Taking a baby to a wedding
Categories: Babies, Places to go, Kid decor & style, Mommy musts
I'm so very excited. Earlier this year I received an invitation to a friend's wedding, and now that day is upon us. A week from now me, my husband, and, yes, my son, will all be piling into a rental car and heading somewhere in upstate New York to watch her get hitched.
I'm thrilled with the idea of the opportunity to get dressed up in something fancy and celebrate. It's been such a long time since I've been able to do either. Of course, I'm still nervous about my post-baby body--what will I wear? Will anything I owned still fit?--but even more so about how my five and a half month old baby will react to this new situation--one in which, at times, complete silence is required.
My husband has already vowed to take the baby out of the chapel if he makes any noise during the ceremony. I think we'll all be fine, really, since the baby is used to being taken pretty much everywhere we go and likes being around other people. You never know when he might decide to have a meltdown though, like he did last week at the American Museum of Natural History.
That wasn't his fault, though, really--it was ours. We were at the special exhibit of interest when he was both hungry and tired. Being at a museum, we were able to satisfy some but not all of his needs, and hence the (mini) meltdown.
So I ask you, dear readers--any thoughts on how to make this go better? I'm planning on packing plenty of woobies (pacifiers), bottles of breastmilk, and that kind of thing. I'll make sure he gets in a few good naps before he's expected to look adorable and remain calm (and quiet) while my pal says I do.
By the way, I think she's a real sport for inviting him along. I actually asked her if babies were allowed--I didn't want to make any assumptions. She'd have had every right to say babies weren't really on the ticket, but happily replied that he was more than welcome.
And, while I muse on how to make all of this work, I'd better come up with something adorable and appropriate for him to wear!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kledwards2 9-15-2007 @ 10:41AM
I would bring as many quiet toys as you can and sit at the back of the church in case you need a quick get-away. If this is YOUR friend and you would like to actually enjoy the wedding, maybe your husband can plan on doing the lion's share of handling your son so you can watch the ceremony. At the reception where it is much nosier and active, you both can take care of him and hopefully have a great time too! Good luck!
Lisa
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Jill 9-15-2007 @ 5:29PM
I'm glad you asked her instead of assuming he was welcome. I hired two teens to babysit at my wedding and made sure all the children came, but it only takes one crying child to ruin the experience for many and many couples would be unhappy to have a tot in the audience. That said, she's happy to have him, so take some really quiet toys (I've sometimes forgotten that rattles, well, rattle!) and hope for the best!
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Judy 9-15-2007 @ 10:12PM
I guess the chapel doesn't have a crying room? What I did when I had to attend a funeral was trade off with one of us in the chapel and one of us with the baby in the lobby. Is there any chance of finding a sitter to watch the baby in the chapel if you both want to be there for the ceremony?
I agree that it will be alot easier at the reception than at the ceremony!
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mamaloo 9-16-2007 @ 8:02PM
I was at a wedding yesterday. We brought both the 4 yo and the 3 mo to the ceremony but left the 4 yo with friends for the reception.
My survival tactics for the baby:
-sit on the wall side of the pew so that you can stand and sway with the baby if needed
-wearing a formal nursing dress (or a suit with a nursing top) so that you can pop the baby on the breast whenever a cry begins
-bring a sling/ABC/baby carrier
-bring a couple bottles of EBM or formula (or powder and bottled water to make a bottle)
I nursed through virtually the entire ceremony, wearing my nursing dress so nothing at all was visible. At the reception, we put the baby in a Baby Bjorn and had dinner. He slept for over 2 hours.
When he finally awoke we let both aunts feed him a bottle and take over burping and cuddle duties so Daddy and I could have a slow dance. Then I held him in the football hold and me and my baby cut a rug to "Billy Jean".
Even though Spence wasn't totally silent during the day or evening, we got lots of remarks from various members of the wedding party that he'd been an angel and a welcome guest.
Good luck!
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Marylena 9-17-2007 @ 10:55AM
I don't know your friend, but I'm proud of her. I love to hear that some brides still have a open and welcoming attitude to children at their weddings. In my mind, a wedding is a public, family event. Yes, a sacred event, often a religious event, but still a family event. Many families are formed by a wedding.
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