"Are Babies Invited?"

No baby

Stick to your guns. If you don't want children there, than that means no children or babies. Just be prepared that you'll get some declines because of that.

Did you specify on your invites it was adults only?

No babies. Don't make exceptions - this muddies the water and guests may feel upset because they couldn't bring their children but someone else could

Only you can weigh your tolerance for screaming babies against...well, so far there's no downside to you still saying "no". If they're ok with finding a sitter for the night, why put your wedding peace at risk?

Generally it's good to make the 'no kids' policy as blanket as possible. Especially since it sounds like these people are local, so should have an easier time finding babysitting, I can't really see making an exception-- you're asking all your other friends with kids to make arrangements, so these people should, too-- IMO. And, if it matters, I have two kids of my own, so I am not speaking as one who has not dealt with this from the parents' perspective.

The baby stays home. I'd be kinda miffed if I had to leave my 10 month home but someone else got to bring their 8 month old. It's all or nothing.

P.s. that's my hypothetical 10 month old... fh thinks I have baby fever, I do not lol

This has nothing to do with "not wanting children there." It has everything to do with our venue having a capacity. I have no guns to stick to. If we could invite children, we would. Probably why I'm having a hard time deciding about allowing this baby to come -- since the reasons don't apply to him.

And no, I didn't put it on my invitations. That's generally considered poor etiquette.

And if I did make an exception for an 8-month-old, I'd make it for a 10-month-old too.

But...

I'm not going to be the one who asks for advice and doesn't take it. So, thanks!

I didn't mean to infer you didn't want kids but merely wanted to emphasize if you allowed one child to attend, than you should open it up to all children or vice versa.

As far as the invites, I was curious if "adult reception to follow" or other similar language was used vs. "ADULTS ONLY" or "NO KIDS!". The later obviously being in poor form. This might have helped you clear up confusion despite properly addressing the invite.

If you make that exception, others will cry because you didn't for them. I wouldn't.

We went to a wedding recently. We left our infant with a babysitter. No way I'd expose a small baby to the decibel level of the music that's played, at a wedding.

And I'm guessing that there's no way that someone can comfortably hold a 8 month old in their lap all night, either. I have a 7 month old godchild and she's especially noisy, in church.

My venue required a chair/space for a high chair/car seat holder, for any infant who wasn't worn in a sling/Bjorn carrier/etc. Strollers weren't allowed, next to the table. Of course, a chair counts for venue occupancy (fire rules), and we figure out it was over $20 per seat space, between tablecloth rentals, chair covers, and centerpieces.

My cousin had a 10 week old, at the time of our wedding. We told her she could bring him and that he was the only exception. She declined our invitation.

My venue has no restrictions like that; we can logistically only fit a certain number of tables in the garden, but there's a lot of space in the rest of the property.

I agree though, it's easiest to just stick with the policy so nobody feels they're being treated differently. I don't have kids, and sometimes I learn of exceptions that are made, but clearly this isn't one of them.

I've been trying really hard to stick to my guns on this. It'll just make everything easier across the board so people don't get their panties in a wad. The only one we are wavering on is a GMs baby. We have invited adults only, but if it will impact his ability to be a part of the wedding party, we will make an exception.

No. Only BP's children if they are also in the BP (FG/RB).

People who have kids are quite used to declining invitations where their babies cannot be accommodated; parenthood has its great rewards, but it also requires sacrifices of all kinds.

We have immediate family only. Our 2 kids and our 2 nieces. We have our regular sitter coming to the reception (she was invited to the ceremony too but doesn't want to take a full day from work). When the kids are done she'll head up to my parents room and hang out with them. My nieces will be under 2, one is local and the other oot so option is there to share our sittee

Slippery slope, stand firm

It's tricky. If the mother is still breastfeeding and you are willing to risk the kid crying during your ceremony, I'd say it's okay to make an exception for nursing mothers. But, if not, don't invite the child but don't be upset if they change their minds and decide to decline. FYI- we're not inviting children of any age, newborn- age 17. I don't want a crying baby at my ceremony.

I would but that's just me because like you I have no problem with kids. If your only issue is venue and the baby's won't cause any problem then you could possibly make life a lot easier on the parent if they can bring the baby, they wouldn't be asking if they weren't hoping you'd allow it.

Speaking from my own experience with my youngest I couldn't live her with anyone until she was about. 16 months. I mean I physically could of but it stressed me out too much because she would scream the house down and nothing was worth that for me. She settled as she got older. Only you can decide but i class babies and infants differently to children. Everyone know you generally don't pay for baby's until they are over 2 , some places over 3

Definitely no baby. Unfortunately others may feel very hurt if there is a child there and theirs wasn't allowed/ invited. I say stick to your guns on this one.

Be consistent.

This happened to me. We had a friend ask if his granddaughter who will be one can come (his daughter, baby's mom, is also invited). It's frustrating when people think "no kids" doesn't apply to them. I also asked on here and have to agree with the advice I got. Be consistent. No kids means no kids. What if someone bent over backwards to find a sitter just to walk in and see this baby. I'd be pissed. Keep it the same across the board. If someone won't come because their child can't, then that's a sacrifice they have to make as a parent.