How to request an adults only wedding

It should be a word of mouth type situation, or you write exactly who's invited on the envelopes. For us, we put it on our wedding website and told our very close family. If anyone asks, they're telling them it's no kids. So far we've been mostly okay. Good luck!

Yes, address your invitations only to those invited. We used inner envelopes for this reason. We did have one friend write in his daughter’s name on the response card, but we are making the exception because she is only 4 or 5 and they live out of state.

RSVP Cards

I didn't want kids at my wedding either so I put on the RSVP the following:

Address the invitation to only those invited. You can also have a line on your RSVP card specifying the number of seats reserved for your guests. A note on your website is also a good way.

I would refrain from mentioning that kids aren't invited on the invitation.

Any way you can pull the 'environment isn't safe' or 'we are at capacity'. Either way, address the invites very carefully and make sure its a known thing. "We had to draw the line somewhere" and "we want everyone to have a good time" . The invite example above is great!
Just politely stick to your guns. You can do it!

Address it to only those invited. Don't mention who is not invited. If people try to bring their kids, or extra adults (and they will) you need to call.

I am a parent and for the life of me I don't get wanting to bring your kids everywhere!!! 1-800-Gramma!!! Night out!!!

You don't "request" anything. You address the invites to the adults only and on the RSVP card say "We have reserved (2) seats in your honor." Or whatever the number is, that lets people know they can only bring however many people total.

I've seen "so the adults can enjoy themselves, we request our day be an adults only event".

View Quoted Comment I wouldn't say that. It implies people need to be away from their kids to enjoy themselves and is offensive.

View Quoted Comment

I think it's hard to word anything without someone being offended, I was just letting her know what it said when I got an adults only wedding invitation. And 150 came without kids, so no one seemed offended. They knew the couple well enough to know what they meant.

Just don’t invite the kids. If their names aren’t on the invite they’re not invited. Some people may still try to write them in on the RSVP, in that case you’ll have to contact them and let them know.

Invite your guests by name.

Include the number of seats you have allotted them on the rsvp card.

Do not make excuses or give reasons of any sort. It just opens the door for arguments or problem solving. Not enough room? He'll sit on my lap" Not enough money? I'll pay. etc etc etc

If someone changes the number on the rsvp card "I'm sorry, there must have been a misunderstanding. We are unable to accommodate the children. If that means you will be unable to attend, we will miss you at the wedding."

If someone calls and says they want to attend but have to bring their child, you can offer to help them find a sitter. Parents always have options: they can bring their own sitter, hire a licensed bonded sitter at their hotel, or decline.