Absolutely Weddings’ experts answer your wedding planning questions. Here, Nikki Lacey of Artfull Splodgers discusses how to manage children on your wedding day without disasters or tears
Q: We’ve got lots of young children at our wedding and don’t want them to be bored or their parents to miss the party. What should we do?
A: An organised crèche is a must if you have lots of children attending your wedding – I speak also as the mother of four children! Sometimes couples imagine that the smaller children will be looked after by the older ones or by their parents, but it doesn’t work that way at weddings. Many referrals to me are via venues, which see the guestlist and then insist that an organised crèche is the only way to avoid disaster. Obviously they have a duty to consider their property (we work in many leading historic and listed venues). But more than that, they consider the risks to children if they aren’t being safely supervised around hot food, glasses of alcohol and palatial grounds with trees and ponds!
We carry all necessary insurances, are Ofsted registered and have a team of incredibly well-trained staff. We bring along fantastic equipment, from a Techno Zone for older children to crafts and quiet spaces for younger ones. We set up a child-friendly space away from the main party with a high ratio of staff to children, so they will be safe and make new friends.
Many venues insist that an organised crèche is the only way to avoid disaster.
Artfull Splodgers have been organising wedding crèches for over 20 years and of all the testimonials I get, the most frequent comment from couples is that their wedding guests told them the crèche was the best thing about the party. Your guests will really appreciate the chance to let their hair down and you will have a much better time knowing that your young guests are safely supervised and having a great party too.
Nikki Lacey is a qualified nursery nurse (NNEB) and founder of wedding and events crèche service Artfull Splodgers. artfullsplodgers.com
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