Planning a Wedding with Children in Mind

Creating an Experience for Every Guest

When people think about planning a wedding, they usually think about the venue, the flowers, the food, and all the little details that make the day feel special. One thing that’s easy to overlook is what the day feels like for the children who are invited.

As someone who has spent most of my adult life working with children, I can tell you they experience weddings much differently than adults do.

Adults remember the ceremony, the speeches, and dancing the night away. Children remember whether they were hungry, tired, overwhelmed, bored, excited, or having the time of their lives. None of those things are bad. They’re just children being children.

I’ve spent nearly eight years working in early childhood education as a Lead Teacher and Team Lead, and today I work as a Behavioral Technician with children who have a wide variety of developmental and behavioral needs. Every child I’ve worked with has taught me something different. Some jump right into new experiences. Others need a little extra reassurance. Some thrive in busy environments, while others need a quiet place to reset. There isn’t one right way to care for children because there isn’t one kind of child.

That understanding started long before it became my career.

Growing up, my parents were foster parents. Our home was constantly welcoming children with different personalities, different stories, and different needs. Looking back, I don’t think I realized how much that shaped me. I just knew every child deserved to feel safe, accepted, and cared for, especially when they were in a place that wasn’t familiar.

I still carry that with me today.

Weddings are joyful celebrations, but they can also be long days for little ones. They’re surrounded by new people, loud music, unfamiliar routines, and a lot of excitement. It’s no surprise that a toddler might melt down halfway through dinner or an infant decides the middle of the ceremony is the perfect time to cry.

Parents know this. They often spend part of the day wondering if they’ll have to leave early, miss a special moment, or step out because their child simply needs a break.

The truth is, children don’t need less from a wedding. They need something different.

Sometimes that’s a quiet room for a nap. Sometimes it’s space to play with children their own age. Sometimes it’s someone who understands child development and knows when a child needs a little encouragement or when they simply need a moment to themselves.

When children are cared for in a way that meets their individual needs, everyone benefits. Parents get to be fully present. Couples can enjoy their celebration knowing every guest feels welcome. And children get to leave with happy memories of a day that included them instead of expecting them to fit into an adult event.

That’s the idea behind Knot Nannies.

I didn’t start this business because I wanted to offer babysitting at weddings. I started it because I saw an opportunity to make weddings more enjoyable for families. I wanted parents to know they don’t have to choose between celebrating with the people they love and making sure their children are cared for. They can have both.

At the end of the day, that’s really what hospitality is about. It’s making people feel seen. It’s anticipating their needs before they have to ask. It’s creating an experience where everyone feels like they belong.

And I believe that includes the youngest guests, too.

 

About the Author

Michelle Jackson is the founder of Knot Nannies and a mom of three whose children have been her greatest teachers. They continue to remind her that every child has a unique personality, different needs, and their own way of experiencing the world. Those lessons, combined with a career dedicated to working with children, have shaped her belief that every family deserves to feel welcomed and supported during life’s biggest celebrations. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with family, cheering on the Grand Rapids Griffins, discovering new restaurants, and finding opportunities to explore West Michigan.