A place for children

Kids are sometimes left out of the loop at weddings, but Robyn and Simon Athearn’s goal for the entire weekend was to make everyone feel included, even the youngest tots. The couple had twelve children in their wedding party and every one was dressed to the nines. Flower girls wore pink and orange tutu skirts, white tops, and floral crowns, and the boys looked spiffy in their matching bow ties and blue checked shirts.

“I think the kids had a really good time because they felt special. There were all these older people dressed up, and they had these fancy little outfits,” Robyn says.

Kids participated in the Maypole dance and an egg hunt. During the reception, the children went upstairs to the balcony area with baby sitters, giving the adults some time together on the dance floor. It was fun for everyone.
“We thought that they would get so much out of being part of the wedding and being part of the wedding excitement and getting the right clothes,” Simon says. “They should be included because they’re such a big part of our lives.”

If children attend a reception dinner, make sure there’s age-appropriate food for them. To keep busy, kids can make artsy-craftsy gifts and cards for the bride and groom. Pipe cleaners, crayons, colored pencils, stickers, and construction paper are all easy to clean up. If a side room is available, set up some movies. For antsy kids, try a change of scene, even if it’s just a walk around the block, through the woods, or down to a nearby beach – with supervision, of course.

[Originally published in conjunction with an article in the 2012 issue of Martha's Vineyard Magazine's Island Weddings.]