Counting toddlers/babies as guests?

I would talk to your venue about this. Most of the time they still have to charge for certain age groups, but only charge for half. Even if they aren't eatng, the venue still has to count them as "persons" for capacity (ie fire codes and such) and if they will need a chair or highchair, the venue still has to make those accomodations.

Ask your venue. Although 3-4 year olds eat regular food, so I don't understand. Are they having a kid's plate?

I understand what you mean. All of the guests who are bringing children to the wedding are very picky about what their kids eat, and will probably not feed their children anything we are having at the reception. I would talk to the venue, though.

They won't be having a kid's plate; their parents will probably bring snacks for them. They're pretty picky eaters. Thanks for the advice!

We are going to offer a kids plate since we will have alot of kids.

Our venue needs to know a total count, but children under 5 are free and 5-13 only cost $10 (1/4 the cost of the whole meal), but we are doing buffet style. Assuming your venue and caterer are separate, I would ask both how they count children.

Our venue needs to know a total count, but children under 5 are free and 5-13 only cost $10 (1/4 the cost of the whole meal), but we are doing buffet style. Assuming your venue and caterer are separate, I would ask both how they count children.

Our venue needs to know a total count, but children under 5 are free and 5-13 only cost $10 (1/4 the cost of the whole meal), but we are doing buffet style. Assuming your venue and caterer are separate, I would ask both how they count children.

I personally dont want to include them because I know they wont eat and cost per person is $20 for buffet. Guess now I have to find out lol

I would ask the venue or caterer. It definitely does vary and some places have kids options and others do not.

Ask the venue/ caterer. Our venue does not count any child under 3, even if they will be eating some of the food. Any child over 3 must be counted for the final price. Just make sure to ask and go from there!

Like others said, ask your caterers. Though if for some reason you have to give the venue a guest count I would count them. Don't forget to count them when you are figuring out how many chairs/pieces of cake you will need.

You would have to include them for the "set" number. For example...the room would be set for 100, but you are only guaranteeing (paying for) 95ppl for food.

They are count as part of the final count (chairs, space). Since we are having a plated dinner, we just have to let our caterer know when we give them the final count how many children's meals we need. Children's meals are around $10-11, while the adult meal is $25-35, so definitely going to save there.

I am in the same boat as you. My niece is an extremely picky eater... she gets it from her father. At my venue, children under 4 are free and 5 and older are half the price of an adult plate. Price for an adult = $30 give or take a few dollars. So essentially, I'm looking at paying $15 for a 6 year old to eat NOTHING. I am thinking of contacting my venue and seeing what to do. Because she will not eat anything they have, I already know this. In fact, her own father will not eat anything either. Wanting to see how they handle cases like that. I'll probably still have to pay, but it's worth a shot. I do not have many children attending, 2 FGs, 1 RB, and only 3 other children under the age of 10.

Talk to the venue about chairs for the children, including the baby. Children under 3 may require a highchair. Depending on your area and venue, they will usually not charge for these.

As for catering, you can ask for a child's menu which is a much lower cost and you would included the children. Be sure when you call in your final count, that you let them know the number and ages of the children. Most children under the age of 4 will sit in a parents lap and eat from their plate.

A lot of times the caterer will make a kid's plate... we recently went to a wedding and the kids got chicken fingers and fries while the adults had a choice of your traditional steak, fish or chicken. I plan on having my caterer make plated meals for the kids I know won't eat our buffet (stirfry and pasta).

^What they said.

I would ask the venue. At ours, kids 2-12 can receive the kids menu, and kids under 2 are free. I think most venues have something similar.