Kids at reception??

When you don’t invite the kids, especially when asking people to spend the night somewhere, you need to be prepared for some declines. If it’s a no kids event, just simply tell them that it’s a kid free event and while you love and adore their kids, you simply don’t have the venue space to accommodate them.

“I’m sorry, we cannot accommodate any extra guests.” This should be for the entire wedding, not just the reception.

If you never planned for this or intended to have kids then you say "sorry we are having an adult only affair due to the venue space". If you only invited the adults on the invite then they should know but you also never stated anywhere "adult only" from the sounds of it so that's probably why they are asking! We have some friends too with children and we only invited family children. Turns out FH's whole side isn't bringing their kids I was like wow we planned to include children because we didn't want to be rude to our families only to find out we basically could've done adult only. My family would've just dealt with it. We actually thought FH's side would be more uptight if we didn't include their children.

Yep - I think tactfully stating that it's not an adults-only venue and event, and that you're not prepared and able to accommodate any more guests (even children) is a good way to go about it

Did you include anything on your invitations about adult reception or no kids? If you don't want kids there, I would be consistent across the board. I think people would be upset if certain people are allowed to bring children and certain people are not. We are only allowing children involved with the wedding party at our reception, but I included a note in our invitations.

"We are maxed out on space. We can't accommodate additional guests or children"
People are rude for asking you that. Does the invite not specify how many seats they get?

Just say no. As long as you didn’t inadvertently invite them (ie invited “the smith family” rather than “mr & Mrs Smith), there should be no expectation (or guilting) that kids can suddenly come. Say “no unfortunately we are unable to accommodate children, the invitation was intended only for you”

We are also having a child free reception (except my 14 yo niece) and simply told our friends that unfortunately we could not accommodate children. We are having an indoor/outdoor ceremony and reception on the beach and did not feel it would be a good venue for children, as well as the issue of a limit on the number of guests we can have. Most people understand that people often choose to have child-free weddings. While some may not come, we actually did not find an issue with this.

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Right, i made sure to specify when addressing, to JUST the couple, but I've had too many people ask to hope they'll all know that meant no kids :/

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No, and that's another downside to having online RSVP here on weddingwire because it didn't specify numbers, just names.

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We didn't, but addressed invitations directly to the couple, without saying 'and family.' We will have both our our nieces there though, but they're not involved in the wedding party so I'm worried about that. (we aren't including any children in the wedding ceremony) there's no one to watch them though because both of our families will be there aka all of their potential guardians.

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Oh wow!! well that works out then right, i was naive in thinking an overnight stay out of town would discourage people from asking, but now i'm getting so nervous i wonder if i need to reach out to those with kids who have already RSVPd, just in case!!

View Quoted Comment I would stick your guns and tell anyone that asks that unfortunately you can’t accommodate children. Just be consistent with everyone, and if someone asks the children you are allowing are immediate family only. You can’t make everyone happy, but they should remember that it is your big day!