Wedding Wednesday – How Can I Request Adults-Only At My Wedding?

Your Wedding Wednesday Question:

I want my wedding to be an adults-only affair. How can I make sure that people don't bring their kids?

Answer:

If you want to enjoy a child-free wedding, you need to be upfront and say as much. The easiest approach is to be direct and put it right on your invitations.

Proper etiquette would dictate that if a child's name or "family" wasn't included on the invitation, then the children were not invited. But this is bound to bring a great deal of phone calls. Better to cover all your bases and add  "Adults Only, Please" to the bottom of the card that way there are no misunderstandings.

Depending on your guests this stipulation could be a joy or a pain for them.  Some might love the chance for a night without the kids. Other might have problems finding a babysitter, especially if many friends and family are attending your wedding or they have newborns.

Some suggestions:

• Consider providing childcare at the venue.
  

  "Children will be welcomed at -Hotel Name- during
  the wedding and reception with -Service Name- child care services.
  Wedding and reception are adult only."

• State whether you will allow children at the reception, the ceremony or not at all.
  

  "While we adore children, our intimate wedding and reception is for parents only"
  "Our ceremony is open for adults only. The reception welcomes children."
  

• Stand your ground with pushy friends and family. Explain why you felt an adult-only event was proper or that you simply were not able to accommodate all the children. If they say they won't be able to attend if they can't bring their children, respond politely but firmly.
  

  "I'm sorry that's your decision. We'll miss you."

• Be consistent. Don't make exceptions for the bridal party children, a ring bearer or a flower girl. No children means no children. Otherwise you could cause hard feelings.