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Kids and Receptions
Steve Bergeron 14 November, 2007 04:45:12 | 554 times read
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WHAT TO DO WITH THE KIDS?
Omaha Brides and Grooms often face the dilemma of whether or not to invite children to their Wedding and Reception. I have worked with a lot of brides who have ordered their Wedding invitations through me that ask if they should mention on the invitation anything about kids (whether to invite or not invite).
Of all the Brides and Grooms I have worked with there was only one couple that actually put on their response card "Please No Children".
The point is that most Brides and Grooms are not going to be that blunt and would not want to leave anyone out anyway. After all, a Reception is supposed to include family and friends with no age requirements. The bottom line is that 99% of the Wedding Receptions I have DJed in Omaha have had children in attendance.
To the Omaha Bride or Groom I am asking you if you have given any thought to what the kids will do at your Wedding Reception.
Imagine that your 6 years old sitting at someone's Wedding Reception with your parents. Chances are that you are going to be completely bored and restless. Yes, it is an important day for the Bride and Groom but children do not always understand the importance of a Wedding Day.
Often during the dinner you will see kids running around the dance floor trying to entertain themselves. In fact, you could say that an empty dance floor is the closest thing these kids have to a playground at the reception and that is why they are attracted to it.
I was Djing a reception a few years back that had about 25 small children in attendance. Once I started the dance music the dance floor was packed! with small kids. I was playing songs like "In the Mood", "Rock around the clock" etc and no one was dancing. It was just a huge dance floor with a bunch of kids running around on it playing tag. No adults were going to try to attempt dancing on a floor full of kids. Needless to say I was frustrated and I felt useless. This got me thinking about this dilemma with kids and Wedding Receptions. You really cannot blame the kids. After all there is nothing for them to do. I almost feel worse for the parents who have to try to keep there kids entertained and still have time to enjoy the Wedding Day themselves.
So back in 1994 I had a brainstorm and came up with a perfect solution to helping to keep the kids entertained while at the same time letting the adults dance and enjoy themselves. I went out and bought a book and a bag of balloons and learned how to make balloon animals. Sounds cheesy but it worked beyond my expectations. During the dinner at the receptions I would walk around and make small balloon animals for the kids. I told them that I would make one animal for them now and that once we started the dance music I would make them more.
Let me tell you that this opened the dance floor up for the adults to take over. I simply played some great tunes and kept the kids busy at the DJ table by making them balloons. It was perfect in that it kept the kids busy and plenty entertained. In addition is freed up the adults to bust some moves on the dance floor. To this day I still do this at every gig because it has never failed to work.
Now with all this being said I do understand that there are some Omaha Brides and Grooms that would be reluctant to have me do this in fear that their Wedding Reception will turn into circus. I will also tell you that to pull this balloon thing off your DJ would have to be good with kids, skilled in balloon animal making, and able to keep things moving with music for the adults at the same time. It can be a major juggling act and should only be done by experienced DJ's.
My solution with the balloons is not the only answer. There are many other ways to keep the kids entertained so that you can get the full enjoyment as a Bride or Groom.
The following is a list of ideas that I have picked up on throughout the years. These are great things you can do to show the kids and their parents that you have considered the wide age span you will have at your Wedding and that you have taken some extra steps to avoid leaving the kids out.
Candy Bouquet
Have two bouquet tosses. One for the kids, which is called a candy bouquet. This is a bouquet filled with candy of your choice.
Coloring Books and Crayons
Go out and buy 25 color books and crayon sets. This may run you fifty bucks but is great for the kids to stay entertained during dinner.
Hire a Kid Entertainer
Have someone there specifically to entertain the kids. Someone who can do balloons, magic, games and face painting.
Set Up a Separate Room
Some reception facilities have extra rooms you can use. Hire someone to come in and keep the kids busy in a separate room.
Music For The Kids
Have your DJ / Band to a couple of songs early in the evening for the kids. You could do a few songs like the Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, or a current song that the young kids love. This will give them a chance to blow off some energy on the dance floor and the adults will get a kick out of watching them.
There are other ideas but this is at least a start. If you have any questions about this article or just about kids and receptions in general feel free to call me. I have been a DJ and a Child entertainer since 1986 and I would love to discuss this topic with you personally. Call anytime? (402) 393-5414. Steve Bergeron, Bandstand Music Inc.
Omaha Brides and Grooms often face the dilemma of whether or not to invite children to their Wedding and Reception. I have worked with a lot of brides who have ordered their Wedding invitations through me that ask if they should mention on the invitation anything about kids (whether to invite or not invite).
Of all the Brides and Grooms I have worked with there was only one couple that actually put on their response card "Please No Children".
The point is that most Brides and Grooms are not going to be that blunt and would not want to leave anyone out anyway. After all, a Reception is supposed to include family and friends with no age requirements. The bottom line is that 99% of the Wedding Receptions I have DJed in Omaha have had children in attendance.
To the Omaha Bride or Groom I am asking you if you have given any thought to what the kids will do at your Wedding Reception.
Imagine that your 6 years old sitting at someone's Wedding Reception with your parents. Chances are that you are going to be completely bored and restless. Yes, it is an important day for the Bride and Groom but children do not always understand the importance of a Wedding Day.
Often during the dinner you will see kids running around the dance floor trying to entertain themselves. In fact, you could say that an empty dance floor is the closest thing these kids have to a playground at the reception and that is why they are attracted to it.
I was Djing a reception a few years back that had about 25 small children in attendance. Once I started the dance music the dance floor was packed! with small kids. I was playing songs like "In the Mood", "Rock around the clock" etc and no one was dancing. It was just a huge dance floor with a bunch of kids running around on it playing tag. No adults were going to try to attempt dancing on a floor full of kids. Needless to say I was frustrated and I felt useless. This got me thinking about this dilemma with kids and Wedding Receptions. You really cannot blame the kids. After all there is nothing for them to do. I almost feel worse for the parents who have to try to keep there kids entertained and still have time to enjoy the Wedding Day themselves.
So back in 1994 I had a brainstorm and came up with a perfect solution to helping to keep the kids entertained while at the same time letting the adults dance and enjoy themselves. I went out and bought a book and a bag of balloons and learned how to make balloon animals. Sounds cheesy but it worked beyond my expectations. During the dinner at the receptions I would walk around and make small balloon animals for the kids. I told them that I would make one animal for them now and that once we started the dance music I would make them more.
Let me tell you that this opened the dance floor up for the adults to take over. I simply played some great tunes and kept the kids busy at the DJ table by making them balloons. It was perfect in that it kept the kids busy and plenty entertained. In addition is freed up the adults to bust some moves on the dance floor. To this day I still do this at every gig because it has never failed to work.
Now with all this being said I do understand that there are some Omaha Brides and Grooms that would be reluctant to have me do this in fear that their Wedding Reception will turn into circus. I will also tell you that to pull this balloon thing off your DJ would have to be good with kids, skilled in balloon animal making, and able to keep things moving with music for the adults at the same time. It can be a major juggling act and should only be done by experienced DJ's.
My solution with the balloons is not the only answer. There are many other ways to keep the kids entertained so that you can get the full enjoyment as a Bride or Groom.
The following is a list of ideas that I have picked up on throughout the years. These are great things you can do to show the kids and their parents that you have considered the wide age span you will have at your Wedding and that you have taken some extra steps to avoid leaving the kids out.
Candy Bouquet
Have two bouquet tosses. One for the kids, which is called a candy bouquet. This is a bouquet filled with candy of your choice.
Coloring Books and Crayons
Go out and buy 25 color books and crayon sets. This may run you fifty bucks but is great for the kids to stay entertained during dinner.
Hire a Kid Entertainer
Have someone there specifically to entertain the kids. Someone who can do balloons, magic, games and face painting.
Set Up a Separate Room
Some reception facilities have extra rooms you can use. Hire someone to come in and keep the kids busy in a separate room.
Music For The Kids
Have your DJ / Band to a couple of songs early in the evening for the kids. You could do a few songs like the Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, or a current song that the young kids love. This will give them a chance to blow off some energy on the dance floor and the adults will get a kick out of watching them.
There are other ideas but this is at least a start. If you have any questions about this article or just about kids and receptions in general feel free to call me. I have been a DJ and a Child entertainer since 1986 and I would love to discuss this topic with you personally. Call anytime? (402) 393-5414. Steve Bergeron, Bandstand Music Inc.
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