Kids at your reception

What's everyone's situation with this?

The only kids I'm inviting are either in the wedding party or their sister is the wedding party.

My mother keeps asking if it's necessary to have "all these" (Six between ages 2-13) kids there..and yet feels my cousin will be upset his 2 princesses (age 5 and 2) won't be invited.

The 2 year old invited is my FH's nephew and the ring bearer and he'll be almost 3 by the wedding date, while princess 2 year old will just be turning 2.

Re: Kids at your reception

This was an issue for us, but ultimately we decided to not have children participate. We looked at it as their parents would have more fun without them. In addition, there are some unruly youngsters in my family that would literally run around and cause havoc at my wedding. It would not be fair to invite only the well-behaved children (there are a few) and not the others (there are many). I had to cut them all out. Some family members got upset but they got over it. If they don't, they don't come. JMHO.

ETA: My only niece, who is ten and a JR. bridesmaid, is the only one under 16 invited. I dare someone to make a comment...I double dog dare them!!!

Message edited 11/20/2005 11:15:06 AM.

Re: Kids at your reception

I am having no kids at mine. only bc we have about 20 between the both of us! so we are having only the fg and the rb there but they are leaving at 8:00 P.M. I invited teenagers and the youngest is 14 sooooo i hope this helps!

Re: Kids at your reception

I have 5 small children in the bridal party. Arrangements have been made to have 4 of them taken home after the cocktail hour as their parents want to enjoy their evening - their mothers are also in the bridal party. The reception will be going on until 1 am and there is no amount of celebration that can convince me that it is EVER appropriate for a 2 year old to be up until 1 am. The 5th child is my brother's son. He said he would have his nanny take him back to the hotel. Whether or not he does that, is his choice. I am not responsible for entertaining my 2 year old nephew, or changing his diaper (not potty trained yet). However, they did set up a port-a-crib for him two weeks ago at another family function and he easily slept through the DJ. There will be a handful of kids in the 12-14 age range. They are my neices and nephews and 2 cousins. They are welcome and are certainly able to stay up until 1 am on a Saturday night. They behave appropriately and that I am not concerned about.

Re: Kids at your reception

How are you addressing the invites? I do not want to invite anyone under the age of 16, the problem I have is that my aunt has 4 daughters between 12-18, how do I invite 2 but not the other 2?

Re: Kids at your reception

i would

#1 address the envelope like this:

Mr. and Mrs. Whatever, Ginger and Maryanne

#2 Call her and let her know about your over 16 policy

Re: Kids at your reception

you don't.

Re: Kids at your reception

Right thats what I thought, but when the see other 16-18 year olds there, I think my aunt and uncle will be offended that I did not invite their children.

Re: Kids at your reception

we are not having any children at our wedding.
the youngest person there will be my brother's gf who will be 24.

Re: Kids at your reception

Ahhhh...the joys of having family. You could feel it out with the family to see if they would be offended. If they would, take into consideration, the personality of the other two cousins and if they are appropriate, invite them. You have to remember there will always be people that are not satisfied with your decision. They will get over it. Otherwise, maybe consider not inviting any under 18.

Re: Kids at your reception

No children at my wedding. The only children I was thinking about inviting are my neice and nephew, I was going to put them in my wedding party, they're both under 5. Ultimately their parents (my brother and sister-in-law) decided they didn't want that, which is fine. They're both in the BP so they felt it would be too much.

Re: Kids at your reception

Why don't you want to invite a 12 year old. They are not little kids anymore, in my eyes. I remember being very upset when I wasn't invited to familys weddings, when I was that age. I think the parents would be very upset if you invited 2 kids and not the other 2.

Message edited 11/20/2005 12:02:25 PM.

Re: Kids at your reception

I would put "Adult Affair" on the invite and call her and let her know about the 16 year old cut off.

Good luck.

Re: Kids at your reception

I'm thinking about using the sundays school room in the church as the daycare for the reception for the kids that are coming to my wedding. I suggested to parents that they have their kids bring sleeping bags and pjs. I'm going to be providing a sitter.

Re: Kids at your reception

I agree that the 12 yr old would probably be fine... maybe a little bored if there are age gaps but behaviorally fine.

Re: Kids at your reception

We are NOT having kids there...I am afraid that my stupid cousin is going to assume that her bratty kids are invited as she did with my e-party

Re: Kids at your reception

We indicated

Adult Reception on our reception card! I am sure people will be pissy but hey...they will likely need a reminder despite the fact we had several conversations about children at the wedding.

Re: Kids at your reception

My cousins are the only kids around - and the youngest will be about 11. She's very well-behaved, and we're very close, so I don't anticipate any problems.

PLUS, my reception starts at 8pm anyway, so they'll probably be tired and mellow anyway.

Re: Kids at your reception

Im trying to understand why people WANT to bring young children. I guess I will never get it. Yes, family is important, but when things run late at night and since weddings are mature in nature it doesnt always seem like an appropraite place for litttle kids. Most people know that weddings are expensive to put in place. For a family (or couple) to go to the expense of having a child as a guest, a child who is too young to understand or appreciate what a wedding is, it can be a lot to ask of someone. JMO.

Re: Kids at your reception

We just did nieces nephews and first cousins. the first cousins range from 6-20, so it shouldnt be that bad. i could not imagine having my nice 3 and nephew 2 not at my wedding. they are also our rb and fg

Re: Kids at your reception

Well said...couldn;t agree more!

Re: Kids at your reception

I dont want any and he only ones who will be there are FH nephews, cause mommy/daddy wont leave them w/anyone!! They are 2 1/2 and 6 months. So I will have a stroller there....great!

I believe they shouldnt be there and why would someone want to bring their kids is weird!!!

I hope I dont have to worry about any others and not happy about even them being there.

Re: Kids at your reception

I'm one of the oldest cousins on both sides of my family (I'm 24) so I have alot of younger cousins, as does FH - so we are inviting all of our cousins independent of age (I can't imagine my reception w/o them there!)

Cousins children are not invited - unless they are OOTers (which about 1/2 are) - and no other children are invited.

Hopefully it all works out and no one is pissy that their kids aren't invited

Re: Kids at your reception

You have to wonder about people who wont leave their kids with anyone. Do they not go out at night once they have kids? Do they bar themselves inside until the kids are old enough to drive? Or is it that (and this is my theory on this) they have this need to dress their kids up and showcase them so people can fawn all over them. Any thoughts?

Re: Kids at your reception

I think that there are people who like to show off their kids especially at large family functions where some family may have never seen their kids before...I believe this is what my cousin did at my E-Party