Not inviting kids to a wedding.

Ugh, I envy everyone who is having a kid free wedding. I fought very hard on this one and unfortunately lost. I think my FH was actually going to take back his proposal if I didn't allow kids to be there. I think they steal the show and children are so badly behaved now a days that they will ruin everything. My DJ even said the worst thing for a wedding is kids. No one wants to go out on a dance floor where a bunch of kids are running around. I swear if his family's kids ruin my wedding I will never forgive them. Sorry I know that is harsh but I really don't want them there. Our reception goes until 11:30pm that is way too late for children to be out.

My personal wedding is also a night affair and the only children we allowed were our niece and nephews. Our rule was no one under 18. We were very nice by saying "Due to budget constraints we couldn't invite all we wanted to..." Also if you end up caving on the kids think about having a table in the corner with activities for them. Toys, coloring books, and other things to keep their attention through dinner.

Add wording to the invitation, even then you may have guests ignore the request. Here are some thoughts about infants & children from an experienced venue's POV:

1) Posted, designated diaper changing area for infants/toddlers? Even if there is we OFTEN find used diapers under or on the reception tables (gag)

2) Some parents who bring children to weddings/receptions will not supervise their children during the reception, esp. as liquor consumption increases.

3) Kids are curious and active, they feed off each other's energy & will trample flowerbeds, jump off retaining walls, etc. They're an unsupervised liability (damages) for the renter

4) If kids are to be present provide activities; we setup croquet, bocce, a soccer net, frisbees and chalk for the sidewalk in an area nearby the reception tent. When there are lots of kids the renters may bring in a bounce house or video movies.

5) Kids get tired, consider mailing a certified sitter list for out-of-town guests for off-site care.

The only kids that will be at our wedding are his from his previous marriage and mine from my previous one. Thats it! And every last one of our kids knows EXACTLY how to behave and be well mannered and none of them are toddlers.

I don't see what's the problem with NO KIDS/ADULT ONLY RECEPTION! Ask them, do you take your kids to the bar? So why bring them to my wedding?

My invitations said Adult reception to follow and luckily everyone respected it. I think alot less people came because of it but I was having the reception at a victorian house and couldn't afford to be responsible for children running around breaking things and interrupting important moments. Plus kids always manage to catch the bouquet and garter for some reason....awkward.

I have several guests who have extremely unruly children, and one of my guests will have a 2 week old baby, which I don't think that she should bring to our wedding. She will not be nursing, and her other child will be with her grandmother. I have decided to add a line at the end of my invitation that we "respectfully request only children from immediate family attend." We only have our two daughters, and a handful of young cousins who are well behaved. Otherwise, I would have to listen to this mom yell at her daughter all day, or a screaming baby. I may be being selfish, but it is my day, and people will have to respect that.

I think it would depend on where you want this to go, either way it's your wedding and if you do not want children there then they have to get over it.

Now, I tend to be a bit catty so I would have probably wanted to comment back to my future sister in law that while children are 'expected' to act unruly... Parent are 'expected' to teach them how to behave in public.

Its funny the parents with bad kids have the biggest issue with this. The kids don't "do well" with babysitters because they bad and no one wants to keep them. Girl it they can't bend this for you, don't worry about it. Stick to your guns! Less money out of your pocket.