It’s no secret (because all of us were children at one time) that when children are bored, they tend to misbehave and get into trouble. The problem with this scenario is that weddings are often meant for adults and can be uneventful for children. There are no shiny things to keep them distracted, no rainbows or stuffed animals, and certainly no clowns or magicians. On top of that, they are wearing clothes that most children find uncomfortable. They most always have to sit up straight and keep quiet. So, yes, weddings have the tendency to turn even the best-behaved young gentleman and young lady into the red head from “Problem Child.” To combat this issue, a lot of couples have weddings and/or receptions where kids are not welcomed, but for other brides, me especially, this is not an option.

Removing children would have been the equivalent to disinviting 40% of my guests, and for us that was not an option. Things seemed to come off with very few hitches, though. My ring bearer chickened out on me at the last minute (which is evident on our wedding DVD) but the flower girls and Bible carrier did a great job of executing their roles. This may also be a great way to keep some of the children busy: create specific jobs for them to do during the wedding. They will feel accomplished, and will resist the urge to misbehave since so many eyes are upon them. If this is not an option, there are some other ideas to keep children celebrating with you and keep them out of trouble.

So for the many brides out there who are currently experiencing this, I have some suggestions on what may make this easier for the adults, and the children:

• We bought coloring books and placed them on the tables as added favors. This way the adults had their table favor, and the children had one as well. The coloring book kept them interested while all of the “boring stuff” was going on during the reception.

• Depending on the venue, there may be an area that can be decorated and transformed into a “Children’s Place.” Giving children their own space would help them feel a little entitled to something. There could be a trusted chaperone to ensure they don’t tear the place apart, but other than that…it would be almost like a clubhouse: No Adults Allowed!

• If the coloring books (or other children’s gifts and distracters) at the reception are not an option, talk to the DJ and see if he can add in some fun group-dancing songs that are family friendly. Then the kids will be able to learn a dance and, in some cases, the adults will, too!

These suggestions are merely a starting point for those brides who aren’t sure how to handle this situation. You may also want to speak with your wedding coordinator to see if he or she has some ideas of his or her own. Remember, this is your day! It is always best to try and ensure that every guest (big and small) have a great time and keep fond memories of the day you chose to join your life with someone else’s.