Children Getting Adult Meals?!

We had that issue too- We had 8 kids ages 5-12 and only 3 chose the kids meals. We talk w the venue and they didn't charge for the full open bar for the kids. They just charged us with the meal alone.

ETA- the other 5 kids chose the fillet mignon and eat the whole thing!

If the venue won't discount the alcohol, they get the kids meal.

"Karen, your mom's outdated advice doesn't apply to this. These are guests. They were offered a choice and they made it. No one upgraded."

I disagree. A date is a guest, these are all guests. Anyone who eats out KNOWS that a kids meal is appreciably cheaper than an adult meal. This was rude. For people inviting kids to a wedding, my advice is spend the time and do very specific RSVP/meal choice cards. Put the names on it, and next to kids names put ONLY the kids choices.

Adults at Disney World are 10 and up. Ask what age your caterer considers a child and double check with the parents what was selected.

That is crazy that they will be charged for alcohol because they may get an adult meal. We charge a soda and juice bar price for under 21 which is $15.95........that price doesn't change even if they get a filet and crab cake or whatever the bride and groom choose. When a steak and cake cost $68 vs chicken fingers for $24 that is a big difference for someone just to assume their kids can have an adult meal. Everyone budgets food into planning. I really hope the venue will cut your price down. Good luck!!

At 10 years old I was 5’2” and an athlete. I could pack away a 10oz steak with all the trimmings and dessert and ask for more food later, so yeah a 10 yo can eat an adult meal. Also keep in mind that some kids don’t like stuff on the kids menu. My 4 year old won’t eat most stuff on a kid’s menu because it’s not the same as the adult. We just either eat what he doesn’t (which is rare) or pack it up.

Thanks everyone.

I already said in a previous comment, I'm fine with them getting adult meals.

It's the cost of alcohol included, which I'll now be begging the venue to take off/ discount since we started getting rsvps back (I had asked them twice before, but it was long before invitations had gone out. Yes, I know the wording was vague, but didn't think it'd be a problem)

It's only for a few kids, so hopefully they say yes

If this happens, I will be changing the meal over to a kids. Sorry, but it is 3 times the cost.

In restaurants, I've noticed the cutoff age for children's menus tends to be as low as 10 and as high as 12. I am thinking that 1) the parents figured the cutoff here was 10 and any 10 year olds were too old for the kid's meal or 2) the 8-10 year olds that you said had filet chosen for them are so close to the cutoff age that their parents have stopped making them order off kid's menus so they can get a portion that fits their appetite or so they don't have to eat "kid food" when their tastes may have matured.

That's a shame your venue is being so difficult about this. Now that I think about it, though, I think we were charged in full for the four guests who were between 15-20, despite the fact that they weren't drinking alcohol from the bar (except I think they had champagne during the toast like any other adult).

Ugh, OP that is really annoying the venue does that. My venue doesn't do catering, but they do the bar. She just asked me how many we had that were drinking. So I gave her a breakdown of x amount of kids, 2 pregnant women, 5 adults who don't drink. They were really easy to work with on it so I don't have to pay for anyone who isn't actually drinking. I would definitely plead with that. That's BS that if a kid wants a good dinner, you have to pay for the bar. They aren't using it. That's robbery!

That really is astounding that they are charging you for alcohol for children. Our venue charged $20/PP to upgrade to open bar. For anyone who was under age 21, but getting an adult entree, we were charged the adult price without the additional $20.

Why do people think it's weird that you don't have 18-20 year olds coming? We certainly won't....we are in our 30s, so we don't have any friends under 21, and all of our friends kids are under 10.

That is annoying. I have one child being invited who will get a kids meal at 1/3 the price of an adult meal. I have 2 friends over 21 who will only eat chicken fingers and fries, and their meal is priced at 2/3 the cost of an adult meal to accommodate the open bar. I couldn't imagine spending the price of an adult meal on one kids meal when said child won't even be two by time my wedding comes around.

I would definitely take this up with the venue. Are they charging you alcohol for the vendor meals as well? It makes no sense. Anyone under 21 and vendors should not be charged for the alcohol. At my daughter's venue, those meals are discounted for the lack of alcohol.

What is the kids meal?

I would ignore their response and serve any child under 12 the kids meal, unless they selected the vegetarian choice and your kids meal is not suitable. No one is going to throw a fit once it's on the table in front of them. I would not be happy paying for an adults meal for kids!

"A date is a guest,"

What kinds of dates are you going on?

Kristin, literally no one thought it was weird that she doesn't have 18-20 year olds coming.

Why are people suggesting she just changes the meals to kids meals? That's crossing the line. Y'all know you would throw a hissy fit if you went out to eat and the waiter decided that what you ordered didn't suit you so they brought you something else. Why is it okay to do that to a kid?

I would change their meals to kids meal. End of story. Lol