Little Guests, Big Impact
Children can bring joy, spontaneity, and unforgettable moments to a wedding day. They can also bring logistical challenges and uncomfortable moments. From our side of the event world, we’ve seen it all. From flower girls having unfortunate potty accidents and toddlers helping themselves to every food item containing red dye, to the occasional ring bearer who likes to climb newly planted trees and the tiny tot who gets run over by adults on the dance floor.
If you’re deciding whether (and how) to include kids at your wedding, here is some practical advice from a venue perspective to help your day run smoothly.
Decide Early: Adults-Only or Family-Friendly?
The first and most crucial step is clarity. As a venue, one of the biggest challenges we see is last-minute confusion about whether children are invited. This affects seating counts, catering, staffing, and even fire code capacity. The other issue we frequently encounter is long events (6-8 hours) where children are expected to both behave and entertain themselves, frequently out of the parent’s or guardian’s eyesight.
Of course, guests of any age are always welcome at The Venue (unless a client specifically disallows children based on the type of event). We do, however, have some policies regarding youth at events, the most important of which is that children under thirteen must always have adult supervision. Failure to do so not only puts Venue staff in an awkward position because - to keep children safe and property undamaged - they turn into babysitters by default, but it also results in loss of the client’s damage deposit.
Venue Tip:
Make your preference clear on invitations and your wedding website.
Communicate consistently to avoid awkward day-of conversations.
There is no “right” answer...only what fits your vision, budget, and guest list.
Consider Your Space & Layout
Some venues naturally lend themselves to children being present. Others require more planning.
From a facility standpoint, here’s what we look at:
Vendor equipment areas (DJ booths, catering stations)
Tight table layouts or formal place settings
Length of the event
Whether or not alcohol is served
Venue Tip: Assign specific adults to supervise young children and do not let them roam the facility on their own. We’ve had incidents of unsupervised children (younger than 5) leaving the building and playing in the parking lot. One was even doing so barefoot! Fortunately, a Venue staff member saw them and immediately brought them inside and reported the incident.
Talk to Your Caterer About Kid-Friendly Options
From a catering standpoint, children change the flow of service. Kids eat faster (or not at all), spill more often, and may not enjoy plated, multi-course meals.
If you’re hosting families, consider offering a simplified children’s meal option. Another suggestion is to offer an earlier meal service for kids, perhaps with a fun, supervised game or activity planned for them while the adults eat. Smaller portion sizes are also an option.
These strategies can help your timeline stay on track and reduce waste, as well as keeping all guests comfortable and happy.
Create a “Kid Zone”
When there are multiple children attending, the most successful weddings and events usually include intentional planning specifically for the kids. Ideas that work well from our experience:
A coloring or craft table (no markers or glue!)
Wedding-themed activity bags
Lawn games during cocktail hour
A separate lounge area with child-friendly snacks (and supervision)
Hiring an on-site sitter or childcare professional
These ideas keep children engaged and allow parents to relax and fully enjoy the celebration.
Plan for the Ceremony
Ceremonies are where emotions (and volume levels) can peak. We’ve seen beautiful, heart-melting moments, as well as very loud, very unexpected interruptions. As a venue, we always appreciate couples who plan for flexibility rather than perfection.
To reduce stress, you might consider eating families with young children toward the back or aisle so they can easily step out if needed. You might also keep the ceremony meaningful, but concise. Lastly, consider reserving a quiet space away from the ceremony where parents can wrangle the little ones during energy bursts (or outbursts!).
Budget & Staffing Considerations
From an operational standpoint, children can affect staffing ratios, linen and other rental counts, security and liability considerations, and clean-up time. This doesn’t mean “don’t invite kids.” It simply means that you’d be wise to factor them into your planning. A well-planned, family-friendly wedding feels seamless. A last-minute, knee-jerk adjustment feels chaotic.
Remember the Bigger Picture
From a venue’s perspective, children often create some of the most memorable moments of the day, with spontaneous laughter, candid dance floor magic, and heartfelt joy. But they also require thoughtful planning.
If your dream wedding includes the next generation celebrating alongside you, build the day with intention. If you envision a sophisticated evening focused on adult conversation and dancing, that’s perfectly appropriate too.
The most successful weddings aren’t about whether kids attend. They are about clear communication, thoughtful coordination, and aligning your guest experience with your vision. And when that alignment happens? Every guest, no matter their age, feels welcome.