No kids at reception?

There is not a polite way to separate kids from their parents for both events of the wedding. If you don't want kids at the reception, don't have them at the ceremony. It will also be a pain for the parents.

@A.L.C. Okay. And again I've NEVER been to a wedding where there were children who were not a part of the day, as in, a part of the wedding.

You do know everyone doesn't have the same experiences in life right. Mine happens to differ from yours. No biggie.

@MadeFromHisRib Your "you know everyone doesn't have the same experiences in life" seems an odd comment seeing as how just a moment ago you were the one acting like those of us who had seen kids as weddings were the weird ones.

Just put "Adult reception to follow" on the invitations?

So the parents have to leave and take their kids home? I bet they won't come back. We're doing no kids. Period. Do one or the other. Don't mix.

I'd not worry about it- if the parents don't want to expose their kids to drinking and dancing they'll take them home- otherwise, don't worry about it- more than likely they will leave earlier and the non kid guests can party on-

As a parent, when my daughter was young, I would not have brought her anyway- I'd get a sitter for the whole event 1

Here something to consider - inviting or not- it's not really your issue to worry about what the parents will do logistically with the kids- it's up to the parents- so what ever you decide you decide- then let it go

Unless your reception is an old school warehouse rave, I'm not sure what the trouble with children being there would be....

Perhaps the timing of your wedding could indicate the party aspect of the reception? For example, I'd be annoyed at having to drag my kid to a late reception and would probably get a sitter or family member to watch them so they don't get bratty and kill my vibe. That way you absolve yourself of having to tell parents that their kids aren't welcome directly.

If you don't want to have kids there, then you can't invite them to any part of the wedding, and there's nothing wrong with that. A child free wedding is totally fine.

I have two kids, and have no plans to take them to any weddings for a long time, even if they're invited. But if I was invited to your wedding, what would you expect me to do after the ceremony? Go home? Have someone come get them? You're creating a logistical problem for people if they thought to go along with this. But I would not go through the hassle of getting my kids dressed up for a wedding, taking them there, and then having to pack them all up 45 minutes later.

You can't have kids at the ceremony and not the reception. If you don't want kids at the reception, then you have a kid-free wedding (and that means no flower girl and no ring bearer or junior bridesmaid). You don't treat kids like crap and make them sit through your boring ceremony and then make them go home.