As you may have gotten wind, a certain celebrated couple will be tying the knot on the morrow. And while you may not have had a gold-embossed, swirly-scripted invite to this particular ceremony (unless, of course, you move in the right circles...), chances are the pleasure of your company will be requested at one or two special occasions in the coming months.
For it so happens that the royal shindig collides with the start of the wedding season. Your little darling may even have been asked to play a starring role as a bridesmaid or page boy in the ceremony of one of your nearest and dearest. As a parent, you’re pleased as punch, but naturally there are a few jitters too. Will your beautiful bridesmaid dissolve into a torrent of tears to rival those of the bride’s mother? Or will your roguish page boy disgrace himself by taking a cheeky peek up the bride’s dress?
According to wedding planner Mark Niemierko, the secret to success lies in the preparation. "It’s important to the run through the ceremony so children will know exactly what they’re supposed to do and where to sit,” he says. "Even if you can’t go to the actual wedding venue, have a little practice at home to prepare them for the big day."
And how to survive a long afternoon of photographs and feasting? "One strategy is to give your child a disposable camera and get her to be photographer’s assistant, capturing shots of guests," says Mark. For the meal, Mark recommends children sit together, ideally with a nanny to chaperone. And after a few whirls on the dance floor, he suggests a not-too-tardy bedtime. "It’s wise to leave before anyone becomes tired and emotional."
Afterwards, your child can compile a scrapbook of mementoes. When I Was A Bridesmaid by Antonia Swinson (Ryland Peters & Small, £9.99) has pages to fill in and makes a lovely keepsake.
And in honour of the Royal Wedding, we've put together a compendium of treats to peruse.
