Have you been invited to a destination wedding with young children? Attending a destination wedding can be a very fun experience, offering the chance to celebrate love while also having plenty of time to explore a new place. However, with kids in tow, there can be some hurdles to navigate – particularly when it comes to traveling long distances and keeping them entertained on the wedding day. But, so long as you leave plenty of time to plan, your trip will go smoothly and be an enjoyable experience.
In this guide, we share four tips for navigating a destination wedding with young children.
How to Navigate a Destination Wedding with Young Children
Plan Ahead and Set Expectations
It’s essential that you leave ample time to prepare for your trip and communicate with your children about how the wedding day will unfold, using language they’ll understand. You may want to explain that some days will be spent as a family, while others – like the wedding – will be spent with other guests, so they know what to expect on each day of the trip.
If your children have been to a wedding before, you’re in luck – if not, you may want to show them pictures and videos of weddings so they have an idea of how the day is likely to play out, from the ceremony through to the evening reception. You may also want to arrange a back-up plan in case your children struggle on the wedding day – consider hiring a babysitter or planning for a parent or family member to look after the children if you think they might find it difficult to be at the wedding all day.
Consider Travel and Accommodation Logistics
To ensure the entire family is comfortable throughout your stay, you’ll want to choose accommodation and travel options that suit your children’s needs. For example, a hotel room that comes with a cot for a baby or toddler, or a rental vehicle to drive to and from the wedding venue that comes equipped with the appropriate car seat. It’s also a good idea to pick accommodation that’s close to the wedding venue, for ease of travel on the wedding day.
By ensuring you have everything you need, the logistics of each day will feel far less complicated, allowing you to relax and enjoy your time away with less stress.
Arrange Child-Friendly Activities
It can be difficult for young children to stay entertained for the duration of a trip that’s largely focused around the adults. On days that you’re not spending with the wedding party, make sure to incorporate lots of child-friendly activities into your itinerary, to ensure they get the most they can out of the trip.
It may also be worth speaking to the bride or groom about the entertainment that’ll be available for children on their special day. While many couples will arrange entertainment especially for the kids, this isn’t guaranteed. If it’s likely your children will get bored while they’re at the wedding, consider packing some small toys or games to keep them occupied throughout the day.
Exercise Patience and Understanding
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that no trip is always entirely predictable – while you can make a loose plan, you should expect the unexpected, and know that unplanned scenarios may crop up. An ability to be flexible, patient and understanding is essential when travelling with young children.
A wedding can feel like a high-pressure situation for young children. Remember that they may find the experience stressful or overwhelming, so you’ll want to ensure you’re able to be there to console them if you need to. Try to keep the trip lighthearted to help put your kids at ease in time for the big day and to ensure the destination wedding with young children is a great success.
