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Kristine
Just Said Yes June 2018

Infants at ceremony

Kristine, on March 7, 2018 at 1:19 AM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 62

Both of my SILs are pregnant, & are due any moment now. Our wedding is in June, outdoors with the ceremony near a river- a 2 minute walk from the barn & tent where the cocktail hr & reception will be. We have made an acception to have the babies attend the reception, but not the ceremony...
Both of my SILs are pregnant, & are due any moment now. Our wedding is in June, outdoors with the ceremony near a river- a 2 minute walk from the barn & tent where the cocktail hr & reception will be. We have made an acception to have the babies attend the reception, but not the ceremony as this is an outdoor event & should the babies cry, we'd hear them cry during the whole 2 minute walk back up to the barn. I've spoken to my brothers, 1 of which was upset- Period; and the other SUPER understanding. The only remedy to the issue, it seems, is to have my SILs not attend the ceremony, which is a big bummer, but at the same time accommodates our desires. Is this proper etiquette? To not allow my brothers infants during the ceremony? They have other children who will be part of the processional. However, they'll be the only children to attend the wedding. Has anyone attended ceremonies with infants, specifically 2-3 month olds? Would it be strange to possibly hire a babysitter just for the ceremony, which would only be 20-30 min tops? I'm so torn.

62 Comments

  • Nikki
    Devoted October 2018
    Nikki ·
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    If I were your SIL and treated me this way I'd have a huge problem with future family events. I would gladly stay home because I wouldn't be supporting that marriage.
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  • S
    Just Said Yes October 2018
    Sydnee ·
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    Idk, I had a baby last year at the end of May, and didn’t take her to a wedding but did take her to a pretty fancy fourth of July shindig we go to every year, and she must have been 6 weeks old? She didn’t cry even once, which I was honestly surprised given how many people there were, and I hadn’t taken her out really at all before that. I was nervous the noise would be too much for her( I was prepared to leave in a split second if something went wrong, it was my first baby lol) but she was just perfect the entire time. She slept, I would go to a more private area to breastfeed when I needed to, and it was an awesome day. I was going to take her to a wedding in September,but she ended up getting sick so we had to miss it. But I don’t think I would have been worried, when they’re that young they pretty much sleep all of the time anyway. But I do get that babies are unpredictable so I’m sure everyone would understand why you chose against that.
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  • R
    Savvy November 2018
    Renae ·
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    I would be highly upset if you told me to keep my child at home or they weren’t allowed. Those are your nieces or nephews. They should be wanted at the wedding. Now I understand if they weren’t immediate family. If my nieces or nephews were to start crying I would laugh because they are children and I also know it wouldn’t last long because someone would care for their needs .
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  • E
    Super October 2017
    Emily ·
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    This. Exactly. This is family and you're essentially telling them you aren't welcome at the most important part of your wedding because they dared to have a child. I understand that may not be your intent but if this were me I would go by your wishes but it would absolutely change our relationship moving forward and not in a positive way.

    Babies sleep a lot. If the baby cries, I'm 1000% sure the parent will remove themselves from the ceremony. No one is going to sit there while their infant cries loud enough to disrupt a ceremony for the entire amount of time it takes for a bridal party to walk up and down an aisle.

    Imagine this situation is reversed and how you might feel and call your brothers and tell them everyone is welcome.

    Weddings are really stressful times. We act strange, people around us act strange, but at the end of the day we will still have these relationships. This will not be as big of a deal as it may feel like right now. Be kind and loving to your family.

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  • Allison
    Expert October 2018
    Allison ·
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    Eh. I don't think it's really nessesary. By then the mothers will know their babies and their tolerance. They may know their baby is not going to be happy with the heat and not come.

    Besides, depending on the baby and the length of your ceremony, the baby may need to eat during that time anyway (some even cluster feed) and you really don't want a babysitter coming to the ceremony and having to get her.

    My guess is that mom will probably just stay home now.
    • Reply
  • Mrs.BowmanToBe
    Dedicated August 2018
    Mrs.BowmanToBe ·
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    My FSIL is pregnant now and due mid-May, about three months before our wedding. She is one of my bridesmaids as well. She already bought her baby girl a dress to wear to our wedding. I would have never even given a thought to not having them both there if I hadn't read your post. I can't imagine them not being there for our day.

    I also can only imagine how hurt and offended my FSIL would be, not to mention my FMIL!
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  • E
    Super October 2017
    Emily ·
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    I don't think the issue is people not reading your post. I know it's stressful planning a wedding and wanting everything to be perfect but the reality is that everything won't be and your wedding is one single day out of your life with your husband and all of these people invited.

    A lot of things bothered me while I was planning our wedding. Some things happened day of that I had no control over. In retrospect, looking back on the day, I'm glad I overreacted to myself and a few select loved ones and NOT to those guests. So many issues that seemed huge while planning were so small and not a big deal at all. When this day is over, it's over. And what was normal before becomes normal again. You don't want to damage relationships with people you care about because there is a risk that two infants may audibly cry during your ceremony. This will simply not be as big of a deal as you're feeling like it is right now.

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  • QueenDavis
    Super October 2018
    QueenDavis ·
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    If you don't want crying babies there then don't have them. Personally I wouldn't take my baby to a wedding......BUT THAT'S JUST ME!!!!! I do not want any screaming kids at my wedding, I dont even want them in my house. I would find out how my SIL feels about not attending the ceremony. Most people dont really care for the ceremony lol

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  • P
    Beginner June 2018
    purplejunebride ·
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    I can tell you I got almost the exact same responses from people when I posted about this. Some people just think it’s unbelievable and are completely rude. I can tell you I 100% understand where you’re coming from. Our ceremony is outside in front of a lake and the only way to exit it to go up a flight of stairs and you still have to walk a bit to get away. My fiancé and I don’t want crying babies at our ceremony as well. When people threw a fit about it we just sent invites that didn’t include children and everyone got over it and is fine. Ultimately it’s your wedding and it should be what you envisioned. It took me a while to get over people being upset but it will all be fine.
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  • Daria
    VIP January 2019
    Daria ·
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    OP: What do you think about this? Is it rude? Should I not do it?

    99.95% of WW: YES, it's rude. Your family will hate you.

    OP: Y'all are mean and I don't care! IT"S MY DAY!!!

    I mean, why ask a question if you don't want to hear the answer?

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  • Emily
    Beginner April 2018
    Emily ·
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    Ok, nobody wants a crying baby during their ceremony. End of discussion. I'd reach out to your church and ask if anyone would be willing to watch the babies during the ceremony. (Invite that person to the reception!)

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  • F
    Devoted May 2019
    Feneesa ·
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    I think your being ridiculous. You realize that’s your niece or nephew? It’s a family celebration. I would decline attend your wedding in this situation.
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  • J
    Dedicated November 2018
    Jessica ·
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    I don’t think it’s that bad because babies scream so much at that age and I don’t want that anywhere near an important event, like a wedding. I’m surprised that don’t already have a babysitter lined up for the day so they can relax
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  • The Nuptials
    VIP July 2018
    The Nuptials ·
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    I would be ticked, esp as a VIP family member. You need to let this go. These are very very young children, and they need a parent. I doubt I would let my kid be babysat at that age if I could avoid it. I am having and adult only wedding, but trust this wouldn't even ping my radar as they are newborns not toddlers running into things and poking the cake. Rethink this.

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  • Cassidy
    VIP October 2017
    Cassidy ·
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    You are not ENTITLED to bring your child to someone else's wedding. If you don't want exceptions--don't make them. Like another poster said--I would not be offended and think it's an incredibly presumptuous and selfish attitude to expect that the bride be okay with you bringing your baby. And yes--newborns cry. They are not angels. And some people are crappy parents and will let them cry it out. That said, if you have their other children attending the wedding and they belong to either one of your sister's in laws, you kind of have to let them bring the baby.

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  • Orchids
    Master March 2018
    Orchids ·
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    Nursing infants are generally the exception to "no kids" at weddings rules. I don't like kids or the noise that comes with them, but in the case of a VIP guest with a nursing infant, the best thing to do is suck it up and hope they sleep through it. (which at that age is pretty likely anyways.)

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  • Cassidy
    VIP October 2017
    Cassidy ·
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    Not necessary to make an exception for a nursing infant

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