Invitation Ettiquette

The correct way to address the children issue is when addressing the invitations list only the names of adults. When a couple invites "Mr. And Mrs. John Doe and Family" that invites the entire family. But if it is addressed to "Mr. And Mrs. John Doe", that should give your guests the hint. The American Wedding offers online step-by-step help and representatives that are trained in wedding etiquette. They are a big help when referring to invitation etiquette.

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I agree with Bethany. The proper way to do it is with the way you address your envelopes. Unfortunately, not so many people understand what that means or care enough to see it. There is a huge debate on here on whether or not you can print Adults only reception. I don`t see anything wrong with it.
I wish I had printed it on mine. Instead, with everything else a bride has to do in the weeks before the big day, I had to make 30 phone calls telling people that basically they are jerks because they didn`t bother to read the envelope. I received alot of declines where they had already accepted and/or high atitudes becasue their children were not included. And i was also told by more than 1/2 of the offending parties that it would have been easier had it been printed. Not everyone knows the etiquitte anymore.
If your parents and your future in laws have no problem with it, PRINT IT on the invite. You will save yourself (and your guests) alot of time, heartache, and embarassment later on.

I agree with Bethany, but unfortunately there are stiil stupid people out there. My cousin was invited to my daughters wedding as Mr and Mrs _____. But she sent her RSVP back as the couple and 4 screaming Brats. Any advice on how to handle this would be helpful.

I agree with you honey and I would include an insert with your invitations that reads babysitting services will be provided for children under the age of say 12 or will be available at the hotels for out of town families. Wedding costs are so expensive , so small children could understandably be excluded from a formal reception. Not to mention it may be past their bedtime while most of it is going on. If you want, invite them to the wedding ceremony. Atleast some of the moms and dads will be relieved to leave them with a sitter.