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Kids In The Wedding Party
Should They Be in Yours?
By Gretchen Maurer
Aren't they cute?! Wedding pictures aren't complete without
a flower girl and a ring bearer! Or maybe you don't want kids
and your getting a little flack?
Kids will be kids! This phrase wasn't coined by accident.
If you want kids in the wedding remember you are not getting
married on Fantasy Island! Having attended to the beauty needs
of hundreds of brides I have seen and heard my share of kids
in the wedding party stories. Following are some tips and
suggestions to help you get a better perspective on having
children in attendance.
Some brides want it all; kids, dogs, butterflies, doves, you
name it. So if your heart is set on having your little niece
and your cousin's son walk down the aisle then I say go for
it! But do it with planning! Some brides think they want the
kids in the wedding, but the bride may find she is better
off having cardboard cutouts as stand- IN's then to have to
deal with the real thing. On the other hand some of you are
leaning to the side of a "no kids" wedding. For
those of you sitting on the fence, let me help you choose
a side.
When to have kids in the wedding party:
- You love children! You love their spontaneity
and if they do something silly you think it will just add
more charm and laughs to your day. (You'll make a great
Mom too!)
- You are getting married early in the day.
Kids are better when it is not too late in the day. This
way Mom and Dad will not have to leave early to get their
cranky angels off to bed. Or plan on hiring someone to whisk
the kids away for the night.
- The children are local and can sleep in their
own bed the night before. I had a bride who was
having a male friend's daughter in the wedding. However,
the child's parents were divorced so the mother was not
in attendance to the wedding. The little girl couldn't hang
out with Daddy and the grooms' men, so the bride had her
sleep at her house the night before. The bride arrived late
and stress to the salon the next morning because SHE had
to give the child a morning bath! Not Good!
- They are your own children. By all means
they should be a part of this special event. By being included
and involved they will feel more secure about their significance
and place in your new life.
- You don't care how her hair looks. Requesting
a specific hairstyle for the flower girl can get tricky.
Not every child's hair will hold a curl, nor will they sit
long enough to get it done.
I had three little sisters that were all in the wedding.
Once the mother got everyone through the door and into the
brides non-child proof small apartment everyone was stressed!
The bride wanted them all to have French braids and the
youngest child was three years old. She kept pushing my
hand out of the way and as I would braid a section of hair
she would rip it out. Oh well!
- You know they are "good" children.
Some kids are born to be in weddings. Lois Pearce,
President of Beautiful Occasions in Hamden, Connecticut
adds, " One of the key things to think about when considering
these children is their maturity level. Does the child behave
well (within reason) around adults? Are they able to understand
directions?
Just because they are cute is not the criteria for them to
upstage the bride on her wedding day." Whether they love
the attention or they are easy going and compliant you and
their parents need to feel confident they will do their job
well. Hey, considered them for hire. ( Just kidding )
By Gretchen Maurer, Bridal hair specialist and author of "The
Business of Bridal Beauty", as well as creator of www.weddinghair.com
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