By: Northwest Square Staff

Weddings are magical, no doubt about it. But when you add kids to the mix, things can get… interesting. From flower girls throwing tantrums to little ones zooming around during your vows, planning a kid-friendly wedding can feel like preparing for a circus act. But fear not! With the right balance of fun and strategy, you can host a wedding that both adults and kids will enjoy. In fact, you might even surprise yourself with how smoothly it all goes. So, buckle up, and let’s dive into how to create a kid-friendly wedding that won’t leave you pulling your hair out.

1. Choose the Right Venue

The first step to a kid-friendly wedding? Finding the right venue! You need somewhere spacious, easy to navigate, and that has a little flexibility for all the kiddo chaos that could unfold. Northwest Square in DeLand, FL, is an excellent example of a wedding venue that’s both stylish and accommodating for all ages. With its spacious layout and charming historic setting, it has enough room for kids to run around without disrupting the elegance of the event. Plus, the beautiful outdoor areas mean the kids can stretch their legs in the fresh air (and hopefully wear off some energy).

If you’re considering somewhere with indoor space, be sure to check if there’s an area where kids can play or hang out. Having a designated kid’s corner with fun activities will give them the chance to stay entertained while you enjoy your reception. Trust us, it’ll be a lifesaver when Aunt Marge’s speech goes on for just a little too long.

2. Keep the Ceremony Short and Sweet

It’s hard enough to keep adults focused during a long ceremony, let alone kids with short attention spans and a full day of excitement ahead of them. The key here is to keep it short and sweet.

Think about trimming down your ceremony to the essentials: vows, a quick reading, and then boom, you’re married. The quicker you get through the ceremony, the less likely kids will start squirming, or worse, start yelling “Are we done yet?” louder than the officiant.

If you can, allow the children to participate—having them bring the rings down the aisle or help with the unity ceremony (hello, adorable flower girls and ring bearers!) can make them feel like part of the special moment. Just don’t make them stand still for too long—no one wants to be the parent of the kid who’s throwing a tantrum during your vows.

3. Provide Entertainment for the Little Ones

A few crayons and some paper might suffice for some kids, but for others, you’ll need to reach deep into the reserves to keep them entertained.

Consider setting up a kid’s zone with fun activities. Think:

• A small play area with soft toys and games like building blocks or Legos.

• A DIY craft station where kids can make wedding-themed creations.

• A “quiet corner” for movie time with kid-friendly flicks and bean bags for lounging.

For a wedding at Northwest Square in DeLand, the outdoors is an ideal spot for such activities. If you’re considering an outdoor component for your reception, you could create a play area inside a tent with a little section dedicated to kids with games and some fun surprises. For extra fun, consider hiring a professional children’s entertainer like a clown, magician, or balloon artist to keep things lively.

4. Kid-Friendly Menu

Kids can be picky eaters. At your wedding, you want to avoid the awkward moment when a child turns up their nose at your elegant salmon hors d’oeuvres (it’s okay, we all know kids would rather have pizza).

Make sure to offer a kid-friendly menu that caters to picky eaters and younger tastes. Think pasta, chicken fingers, mini sliders, fruit cups, and pizza. Not only will kids love it, but parents will also appreciate that they’re not shelling out $20 for a meal their kid won’t touch.

If you’re having a buffet-style reception, make sure there are child-height tables or chairs where little ones can easily serve themselves. Trust us, nothing kills the fun like a tantrum caused by toddlers trying to reach the macaroni and cheese.

5. Choose the Right Music

When it comes to your wedding music, be sure to consider the little ones who will be there. Not every song is appropriate for kids, and not every tune will get them up and dancing.

Start by making sure there are kid-friendly songs mixed in with your playlist. Everyone loves an old-school dance-off, and children always get a kick out of classic fun tunes like “YMCA” or “Macarena.” These songs are guaranteed crowd-pleasers and will get kids (and adults) on their feet, busting out their best moves.

If you’re hiring a DJ, ask them to include some kid-friendly songs during the reception and maybe even schedule a kid’s dance hour. This will not only keep them entertained but might also give the adults a moment to relax and catch their breath from all the excitement.

6. Keep Kids Close to the Action (But Not Too Close)

While you want the kids to feel like part of the action, you don’t want them to be all up in the middle of it, distracting from the adult festivities. For instance, have the kids seated at tables near the action but not right next to the dance floor. This gives the adults a chance to enjoy the celebration while keeping the kids close enough for comfort.

A fun option is to incorporate a “kids’ table” at the reception. Deck it out with activities to keep them entertained. You could even consider assigning each kid a specific “wedding role,” like flower scatterer, mini photographer, or even “assistant to the bride” (with a toy bouquet, of course).

7. Hire a Babysitter or Kid’s Coordinator

If your wedding has a large number of kids, consider hiring a professional to oversee the little ones. Whether it’s a babysitter, nanny, or a dedicated kids’ coordinator, having someone to monitor the kids during the ceremony and reception will ease any worries.

A coordinator will ensure that everyone stays safe and entertained—plus, they can help prevent the “I want to go home” meltdown that often happens when kids get overwhelmed or overtired. That way, the parents can let loose on the dance floor while knowing their children are in good hands.

8. The Power of the “Kid-Free” Moments

While the goal is to make sure kids have a good time, let’s be real: every now and then, you might need a moment of peace away from the little ones. Consider having a portion of the evening that’s kid-free, where you can enjoy adult conversation, a cocktail, or some uninterrupted dancing.

You don’t have to banish the kids from the party altogether, but carving out a few kid-free moments will give both the children and adults a breather.

Final Thoughts

Planning a kid-friendly wedding doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style or fun. With the right venue, a little creativity, and a lot of flexibility, you can have a wedding where kids have fun and adults can enjoy the celebration, too.

With its spacious layout and charming historic setting, Northwest Square in DeLand, FL, is an excellent example of a wedding venue that’s both stylish and accommodating for all ages.