Children leave reception by a certain time?

I think you may be over thinking it. We're having kids at ours and leaving it to the parents to decide when they leave. One couple has already told me that the kiddos will leave after dinner--thats fine but it was their decision not mine.

Sometimes you just have to let go and let it happen.

Maybe you could hire a couple of sitters to take all the kids into a room next door after the meal? The parents can dance and yet still check up on them?

My daughters future in-laws are doing this with the flowers girls and ring bearer.

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"How do you not invite first cousins to your wedding?" Easy, just don't HA!!

All kidding (not punny) aside, I've had the same issue. We wanted to keep things under 20 but I have 10 nieces. Some who are older and would feel left out if I didn't include them. I was a little rude to one of my sisters and told her to leave the baby babies at daycare that day. I love them but they won't behave. So I totally get it. Honestly the closer I get to the day the more I'm like "I'm shelling out X amount of money, why am I allowing other people to tell me what to do?"

I have been invited to a wedding that asked for children not to be there. Which honestly seems pretty norm in the area I currently live in( long island). The invite just said "please no children under X". I am originally from upstate and that is not the norm there so people would be pretty offended and probably decline the invite. Hope this helps.

First, don't write this on an invite or even discuss it with any of the parents coming. They will get super offended and pissed off. The other thing, don't worry about kids during a reception. Once the music starts, you won't hear them and typically it's the parents who tucker out first and often they will want to leave because of the loud music. Focus more on who you want to be there because they will be the ones in all your wedding photos.

This is really hard because saying "we want kids to leave by 9 please" may create hurt feelings and some people may just not show up.

We're not inviting kids at all. We want this to be a "Parent Night Out" vibe so everyone can really let loose.

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I had the same concern so I'm glad someone else asked. And I love the idea about having a "kid area" where they can crash or go play. Thanks for sharing!

If children are not allowed to stay for the entire period of the reception past the ceremony, then don't invite them to any part, period. It is rude to tell guests that children have to leave at a certain time.

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I hope you see my comment. in this string of people judging you. :-(