An Experienced Parent's Tricks and Tips for Bringing a Baby to a Wedding

First and foremost, remember that a baby has recently spent nine months snuggled up in a warm, dark, quiet spot before entering our wild and wonderful world. Because of the new people, loud music and variety of sights and sounds at a wedding, the event has the potential to overstimulate them. But, as a mom of three who has brought more than one infant to a wedding, I can assure you that with a few tips for bringing a baby to a wedding, parents, caregivers and to-be-weds can have confidence that even the smallest guests will enjoy the special day.

In this article:

• Tips for Bringing a Baby to a Wedding
• How to Accommodate Babies at Weddings
• Babies at Weddings Etiquette Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for Bringing a Baby to a Wedding

When preparing to bring or host babies at a wedding reception, there are a few things to keep in mind. While the caregivers can certainly bring a babysitter, extra toys and baby food along, there are a few things hosts can do as well to make babies and their parents more comfortable during the wedding weekend.

Bring All the Essentials and Then Some

It shouldn't surprise you, but the first step to bringing a baby to a wedding is to ensure your diaper bag is packed to the brim. You'll want the usual diapers and wipes but you should also add an extra outfit for you and the baby for the almost inevitable spit up or blow out. Ensure you have formula or breastmilk, bottles and a pump if using. Lastly, you'll want to bring extra hand sanitizer for anyone coming near you and the baby to keep sickness at bay as well as ear protection if your little one will be nearby when the tunes start bumping.

Find a Quiet, Private Place Upon Arrival

Head to the wedding a few minutes early to make sure you get a lay of the land in case you need to step out and find a quiet spot. Oftentimes, wedding venues have small lounges near the restrooms. You can ask the day-of coordinator or a venue employee about a good space to tuck away to soothe the baby if needed. At the reception, try to have families sit away from the speakers if there is amplification to keep the noise a bit lower.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Bring a Baby Carrier

The first nine months of a baby's life are often called the fourth trimester. This is because a baby just spent nine months inside a womb, snuggled up and cozy, and now usually wants to spend the next nine months very close to, if not on, their caregiver. So, for many, the easiest way to have babies at a wedding ceremony or reception is to wear them. There are many options these days for classy carriers that won't ruin your wedding fit, from a silk ring sling to a more structured, leather carrier. Either way, this ensures the baby is close by at all times and feels safe and snuggled up with you.

Hire a Wedding Babysitter

If you have any desire to have a few minutes apart from your baby at the festivities, whether you're attending the wedding or the one tying the knot, we highly recommend hiring a wedding babysitter to tag along. Having an extra set of hands can ensure you don't miss the ceremony if the little one gets fussy and that you actually get to bust a move on the dance floor. Don't count on grandma or an uncle stepping in to help with childcare if it means they would miss a highlight of the wedding day.

Prepare Your Script Ahead of Time

Perhaps the most difficult part of parenthood or attending an event like a wedding is all the comments, questions and unsolicited touching you and your little may get. While it certainly takes a village to raise a child and helping hands are truly needed in parenthood, rehearse exactly what you want to say when you do not want someone touching or holding your child. Remember, the best person to set healthy boundaries for a child is their parent or caregiver. Be confident in the decisions you make regarding your and your child's health and safety.

How to Accommodate Babies at Weddings

Whether you're bringing a six-month-old baby to a wedding or wondering, "Do babies need their own seat at a wedding," there's a lot to consider when allowing the tiniest of humans to attend a wedding.

Set Expectations Ahead of Time

First and foremost, set clear expectations with parents or caregivers about what is expected if a baby attends the wedding ceremony and reception. For example, the to-be-weds can call their friends who are bringing their infant and politely ask them to step out if their child cries during the wedding ceremony or during certain parts of the reception, like a first dance. In addition, this is a time to tell them if there are high chairs at the wedding reception, wedding activities for kids and if the infant or young toddler is included in the meal count.

Prepare a Quiet Space

To help any parent bringing a child to a wedding, ensure there is a quiet space for feeding, soothing and napping. This could be as simple as a comfy chair in a back corner or access to the getting-ready room once the wedding party is done with it.

Include the Baby in Some Activities and Photos

If the baby is at its parents' wedding, make sure to include the baby in some parts and pictures, but make sure there is still plenty of time for just the two of you to celebrate together. Striking this balance will look different for every couple, but again, the key here is to communicate with parents the expectations for the day and what childcare looks like ahead of time.

Babies at Weddings Etiquette Frequently Asked Questions

From picking the cutest baby wedding attire to figuring out they need ear protection, wedding etiquette with the little ones can get a bit tricky.

Are Babies Considered Plus-Ones at Weddings?

Plus-one wedding etiquette assumes a plus-one to be another adult of the invitee's choosing, often a significant other. The plus-one is given a seat and meal at the reception that the couple has budgeted for, something babies do not need. These two points mean that babies are not plus-ones at weddings.

Additionally, many couples have an adult-only wedding, so an invitee should not bring their baby along without consulting the couple first unless it was clearly laid out on the wedding invitation.

How Much Do Babies Cost at a Wedding?

Allowing couples to bring their baby to a wedding or reception adds very little to an overall wedding cost. This is because the little ones do not eat a meal at the reception and typically sit with their caregiver, meaning they are not included in the chair rental or caterer's head count numbers. However, if you hire babysitters for the wedding guests or need to rent an additional room as a quiet space for your smallest guests and their caregivers, the wedding cost could increase by a few hundred dollars.

If you are the invitee or to-be-weds bringing your baby to the wedding, you need to consider costs such as infant wedding attire, noise-canceling headphones for the reception and a more formal baby carrier. Every couple will prioritize different items when figuring out their wedding budget breakdown, and allowing children and babies will certainly influence those final numbers. Learn about local wedding costs near you by using The Knot Budget Advisor.

Do Babies Need Their Own Seat at a Wedding?

Babies don't typically need their own seat at a wedding as they are usually in the arms of their caregiver or sleeping in a car seat. This rule of thumb typically applies to babies six months old and younger at weddings. However, if your child is sitting up, eating food and you would like them to be able to try some of the reception food, they may need their own seat. This should be discussed with the to-be-weds ahead of time, as a child with their own seat will need a chair and to be included in the caterer's head count, hopefully at a discounted rate.

In the end, how old a baby needs to be for their own seat at a wedding all comes down to seating chart etiquette, setting expectations with invitees and to-be-weds before the wedding weekend and figuring out if you're willing to share your lap with your little one for the night.

Do Babies Need Ear Protection at a Wedding?

If a baby is exposed to loud music at a wedding, they should be wearing ear protection. This is because children and babies are more sensitive to loud noises than adults as their ear structure is still developing. As hearing loss from loud or prolonged noise can be permanent, it is crucial to protect their ears. Typically, a child should have hearing protection if they are exposed to anything louder than a household vacuum, which is around 70 decibels, especially if it's for a prolonged amount of time.