just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

I'm not really asking whether or not kids should be invited...I am already way passed that.

But, one of my aunts declined. I think it's because I didnt' extend an invite to her 2 children (I haven't seen her oldest child since she was a baby, and I've never met the younger child.) I realize that they're my first cousins, but I really don't know them. I think they are around 13 and 11 years old.

So, I am just wondering if any of you have had guests decline because their kids weren't invited.

If so, how old were the kids?

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

not yet..but I know I'll have more than a few on both sides of the family. I wish I could invite all the kids, but it just doesn't make sense to me to invite someone who I haven't seen in years over someone who is in my life now because we share relatives....maybe I'm being harsh, but I have been excluded from weddings in the past b/c of my age, I never ever took it personal, just as an economical decison....if I'm not close why would I feel entitled?

ages range from 2yrs old to 18yrs old

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

My cousin didn't invite kids when she got married, but I don't think that anyone didn't come.

That said, my uncle was VERY insulted that his children weren't invited. I have two age groups of cousins, some are a lot younger. His three children were in elementary school when she got married. She and her DH paid for the wedding. Only a small bit of it were paid for by her mother. (parents divorsed) To this day my uncle STILL brings it up.

(Personally, I think he needs to get over it and get a life, but what can you do? No one see much of him anyway since he lives in VA)

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

I am having kids at my reception BUT I know for a fact if I werent going to there would be a few declines on both sides. Honestly I dont blame them... I dont feel comfortable leaving my son with a babysitter and I dont expect anyone else to do the same. The only people that these guests leave their children with are the grandparents... who will all be at the wedding as well. They take their kids to every single family event and I have never seen a temper tantrum or running around or mis behaving at all. half the time I dont even know they are there!

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

there may be some at mine. we are not sure yet. there will be kids at the wedding because my fi has tons of nieces and nephews who are invited. but that is where we drew the line so cousins children weren't invited. we'll see what happens...we sent out save the dates a year in advance so hopefully people will make arrangements....we shall see...

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

I had someone not come to my shower for that reason and she told my mother she wouldn't be coming to the wedding either. My honest reaction? STAY HOME!!

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

I'm getting married on Mother's day and not having kids so I KNOW there will be some declines but I really didn't want 20 kids (ages 1-7) running around the wedding. I'm hoping most people understand that but.....

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

i didnt invite kids to my reception and my cousin wouldnt have come if she couldnt bring her daughter so she just brought her uninvited

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

we had one couple decline because they 'couldn't find a sitter' for that day. Meanwhile the one kid is around 14, and the other might be 10 (it's FMIL's cousin and kids). You're going to tell me these kids can't be home alone for a few hours?? I was a latchkey kid at 10 years old!!!

We think it's total BS because they made a fuss about kids not being invited.... TOO BAD!!

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

I didn't have anybody decline, however we were 'spoken to ' about not inviting 2 of fi cousins. They are young teenagers and my fi was never close with them. They were a little insulted about being left out, so in the end we did extend an invitation. It took them 2 weeks to get back to us and only one is coming!!

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

They are coming but I heard they were very upset! They're lucky they didn't tell me directly because I would have said - If you don't like it, stay home

The majority of the parents are happy that they will have a night out w/o the kids.

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

I hope they do exactly that. FH has a LOT of little cousins that i don't even know

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

Two did but not out of 'well I can't bring my child so I'm not coming'. One is my cousin's girlfriend and she's never left their son with any one other than his grandmother and aunt and uncle (my other cousins) and they're all coming to the wedding. He's a bit rambunctious and she doesn't want to leave him with anyone he doesn't know that day. So she isn't coming but my cousin is.

Then I have a friend who just had a baby 1.5 weeks ago and she isn't coming because she just gave birth. But by the time the wedding arrives the baby will be 5.5 weeks old. I actually don't see why she can't come, but I don't think she wants to pump into bottles for her mom to give to the baby (she's breastfeeding). Whatever....I'm kinda bummed but if that's how she feels then whatever.

I have a friend that has 3 kids and a preemie that was born 3 or 4 weeks ago and she's coming with her husband...so it totally depends on the person.

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

FSIL threatened not to come if we didn't invite her 3yo.
Unfortuntley, we gave in. Now she's bringing a BABYSITTER as her guest so she doesn't have to watch the kid she refuses to leave home!

I wish we would've stuck to our guns in the first place, it would've saved me alot of grief.

If people declined because they couldn't bring their kids, thats their perogative.

Re: just wondering...did any of you have guests decline because you wouldn't allow their kids at the reception?

I was wondering the same thing about mine..We're having my niece and nephew and FI's cousins kids..there are only 3,. ON my side, there are about 20 young kids, so I am not inviting them. I also did the STD's addressed to just MR. & Mrs. hoping that they will get the hint...But i have a strong feeling that some will not come..
What will be even more interesting is when my cousins come to the wedding and they see the other kids there...
Oh well...i do feel bad, but i dont want 25 kids at my wedding!