Washington-Seattle

I am getting nervous about the kids

So we have kids and they are very much part of the wedding. For that reason I couldn't tell everyone else not to bring there kids. Also I wanted kids to be there for my children to play with. Heres where I am getting nervous. If all the kids under 15 came there will be 20 !!!!!!! I have a babysitter to watch over my two at the wedding. But should I provide a few more for all the kids. There is a lake, stinging nedles, and the river though the stinging needles. I would hope parents would watch there kids but I am now becoming very nervous. DO you have any suggestions for me. Put up signs? Spread the word for people to keep a close eye on the kids? Or am I just over thinking this?

We are getting married next to the lake so the kids will know its there. But the reception is 100 yards away and on a down cline so you cant see it. The stinging bushes are around the perimeter which are 30 feet on the closest side of the tent. And the river is through the bushes/woods about 200 yards away. I would say about 140 out of 160 are from here and know about the bushes being everywhere there are woods in our area and that the river is very close by. As a little back up history :)

Re: I am getting nervous about the kids

  • mergatormergator member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I would put up some signs near the bushes, and also send an email to parents only right before the wedding reminding them of the bushes and make sure they inform their kids/keep an eye on them

    Another thing I have read about kid-friendly weddings is to create an area that's for kids only...a room, a roped off area or whetver with games, coloring books and crayons, books, provide a ball or jumpropes so the kids will have activities to keep them busy and having fun together.
  • edited December 2011
    I like Merg's suggestion of signs, email, and a special "kids" area.  You could even get boxes like http://www.bayleysboxes.com/small%20gable%20box.html and fill them with coloring books, crayons, etc and layout games like a bean bag toss game, horseshoe toss, etc.
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  • edited December 2011
    If I have learned anything about social events with parents & children, it is that parents won't watch their kids.  I don't know why, but every time we have a potluck/performance/graduation there are kids running around unsupervised & behaving poorly.
    SO, my advice to you is send the email mergator mentioned...  and then try not to worry about it.  You have fulfilled your responsibility to your own children, which is awesome.  It really is the other parents' job to be responsible for their own.  Give them fair warning of the dangers of the venue, and then try not to worry.  Hopefully knowing the danger will help them remember to keep any eye on their kids.

    The other thing is, luckily, it seems at weddings kids want to do what the adults are doing.  Like dancing & eating cake.  So they all should stick around anyway.  Good luck!
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  • ivygarlandivygarland member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I like all the above ideas.  With more than just a few kids, having a dedicated room/babysitters usually works out pretty well, and doesn't have to be terribly expensive if you hire students or whatever.

    Signs are a great idea, but remember that you aren't responsible for anyone's fun or happiness except your own.  So, do what you think is right, do your best, be reasonable, and then relax. 
  • edited December 2011
    We ended up having 11 kids aged 10 and younger at our wedding. We were married by the water in a public park so we had some of your same concerns. We had activity books and crayons for the kids at the reception. We didn't have any issues with kids running wild, getting injured or falling into the water. Even with all the liquor we had, the parents all looked after their own.

    I do like the idea of sending an email/calling the parents about the stinging nettles. Some people just aren't aware what those are and wouldn't know to keep away.
    debi & jason 05.01.2010

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