How do you ask people not to bring young children?

I put "Adult Reception" on my Reception card

Well, I can tell you that if your going to ask some people not to bring their kids but let other people bring their kids, be prepared for a lot of hostility at your wedding.

Other than that, adding "adult reception' like Mrs. Jacques said to the invitation or reception card would work. Or word of mouth. We are doing an adult only wedding too but we spread by word of mouth and we are putting on the rsvp cards "we have reserved ___ seats in your honor" and we are putting how many people are invited and their names on the card.

Adult reception only

I'm in the same situation.. My wedding is outdoors and the reception is on site too, so if a child starts screaming, they can't just "take them outside" - they already are! my problem is that I have two small nieces and my fh has 6 nieces and nephews. I want my nieces to be there, and you can't pick and choose what kids are allowed, ya know. They all range in age from 3-9. His brother & his wife are the worst about making their kids mind too, they run around and get into everything.. which worried me for the reception.. since it's a buffett style meal. I'm just crossing my fingers & hope they have the common sense and courtesy to either not bring them or make them behave.

If you are having a reception separate from the ceremony as far as location and time goes then I agree with the rest about "adult-only". I would do that if I were having it separate.. that way no body is offended by feeling singled out if they do have kids.

Address the invitation to the adults and don't include the children's names. If they rsvp and include their children, you call them and tell them that you are having an adults only reception. Including it in the invite can be considered rude.

We're having child care. I worked at a day care though so the girls volunteered to do it. I don't know how else to go about it other than like they said.. tell people it's and adults only event.

We are putting on our invitations, Mrs & Mrs. and then on the RSVP Cards it says please let us know if you and your guest wil not be attending

I would say that if you offer child care thinking that you'll be able to control whether or not the parents actually use it, you're making a mistake.

But if it's an option for parents attending your wedding and you have child care providers who are experienced in keeping kids entertained, then it's a really great option. Just make sure that you have activities in the kids' room to keep them occupied. If they get bored, they'll likely ask to be with their parents.

Sorry if there was a misunderstanding about "its not all kids" I meant not all children misbehave but I know I can't tell one family to bring there well behaved child and another family sorry no brats allowed...lol. I don't care about children at the reception (my family is full of babies right now) I would just prefer my ceremony to be intimate. My church has a nice nursery so I was wondering if it would be rude to direct people with little ones into the nursery...plus I think the kids would have more fun. I am just certain on how I could inform families or what I should do.

Thanks for everyones input so far...it really does help

You could always put "I have a dragon and a barrel of ketchup, bring your kids at your own risk!!!"

Put Adults Only.

Danie that is a great idea...lol. I bet thats really how my friends felt when kids start screaming...hahaha

You know my friend did this to me at his wedding..He called me that week and said I could not bring my son...well when I got there alot of other people had small children with them...needless to say I was kind of pissed off because he made a point to call me and say kids were not allowed and than there were people with kids. Now my son at the time was not loud or rude or "one of those kids" so I know he was not telling me for that reason.

So please if you ask that no children be allowed to attend make sure no one does show up with kids because being on the other side of it I was not happy at all

I don't think it's rude to direct people with kids to the nursery, but do you really need that hassle? Who directs them? Who's watching them during the ceremony? What to do if people say no to putting their kids there? Seems like a lot of trouble. I would suggest no kids at ceremony AND reception or dealing with them a both.