Thoughts on having kids attend

Hi Shandel Congratulations to you both on your engagement and welcome to the Wedding Wire family and another Congratulations to you both on your new family arrival. We will not have small children at our wedding or our reception. We both agreed we wanted our guess to enjoy themselves and not to hear the lil ones interrupting during the vows. And both sides of our families have different ages of children for us that's our choices and we do have a few of teenagers that will be there but that's it. Everyone here has their own reasons for not having kids but if you both want to have children there I will say have a low number of children because receptions and end pretty late at times. But which ever you decide it's about you too joining together into marriage. Happy planning and that you have a healthy mommy and new baby

The only child invited to our wedding was my husband's nephew. If we allowed all children of invitees to attend, it would have increase our anticipated guest number from 65 to 85. We were trying to control costs, so we decided to exclude children.

Definitely your choice. Because we are getting married in December, its going to be somewhat Christmas themed. And we will have activities for kids It just works for us because we have so many children in both of our families. But having children attend your wedding is a completely personal choice.

Kids vs no kids is a personal decision. Some families see weddings as a social event for all family members regardless of age and others see them as adults only (18+).


On the same token, it seen by those people as impolite and playing favorites to say that one group of kids can attend and everyone else is not allowed to attend. You will have guests who see that as offensive but, contrary to popular belief, the couple will never know because it’s also impolite to say anything to the couple beyond declining the invitation. Possibly reevaluating the relationship as well. Some families will blacklist anyone from future family gatherings who doesn’t invite the children of adult guests. It will be very difficult to smooth over if you tell one group that they have a loophole that others don’t have to follow and those who are not included see kids in attendance when they were told to find childcare that may not be easy to locate. It’s easier to have the same rules for everyone.
Also there is a big misconception that all kids everywhere 1) do not know how to behave and 2) bored out of their minds at a wedding. Many kids do not fall into that stereotype and actually enjoy themselves at weddings and some are better behaved than adults.
Do what works for you and don’t assume that every couple has the same priorities.

I highly suggest NO kids. I’ve been to weddings where even the tween aged ones where running around and loud. They are bored & it’s really not something for them to attend. Save the stress and just add “adults only celebration” on the save the date or your wedding website.