How to count children under 3 at the reception? Do they count as a full meal or full seat?

Our venue has a either a 3 or 5 and under policy they are free. They may offer kids menu like chicken strips or pizza for lower cost. The will need a seat though.

I wouldn't want to eat with my child in my lap. Ask if you can get booster seats.

For my wedding, the venue is providing child care in a separate room for children over 3. The ones under 3 have to sit on a parents lap and they are not included in the guest count.

A high chair or booster still needs space, so definitely a seat.

Hadn't thought about booster seats, Good idea! Thanks!

And the caterer doesn't do a kids menu.

This would be a question for your venue/caterer. Some of them don't count kids under 5 as needing a meal. Whoever you are getting chairs from would know what is usually done for seating kids.

Wow. We didn't have to pay per person, so this is interesting. Kristin, do the people with kids know that they'll be eating in the parents' laps? I ask because I'd want to know beforehand. I might consider getting a babysitter or bringing my own booster seat.

See that is why I asked. FH's family was in full attendance at the wedding I went to. And ALL of them had their kids on their laps for the majority of the evening. They also ate from the parent's plates since it was buffet style, which will be ours as well. But I didn't know if this was the norm, or just his family, but I also don't want to end up with several extra tables and wasted space (or venue isn't that big so any space is precious) if it wasn't necessary.

Our venue is a rustic style hall, without a separate room so I can't do the babysitting thing. Although knowing his family and the parents of the kids who are coming they would NEVER let anyone they didn't know or pick out watch their kids. So that wouldn't work even if I could.

ETA: @ Heidi- our venue already comes with the tables and chairs. I asked and they just said "it depends on what you think.."... Our venue is pretty laid bad and they just provide the space. They do not help with coordination at all.

Yes Erica. I definitely have been very open with my guests about the kid situation. Our family is laid back so everyone's good with it. And there's only a couple of really young children anyways.

Well, it might depend on what you think, but as an event venue, they can certainly give you some options to consider. This can't be the first time they've run into children at a wedding. For example, does the buffet offer anything kids like? Macaroni and cheese is always a hit with kids, as are mini pizzas, and chicken strips. Some venues have smaller tables and chairs, and they actually set up a kids' table. Is that an option? If you do need to sit them with their parents, does the venue have booster seats? Do they charge for using them? I do think you need separate chairs for children who are not infants. Nobody wants to hold a wiggly child in their lap when they're eating. Go back to your venue manager. Ask for some suggestions.

@Centerpiece: I have asked the venue manager. They said it is up to me, as they have said with all my questions. They literally rent the space with the tables out and that is it; they do not provide advice or suggestions. So the caterer is a completely separate thing.

The caterer does not offer a kids menu, and I honestly don't believe in them so I would never request that. I ate what my parents ate when I was little and that was that. Our menu consists of chicken, beef, mashed potatoes, green beens, salad, with some rolls and appetizers; it is all very normal southern food. If they can't find anything to eat out of that, then their kid is overly picky and they should plan accordingly. The menu is posted on my wedding website that you have to visit to RSVP so they will know ahead of time.

I did go back through the contract though and there are 5 booster seats, which should suffice. There are no kids tables- all of them are the normal 120" rounds.

I think I might just end up asking the parent's what they prefer for the seat situation and am not going to count anyone under 3 for food. I know caterers make extra so a couple of toddlers shouldn't make us run out of food by any means.