When it comes to planning a wedding, every decision feels monumental, even if they aren’t truly life-or-death. My partner and I ended up with a selection of eight different cakes because, honestly, how could I pick just one? I let my bridesmaids choose their own dresses, showing my laid-back side (also a bit sarcastic and, admittedly, a handful). However, I did put my foot down on a few rather unfortunate dress choices my sister made. A bride has to have standards, after all. But despite all these choices, one decision was a clear winner: we wanted kids at our wedding.
Let’s face it—children at weddings can be absolutely adorable. As the bride, I was determined not to let anyone outshine me. If a second-cousin-twice-removed showed up in white, I might have been tempted to throw one of my carefully selected heels at her. But kids? They’re like little stars who steal the spotlight, and I welcomed their charm. I have fond memories of standing by as one of our flower girls twirled around the dance floor, blissfully balancing on the groom’s shoes.
I understand that kids aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Weddings can be costly, and sometimes the budget dictates whether or not children can attend. Plus, there are always those guests who partake a bit too much in the open bar and end up dancing like they’re auditioning for a reality show. So, I get that kids may not fit into every wedding scenario.
However, when it works, it can be a blast.
Now that my partner and I are parents, we often find ourselves deliberating whether to bring our children along to weddings. Our experiences with our 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter have been a mixed bag, particularly in settings that require long periods of patience, like wedding ceremonies. Add in loud music and late nights, and you may wonder what possessed you to think this was a good idea.
Our son has special needs, and loud environments can be tough for him. Recently, we wrestled with the decision of whether to leave the kids with our in-laws for a wedding that was a few hours away. Ultimately, we decided to take them along, packing our old iPod with games and shows to keep them entertained. I also brought a stroller for the little ones and stuffed it with snacks, crayons, and small toys, not to mention some noise-canceling earmuffs for our son.
We agreed that if things got too overwhelming, we would make our exit. Surprisingly, we managed to endure an entire Catholic mass with two kids who’d never been to church before. Thank you, activity books!
Once we made it to the reception, I wasn’t sure how the night would play out. Both kids had fallen asleep in the car, and when we transferred our son to the stroller, he stayed asleep. But when he finally woke up, he was cranky and crying. I was ready to call it quits and head back to the hotel. The loud music was clearly bothering him, and he refused to wear his earmuffs.
I thought we should feed the kids dinner before making our exit, so I settled them down with plates of macaroni and cheese. Just as I was about to leave, trays of cookies appeared. I seized the moment. “If you let me put your earmuffs on, you can eat as many cookies as you want,” I offered. Our son loves sweets, and to my surprise, he only chose three cookies.
After devouring his treats, he was finally calm enough to wear his earmuffs. I am so grateful we decided to stick around. That cookie feast turned the night around completely. We all returned to the main reception area, and soon my son was showing off his dance moves alongside some of my adorable cousins. Seeing their joy made all the earlier stress vanish.
We ended up dancing, laughing, and capturing memories that I will cherish forever. If we had left the kids with my in-laws, we would have had a great time, but I would have missed these special moments as a parent.
Weddings, whether children are present or not, are celebrations filled with joy, love, and the people you care about most. I’m just glad this one included all the little ones who made it unforgettable.
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Summary
Including children in weddings can lead to delightful memories. While they might not be ideal guests for every occasion, their presence can create joyous, unforgettable moments for families.
Keyphrase: Kids at weddings
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