What do you say about children?

floss2

We only had my neices & nephews - DH's neices were both over 18. The main reason was again that anyone over 2 years old counted as a full person for catering, and we were on a limit for day guests.

My BF's wedding a few years ago was no children except the bride & groom's own kids & grandkids - again, because of the head count.

Hollie84

I think if someone said to me no kids then TBH i probably wouldnt go.we take our kids wherever we go,there never a problem and are always happy to run around and dance.
It's not that we cant get a sitter its just i dont see the problem with having kids at weddings.Maybe i will change my mind when our big day comes along lol
A few of my friends have said i will leave the kids with someone and ive said bring them,they can play with my 2 and there will be other children there.its upto the parents to bring something to entertain the children that will be at our wedding all day,the evening wont be so bad,we have a dj who said he also has some bits to entertain the kids at no extra cost,along with them dancing to the music there will be a sweet buffet.

PinkPrincess83

I would just explain to each parent when your giving out the invites. Some parents may be glad for an excuse to have a break, others may not be and will want to bring them.

I was very limited by numbers so have only invited 8 children and about 30 adults. I have just explained this to people and most people have been fine. Also, we want a nice relaxed atmosphere and the idea of my all my cousins running riot is not how I pictured our wedding. For the children I have invited I am doing a photo mission for them, each child gets a camera and list of pictures to take (older children can take pictures of what they want), and then in the evening there will be a dj so they can dance, there wont be lots of spare hanging around time anyway so Im sure they wont be bored.

cookiecrumbs

We have invited 80 or so people to our wedding - probably about 70% of them have kids. We specified no children on the invite and not one couple have declined because of it - in fact everyone we invited is coming and nobody even mentioned it!

I don't think you can be vague about it though, either invite kids or don't.

zcrat41

We didn't invite kids as I'd say about 20 of our friends have 2 kids each between 3 - 14 (we were the last to get married of our friends.)

We said no kids (well, we didn't name them on the invite) because that would have meant an extra 40 people at a catering price of nearly £30 a head for a child menu.

I have to say, not one of our guests minded and we had people come and stay from all over the country. One or two friends with babes in arms I did ring and say of course they could bring said baby. They actually chose to leave it at home.

katie1812

I personally think children should be part of a day like this, but each to their own. We have children on both sides of the family so I guess our decision is made for us, despite loving kids ourselves!

I do think though if you don't want them there, don't write them on the invite. I think quite often the parents will ask 'is it ok to bring the kids?' and then this will give you the opportunity to say well actually we have sort of decided we would prefer no children to allow all adults to have the best time but obviously if you have no childcare bring them along.

daisiegg

Well I had a conversation with a couple of my lovely workmates today, just asking the question in the abstract initially - and they all said they wouldn't bring their children to a wedding (unless it was close family) even if they were invited, as they preferred to be able to relax! So problem solved...

wanchai_2

Yay!

hp3

We have been in the same dilema. We too are having no children at our wedding during the day, all welcome at night. We also dont have many children in our families until recently when our two friends had children. Before they were born we had spoken to them about our wishes for the wedding and I explained that it is nothing against their children as I love them but I would like them to have a day off parenting (they are both bridesmaids) and they can relax. All of the couples with children we have spoken to about this have been more than happy to have the day off and organise childcare. Of course if they were unable we would look into something else. We are not putting anything on the invites as they already know but if we have any other family or friends we may have forgotton about just their names are goin on the invite and hopefully word of mouth will let them know. We are also strict on numbers for the day time and if we had all children it would cost us a fortune, their ages are so far appart that they would be bored stiff and unable to interact and play together.

mygirllollypop

We have got quite alot of young kids in the family, Plus I have my own, so will have to invite them althugh I am hoping that the parents themselves will decide to leave them at home!