How Common is the "Adults Only" Reception?

I think it is becoming the norm. When my cousin got married maybe 10 years ago, he had an adult only wedding and it meant 4 of my cousins and my one sister were left out from being invited. It was the first time I heard of it then but I thought it was a great idea. To my mom and dad, it really wasn't a big deal - they got a sitter. But two of my uncles, the ones with the kids, acted like brats about the whole thing and refused to come if their children weren't invited. Oh well.

Luckily for me, all my first cousins are in their teens now and my sister is 13, so it is easy to cut off everyone else. They would be kids of my cousins or friends anyway, so I don't have a problem cutting them for that, not just for age. Made it much easier for me - I wouldn't care if I offended anyone but it's easier not to. :-)

I think it's pretty common. We didn't state "no kids" on our invites, but it was pretty much a given. i think the youngest guest at our wedding was 12 and he's our nephew. The rest of the guests with small children seemed relieved to be able to have a night out.

We are only having 2 children at our wedding: my nephews. I debated about telling my sister she would need a sitter for them and going completely "adults only", but when I realized they thought they were going to be ring bearers (not gonna happen), I felt I had to at least compromise. However, I know that not inviting their children is why NONE of my cousins are coming. Small wedding, and I was not having over 10% of the guest list be kids I have seen once in 6 years, especially when I don't have kids myself.

My experiences have been:

Formal weddings held at traditional venues: no kids (children who are part of the wedding party are taken by sitters after the ceremony, either by a professional hired by the couple with activities in a separate room at the venue, or taken home by a sitter of the parents' choosing).

Casual weddings held in church basements, social halls, or back yards: kids.

I didn’t realize how common it was before I came on these boards. And I’m glad I did because we are having an adult only wedding. Our venue charges us per head, and that includes children. We are also limited with space because the venue has a max number of chairs and tables available; it’s a fairly small place. Having adults only allows us to invite more people since we are only inviting 2 from a family instead of 4 or 5. Most of my friends and family understand.

We are having an adults only even minus 3 of the children in my wedding all of which are my nieces and nephew.

About half the weddings I have gone to have been adults only.

We did adults only.

a) we don't have any kids yet

b) we didn't have the cash to include all both of our cousins so we had no cousins

c) most of our friends are happy to get a night out adults only

d) I didn't wanna censor the musicians as they are all our friends, I wanted them to sing and play all the stuff I like, some swears or none.

we allowed babies under a year old (under running in circles age, and being tripped over on teh dancefloor age)

No kids invited to mine...keep them at HOME!

I've never been to a wedding or reception where children weren't allowed. Could it be a regional thing maybe?

I havent been to a adult only wedding either, or at least I didn't know if it was. I agree with a few others here that weddings have became a very expensive and play a factor.

I am allowing kids at our wedding and its in Las Vegas. I don't mind kids as long as the parent can control them. Our son will be controlled by his grandma

I think it's also a culture thing I will be allowing kids due to I have kids and would love them to be a part of the biggest day of my life and their dads.

Also our family is huge and filled with lots of kids but that's what makes my family who they are. But it's not for everyone and that's whats great about it you can have your wedding the way you like it.

I haven't been to a wedding either for Adult s only. But I usually don't bring my kids to weddings that are not immediate family.

My FH has a ton of children in his family. His family is HUGE. However, we are having a destination wedding & are only inviting close family members. Adults only. We are having a reception at home when we get back & personally, I don't want children to attend that either. It is one day. Other than the flower girl/ring bearer, there shouldn't be children. For obvious reasons, they cry/throw fits/obnoxious.

Just my opinion (:

Very common, we are doing an adult only reception. Only the two flower girls will be there. I agree with the posts above, with an open bar and dancing, its just not a place for kids, and I want my friends with kids to have a fun time and not be chasing their kids all over the place!