Sorry my husband can't make it, but.......

If they are in their mid teens, surely they know how to behave themselves. I don’t really see a problem here, but I don’t personally know them. If it is something that really bothers you, I would suggest telling your guest, “I’m sorry there was a misunderstanding but the invitation was for you and your husband, and I cannot make any exceptions.” 🤷🏻‍♀️

View Quoted Comment Yes I agree with you on them knowing better, but kids at the wedding is becoming a huge fiasco between FMIL and us. She is upset with us because we won't make exceptions to have FH childhood friend bring her 6 yr old triplets.

View Quoted Comment I can just here her now, those are kids. Why were those kids allowed?!?!

I see this alot so I have to put adult only reception so they get the point. In sorry ur going threw this. I dont know why ppl think they can do that

You need to say no. If they tell you this, say “I’m sorry for the confusion but the invite was only for you and your husband, not your children. I hope you can make it.”

If you are not saying this, then that is why people think it’s okay. You gotta set boundaries with your guests!

Agree with PPs that you need to say no. However, as long as the invitation was addressed to the husband and wife specifically, I wouldn’t apologize for any confusion since there was none. Your guest made an incorrect assumption. It’s not the easiest conversation to have but it must be done.

I had two people do this. The one whose kid was 10 I just had to tell her no. I simply said we couldn't accommodate kids. Even though he is well behaved it just wasn't fair to other guests who had to get sitters.

The other I let slide simply because he was 17 and looked like an adult. No other guest was going to look at him and think he was a "child". I figured he was his group DD for the night LOL.

I would absolutely tell her no and do not feel bad about it at all. This is not ok.

I'm sorry your invited guests are not so courteous to ask if a substitute guest would be welcome and permissible to accompany them. I encourage you to be polite, but firm and consistent in your responses. If you desire an adult reception, you are entitled to make a decision that will bring you the most joy and comfort. Best of luck!

Well you just have to call those people up and say I'm sorry, but the invitation was only meant for you and your husband.

I think very few people want to go to a wedding alone. So things like this happen. It doesn't make it right. For me, it just means I understand why they did it. But I still think you should call them and tell them they cannot bring their child in place of their husband. Be prepared for them to push back by wanting to bring an adult guest. If you think about your responses to any and all push back, they can't catch you unawares!

Eh. I never had a problem with this. It's probably going to boil down to are you okay with this person potentially skipping the wedding if you say no. I know that technically wedding invites are not transferable but considering the fact that I had already planned on paying for two seats, I didn't mind when two of my guests asked me ahead of time if this was okay. One was a cousin who was going through a divorce (privately) when invites went out. He asked if he could bring his 15 year old daughter instead. I knew her sort of growing up so it was fine. We had an out of towner who didn't know anyone ask if she could bring her sister instead of boyfriend. Never thought it was a big deal since we assumed we'd be paying for that seat anyways.

Well you do have control over this situation. It isn't always easy but you can contact the guest and discuss your desire to keep your reception as adults only. I guess it depends on how strongly you feel about it.

I have had invitations addressed to Mr and Mrs and get back that they are bring there Grandkids as well cause they have custody of them and no one to watch (they are 13 and 16). Then I have my uncle who is letting my cousin "bring a friend"! Like WTF!

View Quoted Comment Does someone really need to watch a 13 and 16 yr old? I mean at 16 they can drive by themselves...

Even if out of town let them hang out in the hotel room by themselves with pizza and a movie. How strange.

Then tell them no. If they are a pre-teen or even teenager you can say "sorry, we are unable to accommodate children at the wedding. I understand if this means you will be unable to make the wedding."

Ok it's done!! I simply told her that I couldnt accommodate kids and the only kids in attendance will be my nieces & nephews that are in the wedding party. She totally understood but then asked of her dad could come in her husband's place lol!!! Luckily I already included her dad on her sisters invite.

I have done this, not with a kid though. I was traveling to the wedding ( a flight, a hotel, gift, rental car) and I was invited without a plus one, my sister who was also invited could not make it, and rather then go by myself I asked if my mom could come with me in my sister's place, (who I've known since I was 3) . My FH also couldn't get off of work at the time anyway, but I still wanted to go, but I didn't want to go by myself either.

Call them asap! It will definitely look like you invited some kids and not others and you don't want to deal with the annoyed parents who had to get a sitter giving you a hard time because they see other kids there.

It might genuinely be a mis-understanding. To me kids is anyone under the age of 13 maybe 14, a teenager some people wouldn't classify the same as a kid. Maybe she was more of that mindset?