Kids in the wedding: Should i hire a magician? a face painter? or both?

Honest advice is what WW does best.

If you have a kid's area, you should also provide some sort of child care. But it's really not necessary to even have a kid's area. Parents can take care of their own kids. But it wouldn't be fair to have something enticing like that for the kids and then their parents get pulled away from the reception to have to watch them in that area. If I were a parent at that wedding, I would not feel comfortable with having my kid in a separate room with no supervision.

Thanks Rebecca! That area is really an area for parents to go in there with their kids..not for the kids to go in there by themselves. It's so when the kids get fidgety and need to calm down then the parents can go in there and calm them down then go back out again and join the festivities. I have it half way open for the older kids who can be in there by themselves. But I am thinking about having someone in there just for safety reasons but I don't want that caregiver to have full responsibility for the kids...but I already have someone in mind. I guess I'll think about it a little more too, now that you mention it. Thanks Lauren!!! That's why I turned to this group

Wow. That is really nice of you to set all that up for them. I don't think anyone needs to be hired for them that day (well maybe a babysitter; since they are in a separate room). The teens may actually enjoy more dancing and being a part of the wedding instead of being stuck in a room full of 10 year olds.

I bet you the kids will be busy dancing...my 5 yo niece was getting down and it was the best thing ever. For our photos, I didn't even want her formal one in the album- we have her with her eyes closed and hands in the air

Not necessary. We had about 15-16 kids of all ages and they danced up a storm and/or played on the electronics they're glued to.

Btw, all were well behaved and had a blast.

You are already providing wayyyyy more entertainment than most people do! Parents should not even expect childcare to be provided, so I think what you're doing is plenty. I think the addition of a face painter or magician just makes it cheesy. It's your wedding, spend your time and money on things that involve you and your FH.

Hire this guy

ETA: For the young-ins out there, this is the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Wow, you've already gone above and beyond for the kids.

Kids are not your problem, it's their parents. Chances are they will be glue to their smart phone or ipad or something anyway.

I am providing zero entertainment for kids. It's a wedding. Parents know what happens at weddings. There is cake, dancing, music, and MARRIAGE. No need for all that nonsense. Kids can either come and enjoy the cake and dancing or stay home with a babysitter so the parents can enjoy themselves. And NO, they cannot have chicken fingers. You eat what everyone else eats.

I think you're going above and beyond for the kids. Most [good] parents know to give their kids the "this is a special occasion" talk beforehand so they behave, but other than that, you really don't need anything more.

PS. Change your avatar! We want to see your lovely face!

I think you are providing more than enough. But if you want to hire some sort of entertainer for the kids, I would look for a balloon twister. A friend of mine does this and face painting, the kids love the balloons, especially watching her make them.

This is a wedding, not a kid's birthday party.

That's quite a few kids. I'm sure they will be dancing and having fun.