Written by Auntie Aimee's Childcare
From my “Wedding Nanny” experience, I have compiled these top 10 tips to ensure your children are safe, cared for, and included in your Wedding day...
1. Nominate a familiar person for your child(ren) to be with throughout your
wedding day.
During your wedding, you will be so preoccupied with following your order
of service and entertaining guests that your child(ren) will need an
allocated person to call upon when they need to use the toilet, eat,
nap/bedtime, etc. It’s important that they know who this person is
and where to find them at all times. This could be an Auntie, Uncle,
Grandparents, Family Friends, etc. You can then relax knowing someone has
eyes on your child(ren) at all times.
2. An adult on hand during speeches & the ceremony.
Just like above, it can be helpful to have a nominated person on hand
during the ceremony and later on when speeches commence. Both of
these include long periods of having to be calm and sitting still, which
children may struggle with, particularly toddlers & babies. The nominated
person is there to comfort, soothe and distract.
3. Give your child(ren) a special role in your wedding.
There is plenty to pick from:
Flower Girl
Page Boy
Bridesmaid,
Groomsman
Ring Bearer or for those older ones, maybe they feel
confident enough to give a speech.
This will help them feel included and give them something special to focus
on.
4. Ensure there is a ‘quiet/calm space’ for your child(ren) to recharge.
Weddings can be very loud and overstimulating at times that some
children need a moment to collect themselves before returning to ‘party
mode’. Especially when you are the wedding couple’s children - every guest
wants to say hello and have a cuddle! This could be a quiet space within
the venue itself with toys, soft play & cosy area, the bridal suite/hotel
room, or even a space outdoors in the open. It’s amazing what a touch of
fresh air can do!
5. Come well-equipped for all scenarios.
Pack a bag for your child(ren) so whoever is looking out for them during
your special day is ready for all scenarios. This could be stocking up with
wipes, nappies, change of clothes, sleepwear, snacks, first aid/medicine,
thermometer, a favourite small toy or two and the list can go on. Always
be prepared, you don’t want to be sending a guest out in the search for
Calpol at 9 pm!
6. Ensure your child(ren) have their ‘comforters’.
Every child has something in their possession that they snuggle up to
when they are feeling sad, overwhelmed, or tired. From cuddly toys to a
dummy (pacifier) to muslin cloths to baby blankets. Whatever your child
uses to self-soothe, ensure it is packed in their bag.
This could come in handy during speeches, bedtime, and more!
7. Snacks & Hydration
As mentioned previously, a wedding day is very full on for some children.
There are lots of schedules & timings to stick to as well as pulling happy
smiling faces during photographs. Energy & hunger levels can drop quite
dramatically so it’s always helpful to have a snack or two ready to boost
energy levels. It is also important to keep up hydration, especially if
your wedding day is in the Summer months. Pack a water bottle in your
child’s bag so it can be on hand during the day.
8. Naps are a child’s best friend.
If your child(ren) are still having daytime naps, try your best to squeeze
one in somewhere during the day, it doesn't need to be their usual
routine/time. A wedding is a very long day for little ones, so by keeping
their daytime nap in place will ensure their mood is elevated and they will
wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day.
9. Activity Bag/Fidget Toys during sit-down meals.
It’s important to keep children entertained during the sit-down meal. This
could be in the shape of an ‘activity bag’ with age-appropriate items to
keep children entertained between meals or when waiting for the grown
ups to catch up and finish theirs. The activity bag doesn’t need to be
expensive but filled with things, such as a colouring book/magic water
pen books (for children who shouldn’t be trusted with felt tip pens just
yet), bubbles, fidget toys, light-up wands, table games, a small puzzle, etc.
10. Hire a ‘Wedding Nanny’.
If after reading all of this you are feeling overwhelmed then why not hire
a Wedding Nanny? It’s a Wedding Nanny’s job to follow your child’s lead
and have their wellbeing at the forefront of their mind during your
special day.
Each child is different to the next and will respond in their own way
during the day. Some will love the environment, whereas others may need
a familiar person to feel confident and relaxed.
With a Nanny there, it also means that none of your guests or family
members have to leave early/abruptly to soothe your children or put
them to bed - that’s our job! We are solely there for your child(ren).
Come and meet Aimee of Auntie Aimme's Childcare at the Spring Vows & Views Wedding Fair on Sunday 11th May at Pagham Village Hall between 11 am and 3 pm and see what does for yourself.
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