How We Made Parents Happy… by Taking Care of the Kids at Our Destination Wedding

Weddings and kids can be a tricky combination. We were getting married 9 years into our relationship. With our friends having already expanded their families, we quickly decided that we are going to have a kid-friendly wedding.

We love our little guests. But, we knew that if the kids weren’t entertained, their parents wouldn’t manage to relax. They couldn’t enjoy themselves. And honestly, we wanted everyone – parents included – to have the BEST time at our wedding!

That’s why we made sure to plan ahead and create a kid-friendly wedding experience. The little ones would have fun. Meanwhile, their parents kick back, enjoy the party, and maybe even let loose on the dance floor. And our plan worked like a charm!

Here’s exactly what we did to keep kids happy, parents stress-free, and our wedding celebration fun for everyone!

1. We Hired Childcare & Fun Entertainers

That was THE best decision we made. We knew that the key to keeping parents happy was making sure their kids were super entertained. It was important to keep them busy at all times. So, we brought in the professionals!

We opted in for childcare professionals. They are people that actually take care of kids for a living. They can push all those magic buttons which will keep kids happy, entertained, and…busy!

What we did

• Hired childcare professionals who spoke both Greek and English.
• Set up a kids’ corner with interactive activities, organized by the professionals. That kept them going for long!
• Organized fun activities like face painting, balloon animals, and even a mini treasure hunt.

If your budget allows, get professional entertainers – the kids will LOVE it, and parents will too. It might cost slightly more than just baby/child-sitters, but the result will make both kids and parents very happy!

2. We Arranged Regular Transportation for All Guests

Parents with young kids don’t want to stay out until 2 AM. We didn’t want any of our guests to feel stuck or awkward leaving early. We also didn’t want our guests to bring their own car, as that would prevent them from drinking. So we planned ahead!

What we did

• Arranged shuttles every 30-45 minutes so families and all guests could leave whenever they needed.
• The transportation schedule was clearly communicated. This allowed guests to plan ahead. They did not have to worry about returning to their accommodation. No stress, no hassle.
• We had standby taxi options, in case our guests had to leave the celebrations unexpectedly.

Have a list of reliable taxis or ride services at the venue. This allows parents to leave when they need to. If your budget allows, try to cover those expenses to offer a better guest experience. This is especially important if your guests are paying for their own travel and accommodation expenses!

For more on accurately predicting how many guests will show up, check out my researched Greek Wedding Guest Attendance Calculator.

3. We Had a Kids-Only Buffet

We all know that kids and fancy wedding food don’t always mix. We avoided forcing little ones to eat unfamiliar flavors. Instead, we set up a kid-friendly buffet. It has all the foods they actually love!

Both kids and parents appreciated the thoughtfulness of a kid-friendly buffet. A few parents couldn’t even resist the selection!

What we did

• Created a special kids’ menu – think pasta, mini burgers, chicken fingers, fresh fruit, ice cream. The list was extensive!
• Made sure it was quick and easy – because no one wants a hangry child at a wedding.
• Set up a fun “mocktail bar” with juices and colorful drinks, so kids felt included in the celebration.

Ask your caterer if they offer a kids’ meal package. It’s usually more affordable than adding extra full-priced adult meals!

4. We Set Up a Kids-Only Table

We put ourselves in the kid’s shoes. We remembered that as kids, we would get bored quickly. This often happened when sitting at the table with our parents and other adults. And, we all know what this means: bored kids equals restless parents. So, we gave them their own space!

What we did

• Set up a kids-only table close enough for parents to check in. Keep it far enough so that they can enjoy their meal.
• Had a childcare supervisor nearby just in case any little ones needed help.
• They can easily access and view what was going on at the dance floor.

If you have a mix of older and younger kids, pair them up. Big kids love feeling responsible. Younger kids get a buddy to look up to!

5. We Made It Easy for Parents to Leave Without the Stress

We wanted to avoid parents feeling awkward. We also wanted to prevent any disruption to the party if their little one needed to leave early. We also made sure to let the parents know what they don’t need to say goodbye. After all, we had scheduled a post-wedding celebratory brunch to say our proper and lengthy goodbyes at ease.

What we did

• The children’s area had an easy exit route that didn’t require walking across the dance floor, or through guests’ tables.
• Set up a quiet corner with comfy seats where parents could take a break if needed.
• Ensured that the hotel accommodations were relatively close for easy transitions (approximately 15 mins by car).

If your venue allows it, consider a designated “quiet room” for parents with babies or toddlers—it makes a HUGE difference!

And the Best Part? Parents Actually Got to Enjoy the Wedding!

Thanks to a little planning and a few smart decisions, parents were able to relax, eat, drink, and dance. They knew their kids were happy and taken care of. Many parents told us afterward. They said it was the first wedding they’d been to in years where they actually got to enjoy themselves. Needless to say, all parents thanked us for providing a children-only experience and for considering the kids as well. A few of the parents reached out after our wedding. They asked for the contact information of the childcare professionals. They wanted to pass it on to friends who were getting married in Crete.

And the kids? They had an absolute blast – some of them even said it was the best party ever!

Final Thoughts: Why Taking Care of Kids at Your Wedding is a Game-Changer

If you’re planning a destination wedding and inviting families, trust me. Taking care of the kids will make your wedding SO much more enjoyable for everyone. Happy kids = happy parents = an all-around better experience.

How to Keep Parents Happy at Your Wedding

• Hire childcare or entertainers to keep kids busy.
• Arrange regular transportation, so families can leave when needed.
• Offer a kid-friendly buffet with simple, familiar foods.
• Set up a kids-only table with fun activities.
• Provide quiet spaces & easy exits for parents who need them.