Babies/Toddlers at a Wedding - Seeking Advice

That's a toughie ... As a mom I have never wanted to bring my son to a wedding for fear that he would have one of his awesome two year old tantrums while the bride walks down the aisle... But if someone did specifically invite my son I would bring him and then would more than likely feel uncomfortable leaving him in the care of someone I don't know even for that short period of time ( I'm a bit overprotective I know) . I would lean towards specifically inviting adults only and if a couple approach you regarding bringing them you can deal with it on a case by case basis. You also don't want a babysitter buried with 5 babies and 3 toddlers ... Could get ugly fast !

Side note - if it makes you feel better my son hates it when me and FH hold hands, kiss, touch, or god forbid dance. I'm fifty percent positive he's going to scream no when we have our first kiss and cry through our first dance! I'm praying his 2 favorite people ( papa and nana ) being there will keep him preoccupied !

If you have a wedding program you could have a note on the bottom that says "The bride and groom request that young children be left with the on site babysitter" or if you are having ushers you could have them gently mention to the parents that the bride and groom have requested that young children who are bound to become restless be taken to the babysitter for the duration of the ceremony. Noting this on your wedding website might also be beneficial so parents aren't blind sided by this request.

I'm in the same situation, I really don't want young babies there. This actually only applies to two guests of ours (the rest have either no kids or kids older than 5 or 6 which are fine with us). So we have on our website that we won't allow children under the age of 5. The only problem with us is that one of our bridesmaids will be affected by that, she's coming from out of state too. So it'll be fun telling her that info.

I don't know how many that this will apply to in your case, but maybe you can set an age limit like me.

I am with you 100% Purple I do not want children crying or whining during the wedding therefore I will not be allowing children to attend the wedding at all. If people cannot find a babysitter for a day or feel offended then o well it is my day and I want to enjoy it in peace!!! I say either have no kids allowed at all or set a age limit like Happy In Hawaii stated.

How many kids do you think you'd be inviting? If it's only a few I would call those people directly and explain that you and FH have decided that you'd like the ceremony to be an adult only event so you're offering a babysitter for those 20 minutes.

Otherwise I think you'd be better off just not inviting kids at all. That's what we're doing. I think if I had a child and they were invited to the reception but not the ceremony, I probably just wouldn't bring them at all anyway.

I'm having a no children at all ceremony and reception. My wedding webpage mentions that we will have babysitting that we are providing for out of town guests. I don't know if that helps you, but if there's only a couple of people bringing kids, I would just personally tell them.

My niece will be 2 months old almost 3 at the wedding. She will be there during the ceremony. If she starts to cry, one of my SIL's parents will step out with her. We also have young nieces and nephews on FH's side. If they cry, they cry. I'm not too concerned.

We're having an onsite babysitter as well and kids aren't allowed at the ceremony or reception. Speak to those who have voiced concerns, but don't make an announcement. OR have parents chip in for the sitter if they want to bring them.

I feel like a parent can decide if 20 minutes is too long for their child to sit still, personally. I feel like a babysitter is overkill, but that's just my two cents.

We had numerous babies at our wedding, and to be honest, I don't remember any of them making a peep. Our ceremony was at 5:00pm though and also lasted about 20 minutes, so it wasn't during feeding/nap time.

I wouldn't stress about it so much, but if it sort of depends on the number of children you're expecting.

It's funny, most of the churches down here have a cry room. I never heard of that until I moved here. I have to say most parents don't just sit there and let their kid scream during church. They tend to get up and go outside with them until the storm passes, so to speak.

We are doing a kids party for kids that are potty trained (that don't want to attend the reception)....we are actually asking parents of little kids to hold them during the ceremony or to leave them with a sitter back at their cabin. BUT I am finding most parents of little ones (babies/toddlers) are not that comfortable leaving them with someone they don't know (even if they are CPR certified and a day care provider by day).

Don't invite the kids or babies then verbally mention it to those with infants when you are close to the wedding date that they can bring the baby to the ceremony if they want but to let you know since space is limited since there will only be one babysitter during the ceremony.

Skip out on inviting children, a wedding is not a child friendly event IMO and I know a lot of parents who would love an adult only eveningv which is one of the reasons we will not be having children at ours.

Nope no children at mine except for the exception of the 5, two are in the wedding party which includes our daughter. if the parents cant find a sitter then i guess they cant come im sticking to it too lol i wouldnt hire a babysitter tho, if u got to hire one then you should save ur money and tell the parents to find sitters, that shouldnt come out ur pockets

If you're inviting toddlers you are running the risk of them crying during the ceremony. Having a separate place where they can go during the ceremony sounds like a good idea but I have a feeling a lot of parents will feel annoyed by that

I plan on letting the parents make the call on bringing them, but it is a friday wedding beginning at 8pm. most have said they'd rather party and leave the kid with a babysitter, but my bff has a 5 year old that i love to hang out with so she will attend. either way, i dont wanna be the bad guy that makes someone feel unwanted because they have a kid. people have sense to leave with a crying kid. i'm more worried about FH's obnoxious "look at me, i'm the star of everything" 10 year old niece.

I would skip inviting children all together. It's one day, people can make alternative arrangements. It's nice to offer a babysitter but I don't really feel that it's my responsibility to provide this option for people, parents have made the decision to have children and they should understand that they will not be able to bring them everywhere. The only child I am having is our flower girl, she'll be 3 the week after our wedding.

As a parent, I would rather not bring my kid lol. There are times where I just want a night out and a wedding is a perfect excuse.

In my opinoin I hate it when people are very avid about NOT having children... which you would think this is weird because I do not have children. Many of them may not have a sitter, many may be coming from out of town. Then of course, how will you feel when you have children. You may not have a sitter either, especially if all your family and friends happen to be attending the same wedding.

We are having TONS of children ranging from 6 months to 16 at our wedding due to our closest family and friends. We camp, go to sporting events, do local events in town together including the children. it would be weird to not have them there.

But that is my opinion. I know that maybe 25% of people will agree with it. But it is life. Life is full of people that mean things to you. This is a loving moment. love should be shared regardless of age and the event.

Anyway, that is my high horse. Besides, if the kids is crying more than likely the mom will go to a bathroom or car to avoid embarrassment, awkwardness, and to avoid being rude. You may be surprised.

Idk if I was any help.

In my experience (of about 1200 weddings, give or take a few) crying babies, screaming toddlers and small children running through the aisles at a ceremony are rarely re-homed in a logical amount of time. They are cajoled, tickled and coo-ed to, hoping that they'll stop. They usually do not.

It is definitely a loving moment but one that is not always compatible with the attention span of a small child. They simply do not care as much as you hope they will, and in most cases should be let at home.

Sorry, that's the way I feel about it. A wedding is a once in a life time experience and a two year old running through the crowd does not belong there. If the little kids belong to the couple, then yes, they do belong there, but with supervision.