What to Do With the Kids at Your Wedding

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Here are a few tips to include the little ones in your wedding day with some kid-friendly fun. These ideas will keep the kids happy, and you calm, cool and collected.

1. Hire a professional. Think about hiring a clown, comedian, caricature artist, magician, mime, story teller, ventriloquist, etc. It's a simple way to keep the children happy and entertained and the adults "off the hook." Research local entertainment vendors and party-planning companies to find the perfect entertainer for your young audience.
2. Create a sports center. Have active children attending? Consider transforming the play space into a sports palace. You can rent or borrow Ping-Pong tables, air hockey, a basketball, hula hoops, Twister and a putt-putt machine. And if you're having your reception at a hotel or country-club, you might be able to find the necessary equipment you need on the grounds.
3. Make a craft room. For kids who are younger, turn one room into an arts-and-crafts center. Some ideas: Have a coloring contest with prizes for the most colorful drawings; provide beads for necklaces they can take home; or set up a table for sand art. To do sand art, you'll need different color sand (or kids can create their own with white salt and colored chalk), plastic spoons and clear plastic containers or jars for the kids to fill.
4. Make them superstars. Use a room as "production headquarters" for a video the kids create and star in. (Ask your videographer to bring an extra staff person to assist the kids, or get a tech-savvy friend to help). Bring some old clothes and jewelry, a portable tape or CD player and some background music along with movie prop paraphernalia. The adult helping can assist the kids in coming up with a simple story (a mystery wedding or a music video, for example) and choose actors. The kids will dress up, practice their roles, then act for the camera. You can even show the video at the end of the reception. 

For 11 more tips, check out Wedding Guests: What to Do With Kids.

6 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer

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The most money you'll spend for your wedding reception is on the food, so you want to be sure you're working with a top professional. With that said, here are six questions you should ask potential caterers before hiring them for your wedding:

1. Does the caterer specialize in particular types of food or service? Your caterer should provide you with sample menus to look over.
2. What is the average price range? Are fees itemized based on the foods you choose, or is there an all-inclusive flat rate? What would the flat rate include (tax, linens and gratuity)? Does he or she have printed price sheets for food selections?
3. Will the caterer supply chairs, tables, plates, linens, silverware, etc.? Ask to see the items provided to be sure they're in acceptable condition. Do you need to rent tables, place settings and other items, or will the caterer arrange for the rentals?
4. Will he or she be willing to include a recipe from you, such as a special family dish or an appetizer with sentimental significance? Can they fix vegetarian, kosher, kids or halal meals for only a few of your guests?
5. Where will the food be prepared? Are there facilities on-site, or do you, the caterer and the site manager need to make other arrangements? If the caterer has to bring his or her own equipment, is there an added fee?
6. Does the caterer have a license? (This means his or her business has met health department standards and has liability insurance; also, be sure this includes a liquor license as well if you're having a bar).

For more questions to ask your caterer, visit 17 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Caterer.