Children At Wedding Reception

Wow, so many thoughtful and helpful comments here. (if you are `assuming` that was sarcasm, you are right)

If a bride wants to invite children, then why not?
Their kids, don`t expect them to sit still and enjoy the speeches. If you don`t want to be around children then stay home.
If a bride doesn`t want to, then respect her decision, don`t bring them with you. If you don`t want to attend without them, then don`t, but don`t get in a huff about it.

It really is as simple as that. Both are perfectly acceptable decisions.

Not on your invitation itself but on the reception or responce card have written in the bottom corner
Adult Reception
Hope this helps,
Cheryl

Hello
I put on the response cards that two seats have been reseved in your honor.and on the reception cards ( occasion for adults please join us for dinner and dancing)

What about people that are traveling and have to bring their kids? How do you handle parents showing up without their kids by request and others having theirs there?

What about people that are traveling and have to bring their kids? How do you handle parents showing up without their kids by request and others having theirs there?

I am truly amazed how woman get crazy when it comes to weddings.
I have been reading some of the posts, I am a bride who is having a child free reception. I have a flower girl who is three and a ring bearer who is one and being carried down the aisle by his mother. We have already discussed with them that the grandparents of both children will come by the reception and pick the children up. I know that when it comes to not having children at weddings,many mothers take this situtation personally. I know that the mothers that are coming to our wedding have taught their children not too be loud and cause problems. I just explained to the women with children that I would like a wedding reception with no children. I have yet to find a woman in my group of friends that have a problem. * Advice to brides have a chat with the families that have children before sending out invitations. This will give them ample time to find child care* Jennifer

"The couple politely requests that the reception is attended by adults only. A list of trusted and reputable babysitters in the area is provided."

My husband and daughter the flower girl were invited to a wedding reception for his cousin. I was hurt because my self and other two daughters were not invited. My husband got a call explaining that only 200 seats were reserved for the reception but we could all come to the wedding. I was so excited to go to this wedding and reception and so were my daughters ages 11 and 9. My husband is upset at me for being upset. He accused me of hating his family for being upset. Which is not true.

Though I love kids I don`t blame brides for not wanting kids at weddings. Its the potential tantrums, its the extra money, it the chaos.
I have over 26 first cousins who have children and the total of first cousins once removed is around 60. My wedding will turn into a playground and I don`t want that. At $300 dollar a plate for an adult meal to add the kids would just add an additional $18,000 now I say NO KIDS because my dream wedding will turn into a playground of children.
To the people who comment about being offended, they would even be more offended if they had to pay for their kids. I would hate to invite the woman who has 5 kids and insists she brings them I would tell her hey "each plate is $300 x5, you will need to pay for them $1,500"please. It is the Bride and grooms day...so really its this don`t go if you are offended. Just don`t. I hate guest who try to tell people who to invite.