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.
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