Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

AlmostMrsSmith
Savvy July 2018

Is a kid friendly wedding such a bad idea?

AlmostMrsSmith, on March 18, 2018 at 9:54 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 71
Everyone who is important in my life has a 3 year old. My Niece is 3, my MOHs kid is 3 and I just can’t imagine excluding them from our wedding. We also have cousins and other important guests with little ones. When I tell people we will have 10 kids under 5 I keep getting horrified looks!

Our venue is outdoors and has a playground on site, plus we are having an ice cream truck. Is it really such a bad idea to let the little ones stay as long as they want? I’m planning on providing crayons, paper tablecloths, and Little dollar store toy gift bags to keep them busy. Why does everyone think I’m crazy? Anyone pull off a kid friendly wedding?

71 Comments

Latest activity by Deirdre, on April 15, 2018 at 8:13 PM
  • Going to the chapel
    Master July 2017
    Going to the chapel ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I don't think you are crazy. I've been to many weddings where kids were present. They seemed to have a great time and danced like crazy. Their parents actually parented and made sure that they weren't running around and bothering others. If they got upset, one parent took them out.

    The only downside was that the parents usually leave early when the little ones hit bedtime or get really cranky because they are tired.

    • Reply
  • A.Magill.Since.May
    Master May 2018
    A.Magill.Since.May ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Lots of people have kid friendly weddings, it's totally your decision. There won't be anyone younger than my 17 year old sister at my wedding, but that's because no one important to us have little kids. Not because we're explicitly having a child free wedding.
    • Reply
  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    We will have kids at our wedding as well! A lot of our friends have young kids and I can’t imagine our day without all of them.
    • Reply
  • Porterpoppin
    VIP March 2019
    Porterpoppin ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I have a 4 month old who will be 9 months at our wedding and he'll be there, I wouldn't really want other 9 month olds there only because I know they can cry randomly and can be inconsolable. I wouldn't really mind 3 year olds as long as their parents are watching them. My venue even has a play room for children woth all kinds of toys which I think is great. There's even an Xbox but I'm going to put that up because I don't want anything to happen to it
    • Reply
  • J
    Dedicated March 2018
    Julie ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    We had 6 kids under 10 at our wedding, with a total of 30 under 21 there. We have 5 kids between us, our friends and family all have kids. Some of my favorite times of the night were dancing with the kids.
    • Reply
  • Kiersten
    Expert February 2018
    Kiersten ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I don't think it's crazy. Our wedding had about 20 kids under the age of 16, and it was a blast. They killed it on the dance floor and really added to a great time. We didn't have a single complaint from anyone about the kids.
    • Reply
  • Gabby
    Beginner September 2018
    Gabby ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Personally, I think children put a damper on the bride and groom. Its your day- the focus should be on you! I have been to multiple weddings where kids were running around all over the place, throwing food, being noisy during the ceremony, etc.

    If you think that they kids will be good and not ruin your day then more power to you.


    • Reply
  • Victoria
    VIP October 2018
    Victoria ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    We are absolutely having a kid friendly wedding! I love all of my friends' children. We spend holidays together and vacation together every year. I couldn't imagine not having them there to share our day. We will be setting up games for the older children and coloring books for the younger ones to keep them occupied if they get tired of dancing.
    • Reply
  • Tobemrs.knudson
    Devoted June 2018
    Tobemrs.knudson ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I think it's a personal preference. I for one don't like kids and wouldn't want to be around any for a party and I certainly wouldn't want any at my wedding. They can be unpredictable loud obnoxious and irritating. I think weddings are more of an adult function then it is kid friendly.
    • Reply
  • Nick & Joi
    Expert May 2018
    Nick & Joi ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    Totally agree with u. To each its own but my friends cake was knocked completely over and onto the floor by her nephew (too much sugar and parents werent watching him at all)...i think its best to let the adults enjoy wedding nights out...

    • Reply
  • Kaylyn
    Super May 2019
    Kaylyn ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I actually have been getting the opposite reaction! I have never been to a kid-free wedding but initially (and kinda still) I wanted one. When I brought it up I got a lot of disapproving comments and looks because it’s “not fair”. So many of our friends are having kids now, and I don’t want them to miss out on my wedding because they can’t bring their children. If won’t necessarily be kid-friendly, I’m not paying extra to entertain people’s kids, but I understand why some people do
    • Reply
  • Heather
    Super April 2019
    Heather ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    About 30 people on our guest list are 12 and under. I honestly think it depends on the type of wedding. If it is super formal kids aren’t really appropriate but outside of that they’re fine. People always like to point out kids misbehaving but I’ve seen grown adults act worse at a wedding than children. It’s up to you and what you want.
    • Reply
  • AlmostMrsSmith
    Savvy July 2018
    AlmostMrsSmith ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Tantrums seem totally possible but I don’t think it’s will ruin the day for me! My mom thinks we won’t be able to get them off the playground which is probably a good 75 yards away from the reception seating. I’m hoping there are enough grandparents in attendance that someone will take one for the team and supervise playtime.

    My brother said not to bother hiring a babysitter... that most people won’t trust someone they haven’t vetted beforehand. I really think it’s too late for me to make it adults only anyway! I guess it’s just time to add some songs that will get the little ones dancing.
    • Reply
  • AlmostMrsSmith
    Savvy July 2018
    AlmostMrsSmith ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Omg so true. I’m more worried about certain adult friends acting up!
    • Reply
  • Orchids
    Master March 2018
    Orchids ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    Totally personal preference! My mind was made up after my cousin's ring bearer threw a SCREAMING tantrum during the ceremony, but I have a lot of friends who are very kid-oriented and wouldn't have dreamed of an adult-only occasion, which is totally their call!!

    • Reply
  • M
    Savvy June 2019
    Megan ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    We are definitely having a kid friendly wedding with 4 kids between us and all our siblings have kids 9 and younger. I want them all included and couldn't imagine the day without them.
    • Reply
  • AlmostMrsSmith
    Savvy July 2018
    AlmostMrsSmith ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment
    Oh weird. I’m 31 in Santa Barbara,CA and in my group kid free is the norm!
    • Reply
  • Xandria
    VIP December 2018
    Xandria ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    We're having kids! I really do think its a person preference. I'm not really a big fan of children, but I adore my sweet cousin (9), and my FW has two neiflings (5 & newborn) and we're soooo excited they're coming! Particularly because they are ALL flying to see us get married and be part of the party.

    As a little girl I loved going to weddings, I loved dancing, and being "one of the grown ups", I think it depends on your preferences, and also your kids.

    • Reply
  • Robyn
    Expert October 2018
    Robyn ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    25% of our guest list is kids most under 12. You can have a kid friendly wedding. It's a preference thing.
    • Reply
  • C
    Devoted November 2023
    Crystal ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    In my family you don't exclude kids, it just doesn't happen so I'd never imagine it. I had kids at my last wedding, my two daughters plus a few others. Some of my favorite memories center around them.
    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×

Related articles

WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Learn more

Groups

WeddingWire article topics