6 Things to Consider When Asking Kids to Be in a Wedding

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Whether or not to include children in weddings is an age-old debate. Will they make it down the aisle? Will they steal the bride's show? Will they behave during dinner? (The answer to all: who knows?!) But if you have your heart set on adding mini members to your wedding party, then there are a few things you should first consider to ensure both you and your tiny attendants have a happy wedding day! Keep clicking for the six things you must consider before asking children to be in your wedding!

01
Ages

Ages

While your brother's 1-year-old may be adorable, she's probably not going to make it to the end of the aisle. Instead, try to limit choices for ring bearers and flower girls to kids between 3 and about 7 years old. If you're dead set on including younger children, then consider pairing them up with older ones, who can direct them down the aisle by hand — or even pull them along in a wagon.

Source: Bazketmakr

02
Time of Day

Time of Day

Find out if you're dealing with a mini attendant who still naps or has a superearly bedtime that might conflict with your ceremony or reception time. No one wants a meltdown halfway down the aisle or during toasts.

03
Roles

Roles

There are a surprising number of ways kids can be involved in your wedding, from the traditional flower girl and ring bearer to less common jobs like reading, passing out lemonade post-ceremony, or even being the official dog watcher! Think about which job is really right for each individual child, and assign them accordingly. Another tip: make sure you inform both the parents and the child on exactly what you'll expect from them on the big day, so everyone can be prepared!

04
Attire

Attire

If you have a very specific idea of what you'd like the child to wear (an Oscar de la Renta flower girl dress, perhaps?), then consider making it a gift, particularly if you know it's not in the parents' budget. Even if you're less particular, still give Mom and Dad a very clear guideline of what you'd like the children to wear (otherwise, you can't be mad when she decides to show up in her princess costume!). Also consider flower-girl props, boutonnieres, and other accessories that might link little ones into your wedding theme and decor.

05
Activities

Activities

If you're inviting small children to your reception (and we suggest you do, if you've asked them to be part of your ceremony), then make sure to provide kid-friendly activities and entertainment. Whether it's as simple as printing out Martha Stewart's I Spy game or as grandiose as hiring a kid musician or balloon twister, the extra thought will go a long way.

06
Gifts

Gifts

If you're only having a few kids in your ceremony, then consider buying each one a premade kid activity kit like this one ($26) from Etsy seller The Little Blue Birdie. Stuffed with a chalkboard, chalk, and an eraser; a blank journal; a set of colored pencils; wood stamps and ink pads; a wooden design-your-own puzzle; a design-your-own stick puppet; and a wooden memory game, this bag guarantees hours of entertainment! Plus, it's a nice way of saying, "Thank you for being part of my big day!"