Reception: Kids vs. No Kids

One venue that we are leaning towards has a very large bridal suite with tables and a television, so he is thinking to appease the both of us he might ask them to turn the bridal suite into the kid room and have them served dinner in there.

^ Depending on the age and personality of the kids, that may or may not work. There are also parents who won't want to be separated from their kids for whatever reason.

I am going to get an extra hotel room, put some toys and stuff in there and get a family member or two to stay in there with them. That way none of the parents need to find a babysitter, and all the kids get to spend time together, you can even make it like a mini reception for them so they feel like they are apart of the wedding as well. a little snack buffet, chips, candy, soda. and some music or games.

That's what I would like to do, but our venue will most likely not be a hotel. I'm hoping there's an extra room somewhere on the premises.

We are having about 15-20 kids ages 6 months to teens. My family is close knit and I grew up with most of these children and I consider some of them as my brothers and sisters. At every family reunion we include children: weddings , birthday parties, baby showers, and their is always alcohol for the adults. I cannot imagine not sharing such a wonderful day with the little ones too. It would be too dull. Maybe it's a cultural thing all my side of the family (Hispanic) is bringing their kids while my husbands ( White) most are not bringing theirs.

We treat all the kids like they're our own and it just seems weird to me to not have them there on such a special day.

You guys need to come to a consensus, but personally, I'd ask each venue possibility what their policy is on kids. That may solve your problem right there. Some may not allow kids, and if they do, some may even have a policy that kids can eat for less/free at the actual wedding. That would cut down on what you'd spend for kids (even though our caterer was the one with that type of policy - kids under 5 ate for free).

We had kids at our wedding (mainly because kids are the center of our family and we wanted the older ones to have our wedding as a fun memory - so we had kids there from 3 months-11 years old).

To my knowledge, nobody cried at the ceremony, and none of the kids were causing any trouble (besides running around in circles outside in our gaming area - which is the norm with the kids in our family).

Having kids at a wedding is really NOT that bed, but it depends on the atmosphere you want to create.

This is something FH and I have been disagreeing on.... I am vehemently anti-kids, but he's worried about offending people if they're not invited. Luckily, FMIL agrees with me. Asking venues what their policies are is a great idea; that might give you some ideas.

I have 3 kids in my bridal party. I reserved a small room at my venue to house the kids. They will get kids meals and entertainment. Someone will be watching them while they dance to their own kids bop music. I really want the adults to come but I didn't want the kids running all over my reception and constantly crying. Maybe if you have the money just hire a local sitter to be with them while you enjoy your reception.

That's exactly what I want! I would like to hire an even sitter, but FH doesn't see the need to spend extra money. I get his point, but it is a big conundrum when we have kids in the wedding party and many of the wedding party have kids themselves.

For FH has younger cousins and their parents wouldnt want to go through the trouble of finding someone to babysit, besides, he's really close with alot of them, I would love to have kids at the reception because (for one I'm having a dry reception, then an after party where people buy their own drinks) and little kids in cute dresses or cute little tuxes on the dance floor woud be adorable for pictures! kids liven up the place at times,

maybe have a separare room if possible with a tv and have a disney movie playing.

I have a big family and with children included in my guest list--it brings it up by 50 kids (that's without counting my friends with children) and that's a no no for my budget. Therefore, only my FH's nephews, flower girls, and ring bearers are included. I am thinking about providing babysitting service at a hall right across from where the wedding will be. I have spoken to some family and friends about it and seem to understand.

Most likely if you don't say no kids hardly anyone will bring them. If you say no kids people then want to bring them. My wedding is very kid friendly and I know their parents will keep track of them and that these kids are well behaved. I even have a two month old coming.

My wedding will be Adult Only I had to be very cut & dry. No exceptions were not even for my god children I felt as I would have to allow all or none. No one has declined due this, I made it clear for start wedding website, word of mouth& actual invites. I even have out of town guest that have children and are making arrangements for childcare so they can attend. if your guest want to come they will. Having children there does change the feeel of your event. I say this and have children they will be in my wedding.

So for those of you who say no kids, what do you do about the kids in the wedding party?

My children are in the wedding party I simply said they will be the only children present.