Allow Newborn at Wedding???

I think if its a new born there should be an exception made.

We're not having young children, either but we are allowing newborns/infants.

I dont think it would be fair to your other guests

I am having the same problem...FH's sister just announced her engagement to the family and that she is pregnant due in September and our wedding is October 9. Also, one of FH's groomsmen's wife is pregnant and due around the same time as my future sister in law..so what originally started as no children..may result in 2 newborns attending. Not so worried about the reception...more or less the ceremony.

Depends is anyone else that have newborns/infant and not bringing them, that may not have asked because you stated no children......who are closer to you ie family, because they may be pissed

My main concern with small children is i'm so afraid i'll have a screaming baby in the audience during my wedding! I've been to way too many weddings where a baby will start crying and the parents arent respectful enough to leave the ceremony!

I think it would be ok, but I would kindly state to please be respectful during the ceremony and if the baby gets fussy someone needs to take the baby outside of the church or to a cry room. Kudos to him though for asking you instead of just bringing the baby.

Something to keep in mind is that most newborns spend 90% of their time sleeping when they are not eating. I'm letting two of my friends bring their's mainly b/c I want to see the baby. lol. I would rather have them there with the baby than not have them at all.

It's a bit different when the infant is, well, an infant. They spend most of their time sleeping and don't put up a fight when you remove them from the situation so they stop crying. I would allow it, personally.

My opinion is no. Newborns are unpredictable. A newborn, no offense to those who love babies, could ruin the ceremony, crying/fussing at the wrong moment.

The new Mom can't leave her child for an hour or so...at least long enough to be at the ceremony? Perhaps she could bring a trusted person with her to keep the baby outside of the ceremony room????

I agree that newborns are unpredictable, however, usually a bottle will keep them quiet (unlike a 2 year old). They do sleep most of the time. I would explain to your friends in a tactful way that you were concerned about children during the ceremony, however, you are sure that the baby will be fine and that your friends are smart enough to leave the ceremony if the baby is being fussy.

I wouldn't worry about the other guests, they will understand it's hard for a mom to leave a 1 month old.

I don't understand why this is even an issue. If they are considerate enough to ask for permission, I am sure they are considerate and responsible enough to remove the child during the ceremony if he/she began to cry. "Allow" it.

A newborn like that is going to sleep and if not the mother and father sound respectful enough to removed the child and also keep in mind that the mother may be breastfeeding the child and you can't ween them to a breastmilk bottle till they are three months or they might not take the breast again.

My now niece of 6 weeks slept during our entire ceremony last night. I think he/she would be fine. It's when they're more infants than newborns that they'll be fussy. And trust me, if that's all that goes wrong, you'll have a fantastic wedding!

I vote no. Make an exception then everyone else is going to get upset that you made an exception but not for them-something you don't want to deal with nor should. Instead, how about going out to lunch or dinner with your friends at a better time post wedding? That way you can see their baby and spend more one on one time with them? You guys can even share photos together of your big events.

I'm wording mine as "no small children" like 2-10 or something like that.

Because newborns are hard to leave with babysitters and they do sleep most of the time, or a bottle can keep them occupied for 15-30 minutes during the ceremony. That way, people can't get upset that their kids weren't invited. Like your friend said, the 2 yr old will not be attending. So they're being considerate, I think you should be too =]

They're leaving their 2year old at home so they are acknowledging your adult reception but IMO, newborns/infants are a definite exception. If the baby starts to become fussy than either your friend or his wife will leave out of respect.

Thats a toughie......I can def understand new mother not wanting to leave the newbies with someone BUT then I can see some guests getting upset b/c they weren't allowed to bring their children.

Newbies are the best!! They don't cry too loudly & sleep a lot, so you shouldn't worry about the noise factor. I am concerned however at what the temperature may be. July is typically a hot & humid month in DC, not safe for young kids...I don't know where you're located, or whether you're having an outdoor ceremony/reception but this may be something that the mother hasn't thought about.

I agree that since you said no kids that it wouldnt be fair to your other guest who couldnt bring there children. I brought my newborn to a wedding he was 3 weeks old. And he slept the entire time. But you can always predict a baby no matter how old.

Quite frankly, if I had a newborn, I wouldn't be leaving him/her with a sitter either. It would definitely be a decider in whether or not I attended something. Plus, if she's breastfeeding, she really CAN'T leave the baby. Sure, some women pump, but pumps are expensive, so not everyone buys one.