The hot blog for celebrity wedding style, top tips for the wedding of your dreams, speech ideas, budget busters & more.
Your wedding day is meant to be all about you and your spouse, but when you already have children, it can be hard to devote all the attention to the two of you when there are other people who demand it as well.
That's not to say you can't still have the wedding of your dreams, but you have to plan your Big Day carefully to ensure everyone - especially your little ones - are as happy as you are.
What you do to keep your youngsters entertained will vary depending on their age, which is why we think these ideas will help you:
Babies and toddlers
In some respects having time to yourself and your new husband or wife at your wedding can the hardest when your child is still a baby or toddler, as they are more attached to you than any other age group - particularly if they're wary of all the unfamiliar faces and excitement going on around them.
However, babies - in particular - can also provide you with times when they're napping, allowing you a brief respite to enjoy yourself with your guests.
If you have a baby or toddler, we suggest trying to make them feel part of the Big Day by putting on a special outfit. But don't expect much out of them, as they won't understand what's going on, so it may be best to leave flower girl or page boy duties to slightly older children.
You can also enrol the help of your parents to look after them while you're having your photos taken and during the ceremony.
Some hotels provide childcare services, so it's worth choosing a wedding venue that has a babysitter, especially once the evening do gets going. Then you don't have to worry about leaving your own wedding early to put them to bed.
If you're feeding your baby, this can be particularly difficult. Make sure you choose a dress that you can easily open and there's a comfortable room in the venue for you to go to if you want some privacy. You might not want to miss too much of your special day, so it could be a good idea to express some milk and get someone else feed them on this important occasion.
However young your little ones are, you'll find a huge range of entertainment options, and great venues that are child friendly within our directories. So don't forget to take a look!
School age children
Children between the ages of four and 11 can often be the loudest and most boisterous, but in some respects, they're easier than toddlers, as you can explain to them what is happening and why they have to be quiet during certain times - like when you say your vows.
You can also leave them to themselves a bit more, especially if there are other friends at your wedding who are the same age as them.
A good idea to keep them amused is to hire a children's entertainer. This could be a special treat for your children, as it's an important day for them as well as you. There are all sorts of firms you can hire - from magicians and balloon artists to clowns and face painters.
You could even rent a bouncy castle and make it a really fun day for the kids outside while parents enjoy the Champagne reception.
Teenagers
To really get teenagers excited about your wedding day, you have to make them feel involved. One lovely way to do this is to make them members of your wedding party. Your daughter/s could be your bridesmaids, and lots of grooms are increasingly asking their sons to be their best man.
It also makes them feel like they have a role during crucial parts of the day, from the ceremony and photoshoots to the speeches and sitting on the top table. Otherwise, they might feel like a bit of a third wheel all day long.
You don't really have to keep them entertained at this age, as they can mingle with guests and look after themselves. However, some venues have rooms with games consoles in, which might be a good way to keep them busy during dips during the day, such as between the dinner and first dance.
It's also worth hiring a DJ or band that will play popular modern tunes. This way they're more likely to get up when the music starts playing and show you a thing or two about dancing!
You'll find all the tools you'll need to plan yourself by clicking here, including a FREE wedding website with gift list, table planner, to do list, budget planner and much more.
Click here for more planning blogs and tips.