Adults Only Reception Conflict

It’s up to the B&G to decide what they want (although a few guests with kids may not come if kids are not invited). Keep in mind infants are usually the exception to the rule because they may be breastfeeding.

The first thing to do is figure it out between the bride & groom (excluding family's opinions). Y'all will have to come to a compromise / agreement. One compromise can be to only include bridal party & immediate family's children. Then take into consideration who is paying for he wedding, because they get a big say in how it is.

What is the reasoning for not wanting children? Cost, vibe, etc?

What is the reason for wanting children? Do they have a strong family dynamic, they realize VIPs won't come if they can't bring their kids, etc?

The bride and groom should take this as the first opportunity in their upcoming marriage to learn to compromise.

As others have said, this is entirely a bride & groom decision. Take away anything that your parents say (unless they're paying for the wedding!). Definitely sit down and discuss the pro/con such as extra budget, child care, distraction/attention concerns, possible interruptions, parent logistical issues, people feeling put out, etc...

Decide what matters most to both of you and make compromises from there.

Unless the families are paying they really don't get a say. The bride and groom should make their own pros vs cons list about this, then combine them to see if there's more pros or cons. Then talk it through to a compromise.
Overall keep in mind this will result in more No RSVP and infants are generally the exception.
If the grooms family is footing the bill then they can invite the kids, but otherwise I can't see why they'd get to invite additional people.

Definitely talk with it out with your fiance first and come up with a compromise. Maybe only children over a certain age or whatnot, pros and cons to having kids at the wedding. Also, who's paying for it - that's a big factor because whoever is paying for it has more weight than those who are not.

Who is paying for the wedding? I would think the ones hosting and the bride/groom would decide this.

I think this is definitely a "who's paying" situation and whoever that is should get the final say. You dont' have to go all or nothing on kids either, btw. We invited kids of our siblings and cousins, but not anyone else. It was not a big deal at all.

Thank-you for the input. Bride’s parents are paying for the wedding and reception. Groom’s parents have offered to pay for the children. The point is not the cost, but a strong preference for the simplicity of an Adults Only affair (18+), except for the nieces and nephews of the groom (some of which are in the wedding party).

I think the bride and groom should make the final decision through compromise. It doesn't matter who pays or who wants to pay. As an example, why not allow children for the ceremony and make the reception adults only?

What do the bride and groom want? It seems the most important part of this has been left out

View Quoted Comment Bride does not want children and groom does. That was in the post.

View Quoted Comment The ceremony & reception are at the same location and immediately follow each other plus it is an hour, give or take, from the directions guests will be coming from.

View Quoted Comment Same boat here! Except the bride and groom are on the same page as kids, otherwise guest list would have to be altered. (Already pushing the number on venue size and our budget!) (and already have left people off the list). His mother hit the roof. Mind you we are not talking grandchildren, but great nieces/nephews.