“My family has a lot of younger children. What are some good ways to entertain them and ensure everyone has a good time?”

Megan: My head is screaming “Craft time! Craft time!” but maybe that’s just the babysitter in me.

Sarah: Okay, so putting together a craft table would be a really cute idea. You’d have to be really careful with what kinds of crafts you get, though.
(Check out the awesome pre-made kid tables at Kate Parker Weddings)

Brittany: Yeah, because even crayons could be bad. You could use those Crayola markers that only write on special paper. I think they’re called Color Wonder.

Megan: I agree. No glitter, no glue, no crap that will end up on your wedding dress, the walls of the hall, or the tablecloths you’re renting.

Sarah: What about assigning the kids “jobs that will be fun but also entertain them and give them a sense of purpose. Maybe give them digital cameras or disposable cameras and asking them to take pictures around the reception.

Brittany: What about hiring a balloon artist? They can come pretty cheap and work off tips. You could drop $50-100 and you have kids and drunk adults entertained for hours.

Megan: I saw some really cute programs once before. The wedding was outside, so the girl had glued popsicle sticks to her programs to make them into fans, and had a puzzle on the back of the program. On the bottom of the popsicle stick, she had drilled a hole for a string that attached a golf pencil.

Sarah: You can put a wrestling pit in there and all the unruly kids can go duke it out.

Brittany: You could order kid food too, which will end up being cheaper than serving them what everyone else is eating. Some chicken nuggets, some macaroni and cheese, and maybe a hot dog and you’ll be their new favorite person. Also, if your budget is a little bigger, you could see if the hall you’re renting has a smaller room where the kids can stay with a babysitter or two, and hire a poor college student.

Megan: My vote is still for a craft table with wedding-dress appropriate crafts and kid food. And maybe if you have a 15 year old cousin or know of a poor kid in college, you could pay them to watch the table.

Sarah: I would’ve gone for a gig like that back in college.

Megan: I would did a gig like that now.

Brittany: Hint-hint, people getting married near us.

It's Just a Family Tradition

If your fiancé’s family has a tradition of passing down a dress/veil/garter/piece of jewelry that clashes with what you had in mind, how do you politely refuse it without damning your entire future relationship with your in-laws?

Brittany: I’d bring the issue up with your fiancé first, so he can back you up with whatever you decide.

Megan: The bride needs to talk to them and share her vision of what she had in mind for the big day. Maybe they can compromise.

Sarah: Okay, this question is kind of difficult for me because unless this item was absolutely hideous, I would be completely honored if my soon-to-be mother-in-law asked me to wear something with lineage.

Megan: And hey, she might be lucky not having to pay major bucks for a vintage veil that some brides would die for. That is, if that’s her style.

Brittany: But for every diamond-encrusted necklace there’s a long-sleeve wedding gown lurking around the corner. Plus, the question is how to turn things down.

Sarah: The bride should sit down and be honest with them. A lot of places would tell you to fib a little or make up excuses, but why not start things off by leveling with them?

Megan: Valid pont.

Brittany: I agree. I mean, you’re going to have to deal with these people for a long time. Or a short time, I guess, if you get a quick divorce.

Sarah: Having your fiancé back you up is important, but it also might be important to carry on a family tradition, so you may need to compromise.

Brittany: I agree with what you said before. If it’s something small like jewelry, you should probably do your damndest to make it work.

Megan: If it’s a dress you could easily get out of it by saying something like “I’m sorry, it doesn’t fit.”

Sarah: If she pushes the issue, you need to stand up to her. Give her a way to gracefully accept your decline by saying something along the lines of “I’m sorry it doesn’t fit, doesn’t go with how I’ve imagined my wedding, but thank you so much for offering. It really means a lot to me.” Maybe if the veil or dress is salvageable you could alter it to how you want it.

Brittany: Ah yes, I can see it now. The in-laws having a shit fit as you walk down the aisle in a mutilated version of their family heirloom.

Megan: Don’t forget, you could always pull the “grandkid” card. “You’ll let me cut up that veil or you’ll never see your grandchildren!”

Sarah: Also a good idea! Ladies who are already on shaky grounds with their in-laws, use the grandkid card. There’s nothing like threatening them with the unborn generation.*


*thats a joke...you know...probably...