Should You Invite Children to Your Wedding?
Deciding whom to invite to your wedding is already a tough decision – you don’t want to hurt any feelings, but you also don’t want to end up with a guest list of over 200 people. Making those cuts becomes even harder when you have to make the ultimate guest list decision: family-friendly or adults only. Inevitably, someone in your family, your partner’s family, or even people in your wedding party have children. With the flower girl and ring bearer positions typically being filled by little ones that also makes it hard to put a full stop to all children at your wedding festivities. Whatever your decision is you have to make it pretty early on in your planning process, giving families the time to make accommodations. If you don’t know your options, we’ve listed below a few ways you can manage your guest list!
Adults-Only Wedding
If you’re planning on having an evening or very formal wedding you may want to restrict children from attending altogether. Parents should have an easier time finding a babysitter in the evening versus a daytime or destination wedding. It’s normal to feel guilty about not allowing children at your wedding, but if you know your wedding vision or venue is more adults-only, then don’t feel pressured to compromise. If you’re giving a heads up to any family or friends with kids they will hopefully be understanding.
Restrict the Reception
Maybe you want to include children in your ceremony, but feel the reception is for letting loose. You can allow children to attend the ceremony but have an adults-only reception. This still allows you to include any nieces or nephews in your big day, but have the party you desire in the evening.
Photography by Emma King Photography
Photography by Jessie Wyman & Christina Anne
Limit Who’s Allowed to Bring Children
It might be hard to get around restricting all children from your wedding, especially if you have a sibling or best friend who has a child. You can keep the list of who can bring children to the wedding to immediate family and close friends only. You could also specify an age range on the invitation for what you view as acceptable for the environment.
Embrace the Littles
If you have room on your guest list you can choose to embrace all the little ones. Maybe include a kids’ table at your reception or have a separate room at your venue set up with toys and other forms of entertainment that will keep the children occupied. If you’re worried about them running rampant around the venue, providing activities is a great way to keep them busy, even if it costs a little extra money.
Make Your Decision Clear
Likely, you’re not going to make everyone happy with your decision, no matter what you choose to do, but to avoid any major upsets make your decision very clear to your guests. If no children are allowed, include a line about that in your wedding invitations and possibly even give invitees with families a call as a heads up.
Photography by Allie Miller Photography
Share this with a bride who is trying to decide between a child-friendly or adults-only wedding. Barely starting your journey to find a wedding dress? Browse our collection of made-to-measure wedding gowns that are priced at $1,200 or less!
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