We have made it very clear around here that we know pretty much next to nothing (hello, our tag line). And after the weekend I lived last week I am confident that I know even less than I originally thought.
This past weekend we had the awesome and amazing pleasure of attending 2 weddings where some people who mean more to us than they know got married. The weddings were beautiful and it was an honor to be apart of them. Where this whole story gets tricky is that we did not just attend each wedding but were IN both of them. Our girls were in both and my husband and I in 1. And how it went, lets just say this weekend may have aged me a few years.
In order to make sure you, my dear friends, do not make some of the same mistakes I did I present to you:
Don’t Forget Snacks
I know, what mom leaves the house without a million snacks but, if you are me you do. This is seriously the number one tip I could give you. Pack every snack you can think of pull out your entire snack arsenal and do not underestimate how much your child will eat. Don’t have snacks and you will be left with children latching themselves to the front of you while simultaneously jumping up and down doing a high pitched wine of snnnnaaaackkksss, I need snnnnnaaaacccckkksss.
Ain’t no body got time for all of that!
Bring Plenty of Entertainment
This is another key component to ensure you have a smoother wedding experience. Bring every electronic, book, small toy, crayons, busy book, busy bag, puzzle, figurines and anything else you can get your hands on to entertain them.
You know how kids are in new situations, everything all of a sudden spoofs them and they just can’t sit still. Bring your own make shift play room. Heck I even recommend bringing one of those baby/toddler fences I mean play yard, yes play yard.
Let us all Nap
Nough said!
Make a Plan
This probably should have been at the top of the list but in my world, the others were way more important in the keep my sanity department.
I am not a planner, I am a fly by the seats of my pants kind of girl and with every passing day as a mom I am realizing how that just does not work. For a wedding your kids are apart of, plan. Plan every detail no matter how silly it may be.
- Know exactly what is expected of them. Get with the bride ahead of time and know her expectations.
- In the nicest way possible make sure the Bride understands how realistic her expectations are.
- Have a Plan B.
- PRACTICE with your kids and insist that they get to actually DO the rehearsal with everyone else.
- Cross your fingers and hope it all goes off without a hitch. No, to a disastrous hitch and yes, to 2 people getting hitched.
Have Extra Hands
Have extra hands on deck. If you are lucky like us and will have grandparents to help, yay for you. If not, find a fill in. No matter how great of a team you and the hubs are kids are kids and weddings last for hours. You will need a break. Find some allies who love your kids and don’t be afraid to ask for a little help.
Sit on the Back Row Near an Exit
I don’t care what anyone tells you, sit on the back row and find your quickest escape route. Sitting on the front row ensures that your shyest most silent child will decide to start saying every word they have ever learned right as the bride and groom start to announce their undying love for each other. It is inevitable, learn from my mistake on this one.
Check their Outfit
Another self explanatory tip and again arguably the most important, check your kids clothes one last time before they walk down the aisle. Or you may end up with something like this…..
Except for not at the rehearsal and at the actually wedding with her dress tucked in her panties. True story!
Well, there ya go! I hope the next time your little ones are invited to be apart of someones big day this helps. Although we loved being apart of such wonderful occasions for those we love I do have to say that after Weddingpalooza 2014 I am weddinged out!
Any of you wedding experienced moms out there have any tips that I missed? Do share!
LOL, gotta love the unintentional toddler flash. Kennedy was my sister’s flower girl last year (at 1.5 years old!! eeek, brave sister). We practiced and practiced and practiced with her walking down the aisle and had Greg sit at the end. My in-laws were there to take her out immediately if she made any noise/cried. When it was finally time to do it for real, I set her down and she took off! She not only passed up Greg but ran up the stairs to the groom! It was very cute and she laughed and squealed the entire time down the aisle, and luckily my inlaws were there to help. They also took her home early so we could continue partying at the reception.
How fun! The unpredictability of the whole thing is what made me nervous but luckily our only mishap was the flash. Seriously though I would be great without any weddings for at least a couple of years.