Children at the reception

I have to side with him. I recently didn't attend my cousins wedding because my children weren't invited. It's a hassle for parents with young kids. Plus I think kids make receptions fun -- they have a blast on the dance floor

You can't invite them to them ceremony and not the reception. It's either or. However it's perfectly fine to have an adults only wedding. I would change the age to 18 though. If people are unable or unwilling to find child care for one night that is their problem. Not yours.

My fiance and i had the same conversation and we agreed on not having kids at the reception. When our kids where young and we would go to such events we couldn't really enjoy ourselves. We would always worry that the kids where ok or not causing trouble or running around, then having to leave early because the kids had a bedtime. So we let everyone know that 13 and under you need a sitter to pick them up after a certain time or leave them at home.

^seconding everything Helena said. There's nothing wrong with an adult only wedding.

I agree with your fiancé

Why 12 years old? It's difficult to have a cut off age for children. What if a family has children over the cutoff age and also children that are younger? It wouldn't be right to split a family. Either allow children or have an adults only (18+) reception.

I don't feel like kids belong at weddings, and I'd prefer to go to an event where they weren't making nose, messes, and trying to get all the attention they can. Adults only ftw!

I wouldn't do an age limit- I think that your guests will use their judgment and know whether their children can handle a reception or not. Some will leave them at home, some will bring them... I'm sure it will be fine

@laurhud-parents won't use their judgement at all when it comes to bringing their children to an adult event they are not invited to. We have people on here all the time with guests adding extras to their RSVPs because they want to bring their children. If the OP doesn't want them then that's her choice. Every parent seems to think their angel is perfect and then you head about kids screaming bloody murder during ceremony and running around crazy at the reception.

Adults only wedding also, the only people under 18 that are invited are the ones in the bridal party. Perfectly acceptable but I second what Helena said, no cutoff at 12, make it 18 or 21. It's rude to split up families. We opted to do adults only because of the sheer volume of little ones that possibly would come (approx. 40 with 135 adult guests invited, it was a little much for us, our budget, and our venue's capacity). I would say that some exceptions include DW or guests who are from OOT, maybe help organize childcare for OOT guests who are all staying close by? Some people will hire a babysitter (or several - depends on # of kids) to watch the kids in a separate room/area than the reception hall, depending on where your venue is of course.

I've never had a problem with other people's kids running around at weddings, but as a mom to a 3yr old I certainly appreciate being able to have an "adults only" night. The last wedding I was in was outside, and my mom had to walk super far away with my son because he kept yelling "HI MOM! Dat's my momma!" Everyone was laughing, but I was mortified! Kids can be unpredictable, so I think most parents understand why someone would want a kids-free wedding. I agree with pp saying you shouldn't have a cut off age. Either adults only or not.

FH and I are having a no children wedding. We don't have many people in our family and friends with kids though, so it's not that big of a deal for us

I despise weddings that don't allow children ..not to be rude but I'm sure many of your guests have children they won't be able to attend people without kids don't realize sometimes how hard it is for parents to attend your events that don't allow kids

I have a daughter and I would completely understand if a friend was having a wedding with no children. Children can be much. And if proper notice (6 to 8 weeks) was given to me I would definitely be able to find a sitter in that amount of time. Some people take it very personally if their children aren't invited to every single event that they are. Be prepared for some to decline. But also prepare to have a wonderful evening with adults only. And yes I'd do it only 18 and older. you also have to think of the guests whose experience will be affected by other people's children being there, as well as your own. Harsh but true. ETA: clarity

@Nikki lol I can speak on whatever I like dear and the response was based on experience in hosting events and people not coming Bc of lack of babysitting hey I love an adult night just as much as the next person but I wouldn't exclude children from my wedding Bc they're are people that have issues with finding people to keep their kids

Thank you everyone, for your input. I respect your opinions. My wedding is in 13 months. So I am going to have an adult only wedding. They have 13 mos to find a babysitter. All of our family are here locally so I don't have to worry about oot guests and their children. Thanks again!

@karmeka. Have you ever heard of punctuation? It would probably help in your sentence structure of your rants if you used them.

That's your choice to have children at your wedding. Many many others have made the choice not to invite children and that is our right as the hosts not to have children there if we don't want them there.

We aren't having kids at the reception. Due to the location of our reception we felt it was best kids wouldn't attend. On our invitation we have it written on the bottom "Adult reception to follow" and on our detail card we put "We love your kids but thought you might like the night off".

So far all our guests are extremely happy with that.

@Helena I thought this forum was to give your advice and opinions? If I give an opinion that you or whoever doesn't like or agree with it's an issue i was stating my opinion how any one wants to have their wedding is solely up to them an no one else

Ummmm. I said you should probably use punctuation on your rants. As your posts were coming off as rants and could really use some structure.

Then if you were able to read the rest of my comment I said that it's fine that you want kids at your wedding. However respect the wishes of others who don't.