Children and wedding

You can definitely choose to have a child free wedding. If that’s what you’re leaning toward, I would tell the wedding party sooner rather than later so they can all arrange childcare/figure something out for that.

We are having a child free wedding, nobody in my bridal party has kids but a significant portion of my FH’s small does. We put on our details card in our invites that only children who are in the wedding party will be in attendance (ring bearer and flower girls)

If they are traveling 1-3 hours that makes things harder because not everyone wants to leave their children over night with someone or they might not even have someone to leave their children with over night. Also depending on the children's ages they might not feel comfortable with this. I think you really need to discuss this with your bridal party. I can tell you the guy who was our best man is getting married this year (thanks Covid) and I am not attending because it's across the country and I don't want to travel on my own (husband has to be there several days in advance for bachelor party & rehearsal) with a five month old. Leaving her with someone other than me isn't an option because she is breastfed.

You can absolutely have a child free wedding. Just know that some people may not go or agree to be in the wedding party if they can’t get childcare.

Ok. If they have kids, they might have to bring them but doesn’t mean you have to bring yours. Enjoy yourself and a bridal party isn’t mention to agree 100. That’s what makes it unique

You can politely inform the guests in your invitations that they have to find a solution to be able to come alone to the party... ;-)

I'm probably in the minority, but I think a childfree wedding should mean no kids at all. If you allow a couple kids to be there because they are in the wedding party, other people might feel resentful that their kids couldn't come too.

All of our guests had to travel and we had a kid free wedding. No part of me wanted children running around and screaming at my wedding. Parents can find family or a sitter to watch their kids. And honestly, most parents prefer the night away!

I am having a child free wedding. Although I am mentioning (on the website I created) that “if it is an emergency and you cannot find a sitter for your children contact me ASAP” and I provided an email specifically for wedding related things. Just as an, just in case idea.

It is fine to have a childfree wedding, however, for those who are traveling and don't have access to an overnight sitter/family member, it will be hard regardless of the amount of heads up you give them. Childcare can be expensive and then throw on bridal party expenses. So there may be more declines or your bridal party may not be able to attend the wedding. These are the options that I can think of

1. Pay for an onsite sitter. Caveat to this, is they may not feel comfortable leaving their kids with a stranger.

2. Only let children of the wedding party attend. Some will be ok, and others will think it's unfair depending on how much traveling is involved

3. Ask them to bring a sitter/family member and help pay for the additional cost of a hotel room for the sitter. That way they will be nearby or have a designated spot for children on site.

4. Have them figure it out, but know their is a chance they cannot make it

I also kind of dislike the alcohol excuse for excluding children. Their parents are responsible for them and should know what to do at places that serve alcohol, and at other family functions where alcohol is served, they are still in attendance.

A child free wedding is fine to have! One thing though is that with that choice comes the possibility that not everyone will make it. If you're good with that, no worries! There are threads on this website about how to go about communicating that.

So many weddings are child free! It’s really ok!