Having Kids At Your Wedding Reception
April 8, 2006 by Lesley-Ann Graham
Filed under Wedding Reception
In most cultures there is usually at least one child in the entourage - the flower girl. Mainly though, weddings are an adult affair. It can be quite boring for kids.
Imagine if you’re four, dressed in formal clothes then told to sit still for at least an hour while the ceremony goes on. Then when you get to the reception you still can’t play and aren’t allowed to touch the beautiful cake. What a bummer!
As the hosts, it is up to the bride and groom to decide whether or not the kids are allowed to be present. Keep in mind that when bored, it is perfectly normal for kids to run around, screaming at the top of their lungs. Their parents may or may not even be able to keep them in line.
You can actually specify it in the invitation. Most parents will quite understand of the fact that the event is not very comfortable for children; in fact they will usually think of it themselves. It will still be better if you explain it to them in person rather than as a note on the invitation.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind their presence, it would be greatly appreciated by the parents of the kids if you would include them in your guest list. If there are a sufficient number of young guests, you could put them together at one table so that they can interact with each other and keep each other amused. Who knows, you may actually be introducing future mates.
Hello!
I enjoy reading your tips for brides. I found your blog shortly after I, started a similar blog, but I’m taking a little different slant so we both should be just fine.
I wanted to just note that for those of your readers who aren’t aware of formal etiquette, but wish to follow it, that it is, by formal standards, inappropriate to mention on the invitation that children are not invited. Rather, the appropriate way of handling this is to address the invitation without the childrens’ names. Thus, the outer envelope would be addressed as follows:
Mr. and Mrs. Love Children
123 We Love Kids Lane
Kidstown, HI 99999
On the inner envelope, the following should be written:
Mr. and Mrs. Love Children
No mention of the children should provide an indication that the affair is for adults only. However, in today’s world, most parents are not aware of this aspect of etiquette and so, as you mentioned, a follow-up conversation is an excellent plan.
For those who wish to take a little more liberty with etiquette, printing “Adult Only Occasion” on the invitation is probably fine…after all, for your wedding, you ultimately make the rules!
Best Regards,
MeLissa Rocco, Certified Wedding and Event Planner
Owner, Winsome Events
http://www.winsomeevents.blogspot.com
Hi MeLissa,
Thanks for your input - much appreciated. I agree with what you say entirely!
Best wishes,
Lesley-Ann