Sippy cups or no sippy cups? That is the question.
It’s becoming a more frequent question in the wedding industry. How involved do we make children in the wedding? Will my guests feel uncomfortable if the flower girl is throwing a fit while walking down the aisle? Are all the couples going to double check their birth control when there are kids running around high on sugar from our candy buffet?
We’ve all seen that too-cute picture on Pinterest of the ring bearer walking down the aisle with a safe and an earpiece, secret-service style. And you can’t tell me you haven’t smiled and let out a giggle when the most adorable little flower girl ever is painstakingly placing each individual rose petal on the ground as she walks down the aisle. Including children in your wedding party can create some pretty wonderful memories.
On one hand, there is nothing wrong with cutting out the little ones. At least you would know that your bridesmaid won’t need a potty break, and you won’t worry that your groomsman might get board and decide to pick his nose.
On the other hand, many couples now are starting their married lives with children of their own. Whether your kids are from a previous marriage or those you share together, there are several special ways you can include them in your ceremony:
• You can have your little one walk you down the aisle.
• If the kids are older, you can have them do a reading.
• My personal favorite is exchanging a special gift with them after the ring ceremony.
I can say from personal experience that one of the most special moments of my wedding was the minister asking my daughter if it was OK if we got married and then seeing my husband give her a beautiful necklace after we exchanged our rings. Her excitement about being involved and seeing her sweet face is something I will cherish forever.
Hopefully, I gave you a little peek at both sides of the sippy cup question.
Now, I leave you with just a few children etiquette tips:
• If you are going to include children, make sure you include them on the wedding invitation as The Smith Family. Or if it is just the adults, a simple Mr. and Mrs. Smith will suffice.
• Nothing says kid-friendly like some coloring pages and crayons; conversely, offering shots as you enter the reception is a perfect way to kick off adult-only festivities.
• Make sure you feed the little ones first. Nothing will make the night go south like a hungry, cranky kid.
Leanne Naeger-Geiss is the sales director at Columbia Country Club. Although she is in charge of all things sales, her true love is wedding planning. She has 12 years of event-planning experience, and she is your go-to girl when he puts a ring on it. From Pinterest to wedding trends and classic bridal do’s and don’ts, Leanne has a wealth of knowledge to share.