21 Over

You just address the invitation to the people you're inviting. Don't put anything like "The Smith Family" or "Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Family". Word of mouth also helps! We've been putting out the word that we are having an adult-only reception for some time now. No complaints yet

I would only apologize if someone actually comes to you with a concern. Otherwise, it's your prerogative to have an adult-only reception.

Thanks so much Lori!! Word of mouth will definitely work for our families!

Word of mouth will be easy too- explain how the venue is very strict on their liquor license and the wedding will be cut short if they have problems- what I would personally do but I don't mind a white lie here and there

I wouldn't apologize but maybe elaborate a little more elegantly. Our invitation has kind of a time line on it and it is marked as an 'Adult-only reception' so maybe when you say reception to follow or whatever line you will have about the reception, tack on the age restriction.

Where is your venue located at? Mine is a brewery, so I'm using that as my reasoning. We are allowed children, but I said that 'due to the location of the event, 21 and up only...something something...'

What Lori said.

Alexandra, we're doing email STDS and invitations too. You're the only other person I've heard of that's doing that. Are you using paperlesspost? They have some beautiful designs!

I'm having an Adult- Only wedding/reception myself. Word by mouth is so much better than just placing the information on the invitation.There will be a few family members who would purposely bring children with an excuse like, "Oh, I didn't read that part!" LOL Before I send my invitations, I have reminded all invited to not bring anyone under 21. No complaints so far. I like Lori's idea too!

Lori pretty much summed it up. Addressing it to only those invited is the obvious. If you are having a separate insert with your invitation for the reception, that's a good place to add to "please join us for an adults only reception." If you are having a website, under one of the tabs you can make a note that "While we'd love to celebrate with everyone in your family, due to size restraints we can only accommodate adults 21 and over."

We're having an adult only ceremony and reception as well. We made sure we let me know it was adult only (we received a lot of backlash but oh well) We are addressing the invitation as Mr. & Mrs John Smith. The response card will state:

2 seats have been reserved for you

accept_________ decline_________

Never seen JUST an E_MAIL invitation. How can you ADDRESS an E-MAIL invitation? Is it just me or are people NOT reading this correctly? Or do you mean put in the subject line, MRS and MR?

Just be prepared for lots of people inviting kids if your family is difficult. I didn't everything everyone suggested and even included a small business card with the age restriction and hotel info, but because the invite said adult reception to follow I had a handful think the ceremony was child friendly....like no, just no. I wouldn't even invite you if I wanted you to drive 4 hours for a 30 minute ceremony!

@futuremrsdean using greenvelope!

Thanks Jesse's Girl! Great wording. It's absolutely about size restraints. It has nothing to do with alcohol/bar reasons. And I Agree Megan, it's both the ceremony and reception not just one!