Sunday, November 6, 2011

Children and Weddings

  There is nothing more precious than a small child all dressed up as a flower girl or ring bearer. But there are a few things to keep in mind when inviting children to be part of your wedding party.
  Weddings are hard on small children. They are asked to wear clothes that are different, every adult they know is busy, dressed differently and maybe a little stressed. Children pick up on the adult stress and become stressed themselves when asked to not crawl, play or run around because they are dressed up.
  Here are a few suggestions for having children in your wedding party:
  •     Always make sure the child has had a nap a couple of hours before the wedding.
  •     Make sure children have eaten.
  •     Bring small toys that will keep them happy and occupied while the adults are getting ready.
  •     Dress children at the same time the bride is getting dressed so not to worry about clothes getting crinkled hours before the wedding.
  Keep in mind that small children can be impulsive, a child who did great at the rehearsal can freeze up on the day of the wedding. So keep a sense of humor and enjoy that sometimes wonderful memories are made by unexpected mishaps
  One wedding I shot the flower girl was about 4 years old. She did wonderful at the rehearsal and looked like a darling little princess the day of the wedding. After the wedding party had made their way down the isle, the little flower girl was left standing in front of the bride. The doors to the chapel were closed. Everything was perfect.
  Then the doors opened....
  This little princess got a look of panic on her face when she saw all the people standing for the bride. She managed to toss a few of her flowers, then turned around, ran behind the bride and out the door.
  Everyone, including the bride laughed a bit, and the child's mother jumped up to catch the little girl...and a precious unexpected memory was made.
 
   ~Bonnie