Has anyone ever taken a 2 year old or a 10 month old to a wedding?

NewFamily09 · October 2011

My brother's wedding is next week. My 2 year old is the ring bearer. We're also bringing my 10 month old. It's out of town and I don't know anyone who lives there who could watch the baby. I'm really nervous about how I'm going to keep them quiet during the ceremony. I'd really like to actually watch the wedding, not be fighting with my kid or stepping out of the church and missing the whole thing. I know my 2 year old is going to want to run all over the place once his ring bearer role is finished. Any ideas? Has anyone survived a wedding with kids? My 10 month old is pretty mellow so he'd be happy, but he can be vocal at times, loves to sing, and I don't want him to disrupt the wedding.

Wally3 · October 2011

My friend just had a 2, 3, 5 year old in her wedding and a 10ish month attend. They were all good except the 5 ring bearer got nervous and grandpa had to hold him. There wedding was really short though. If it is going to be a long wedding or you don't want to take them to the reception ask the bride for the name of someone local to babysit - she may know someone or be able to find find someone who knows. My friend has babysat for a couple of friends who came out of town for weddings with kids.

mittensonkittens · October 2011

I brought DS1 to a wedding at 10 months, and it was hard to keep him quiet. Luckily it was an outdoor ceremony and short. I think you'd have a hard time paying attention with the baby and the 2 year old. I'd look into getting a babysitter. Do you have any family in the area of the wedding? You wouldn't need a super qualified person, I'd try to get a high school or college student. Do you have a teenage cousin who could bring a friend to entertain the kids in the back of the church?

robynlesley · October 2011

We took DS to my friend's wedding when he was 21 months old and it was ... eh. I mean DH had to chase him all over and we didn't REALLY enjoy ourselves. We left before dessert, sadly, because he was overtired and wouldn't nap in a stroller. But, overall, it wasn't terrible.

Mrs.DeliaMarieP · October 2011

My son was in two weddings this year, one at 18 months, the other at 2 years and also came to another wedding a couple of weeks ago. He was an angel all 3 times. I brought a sippy and a container with cheerios, which were lifesavers ( https://www.target.com/p/SNACK-CATCH-MUNCHKIN-SNACK-CATCHER/-/A-13296350 ) I also put a pen and paper in his diaper bag so that I could give it to him to keep him quietly occupied because he loves to color.

For the weddings he was in, I made sure my DH was crouched down at the end of the aisle and while we were waiting for DS to walk down I kept whispering to him and telling him to bring the pillow to Daddy.

I made sure he got good naps those days and went to bed at a reasonable time the night before (which was tough because we had to do the rehearsal dinners, but luckily they were afternoon weddings)

Good luck!

mylittlesunshine · October 2011

robynlesley:
We took DS to my friend's wedding when he was 21 months old and it was ... eh. I mean DH had to chase him all over and we didn't REALLY enjoy ourselves. We left before dessert, sadly, because he was overtired and wouldn't nap in a stroller. But, overall, it wasn't terrible.

I agree with this. We took DD (who is about to turn 2) and I ended up missing the ceremony because I was chasing after her (and if someone would try and take her she would cry "mama mama mama") and at the reception she wouldn't sit still. This last weekend I was matron of honor in a wedding. Luckily, DH parents drove to the wedding as well and watched her the entire day. It was nice to be able to enjoy the wedding without having to worry about her running around and even nicer getting to go to the reception and not have to worry about entertaining her. Plus, we were able to stay out longer and didn't have to worry about taking her back to the hotel and putting her to bed.

Good luck

lmdbww · October 2011

DD was slightly over 2 when she was flower girl in my BIL's wedding. She was up on the altar w/DH part of the time and when she got fidgety, I took her for a walk away from the ceremony area so she wasn't a distraction.

Jen&Len · October 2011

I've taken both kids to several weddings. I know family usually sits up front, but would it be possible for you to sit in the back (or near the door) in case you need to dash out?

Will there be dancing at the reception? Both of my kids were on the dance floor pretty much the entire time.

ellesmama · October 2011

We took DD to 2 different weddings this summer. The 1st was a very formal, church wedding and she would NOT be quiet. We ended up having to take her outside. The other was a less formal, outdoor event and she did fine there. We stayed back- away from the crowd and she walked around and found rocks, flowers, etc... Her cousin, who was 1 at the time was also there- and I honestly think they were able to keep each other somewhat entertained. I think the setting makes a huge difference!

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