Bijou Wedding Venues returns for Ask Bijou, advising how to keep your younger wedding guests under control and constantly content
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Welcome to the March edition of Ask Bijou. Every month the team behind Bijou Wedding Venues share their wedding and planning advice and they’d love to answer your own venue-related questions in the future. Do you have a question for the Bijou team? Email sarah.george@archant.co.uk to see the answer featured in a future edition of Ask Bijou…
March question:
We want to invite children to our wedding but don’t know how to keep them entertained. What can you suggest?
Bijou’s Advice:
An entire wedding day can be a long slog for small children, so making a plan of how to keep them entertained and happy until the end is vital. We always say keep them happy and keep them under control. It’s also important to ensure you use reputable and licensed suppliers, if you’re leaving the kids in someone’s care.
During the drinks reception
If you’re enjoying a drinks reception outside and the weather is on your side, garden games could be a great option – especially if your wedding venue provides them without charge. Speak to your venue about what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to bringing in your own suppliers. Some wedding venues may not allow something like a bouncy castle, but would allow a children’s entertainer or puppet show.
During the wedding banquet
At Bijou we like to serve the children’s main course when the adult starter is served, and the children’s dessert with the adult main course. We find this helps avoid too much boredom and fidgeting. To help keep children entertained during the meal, you might want to create a small goody bag instead of a wedding favour; including items like a word puzzle, crayons, a book or toy to keep them busy. Plan your own wedding eye-spy game for the kids to enjoy or you may even be able to find wedding-themed colouring books to keep the little ones busy. After their meal, you could invite the children in to a separate room or area to be entertained by a professional nanny or crèche. Speak to your wedding venue about where best to have a crèche set up.
During the evening reception
By the end of the day small children may be feeling tired, but once the disco gets going they might like to join the dance floor for a while and show off their moves. Some parents may wish to have a grandparent or friend collect their child from the wedding so that they enjoy the rest of the evening without having to worry about their youngster. Ensure the hire of your professional wedding nanny or crèche is booked until the time that your wedding comes to an end and don’t forget to consider children when planning your evening buffet.
