’re definitely right that they need something more grownup to entertain them. Could you ask a couple to be in charge of manning the guest book, helping hand out programs or favors, or babysitting the younger kids (for this last job, of course, they should be paid!). That way the teenagers will feel like they’re offering valuable input without being condescended to ;-).

I also like the camera/video camera idea. Though I generally think table cameras can be a waste of money, just a few for the kids can potentially capture some really fun shots!

BTW>If they’re the braniac type, maybe setting up a Trivial Pursuit board on the table could be a lot of fun for them

We’re having around 20 children under twelve and over 2, 5-6 infants/toddlers, and around 5 teenagers. We found a family friendly venue that is outside with lots of space for kids to run around. We will have lawn games set up (possible scavenger hunt) and a couple of older kids to supervise; but I am sure that most of the parents will want their kids to eat with them. I wonder if putting the kids at their own table might cause unnecessary problems–do you think a 16 year-old would take offense to being seated with twelve year-olds? I don’t know; but maybe not if they are cousins. I think that games after dinner for younger kids is a great option and as someone else said–the older kids will probably be fine entertaining themselves.

I love children at our wedding
because they add life to the wedding

sometimes, having some children running around can be fun and add to the noise….

healthy level of noise…

they look good in photos too

instead of doing a full blown photo station like laura k suggested, you could just do a few props and a polaroid on their table. i know my tween cousin (i have 10) love hamming it up for the camera.

I think the photo scavenger hunt would be awesome. I used to work at a Ritz Cameras printing pictures and some of the best ones were obviously from a child’s POV. I would reccommend having a “big kid” show the little ones how to use the camera to avoid “finger in picture -itus”
Good luck!