Does anyone else agree small children do not belong at the wedding reception. I see it as being disruptive. How do I handle that with family members Even the band I saw yesterday agreed with me. They said the've seen kids get hurt by being knocked down.
Thrilled
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Re: Small children at reception
This is a very popular topic on this board - you may be able to do a search and read over (like enter 'kids at reception' in your search thingie and some stuff will pop up.) We seem to be fairly evenly divided on this board - some girls are not having them and some are and both sides have strong feelings about it. I can tell you that we are not having children and it has caused some hurt feelings, but it can't be helped. Just be sure to stick to your guns once you have made the decision and don't waffle. I had a huge screaming fight about it with my cousin two weeks ago and she's pi$$ed at me, but I'm sorry - it's not her wedding, it's ours. Our decision not to include children was primarily financial because there are about 20 kids under 10 between the two of us - and we also wanted an adult reception with no screaming kids running all over, and we wanted our adult friends and relatives to relax in an adult atmosphere.
OctBride03
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Re: Small children at reception
I suggest not mentioning it. I mean discuss it with your parents and your FIL's this way if anyone asks them they can answer for you, rather than that being something else you will have to worry about. I am having a few children in the wedding, so they will be at the reception.
However, I went to a wedding on Saturday and there were a few kids there as guests as well as in the bridal party. TWO children in particular kept getting in the way during the cocktail hour! And FH and I were getting so annoyed. It's all up to you. Whichever way you handle it, people need to respect your wishes, although, that's always easier said than done.
Just a little input from me! Good luck!
dgtlsunshine
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Re: Small children at reception
You know I guess because I do not have children is why I do not understand WHY one would want to bring a little child to a wedding. I mean that just seems so distracting to me.
nrvbrd
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Re: Small children at reception
Hi.
I am a believer in no kids at the reception. I will only have 3- 2 of them are in the wedding.
I do NOT want a bunch of children running around at MY wedding. Also, it is costly enough as it is, I cannot see paying for food that the kids will not eat.
WithThisRing
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Re: Small children at reception
No small children. FI has 2 small cousins and at his aunts wedding (there mother) the youngest decided he didnt like wearing his tux and ran under a table, took his clothes off and then was running around the entire reception nekkid.
OH HELL NO!! I want no nekkid kids at my wedding
NovemberSue
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Re: Small children at reception
We didn't invite any children except immediate family (like my nephews).
kptoys
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Re: Small children at reception
I love kids!!! I can't wait to have them at my reception. They are part of my family or my close friends kids. I have a VERY WELL BEHAVED 6 month old and if someone told me she couldnt come to a reception I would think twice about going! I guess thats why I am having a daytime wedding... I actually could have had the 6-12AM reception but I changed my mind because of all the kids that would be there!! Another bonus they usually do some really cute things and they are usually either free or 1/2 price. JMO
ChristineC68
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Re: Small children at reception
If it didn't mean so much to my DH, I would have had no kids at all but we had his 3 nieces and nephew at the wedding ages 6-10. We arranged for them to have kids meals which were half price and they were surprisngly well behaved.
I don't think a wedding is a place for very young children - IMO.
Paiz
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Re: Small children at reception
We aren't having any children at our reception either, except for the FG and the RB. We'd rather have the adult atmosphere as well, but you have to do what is best for you and your situation.
ddunne23
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Re: Small children at reception
This one was of my biggest worries about my wedding. We had to have 5 kids all under age 6 at my wedding (husbands niece and nephews). They are wild kids normally, but at our wedding they were perfect! I had a little crayon and coloring book gift for each of them waiting at their reception table and honestly I didn't notice them all night. Plus it was a long day, they got tired and were sleeping three hours into the reception. So my advice would be if you have to have the kids don't stress about it. I did and everything worked out great. Kids clam up when they are in a room with hundreds of people they don't know! All the sudden they were all shy kids!
Ronnie&Theresa
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Re: Small children at reception
Even the children in my bridal party are leaving after they are announced....
And if anyone in either side of our family has a problem with it then they can stay home as well..
IMO children aren't ment for a wedding reception!
MaryK
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Re: Small children at reception
This has been one of the biggest issues to date for FH and I - with his family at least. We decided we were not having small children at our wedding and, like Theresa, the FG and RB will leave after they are annouced.
It's a personal decision - one that you and FH have to make - and no one else! Its my affirmation now - thanks to everyone on here!
Licia
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Re: Small children at reception
I say this...A wedding is supposed to be a day to celebrate and have a great time with out worring about children running around falling down, tripping people...children are a blessing to be around...but at a wedding...i don't thing so. See we have 2 nieces and 1 nephew...thats all that will be there. I am not going to invite 'and Family' I can't see my receptionwith screaming kids running around...My worst fear...My cake falling b/c a kid ran into the table. I discussed with my parents and they agree no small childred. I the child is old enough to sit (10 and older) and behave they are more than welcome to come...
radiostar
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Re: Small children at reception
I guess that I could understand where you all are coming from . . . .but, once you have children of your own . . .you will probably feel differently. I have a daughter who is 7. What kind of parent would I be if I were to allow her to run all over the place at a reception? Children are usually reflections of their parents. If the parent of a child would allow them to run like wild maniacs during a reception, what does that say about the parent?
I can understand where you're coming from . . .but on the other hand, I disagree. We have about 30 children in the family . . .and they ARE indeed, a part of the family.
I will have a child entertainer in another room of the reception hall. If you can include them, by all means, please do.
**LOL @ the NECKKID kid!!!**
dgtlsunshine
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Re: Small children at reception
Well yes it depends on the parents. My husband and I were at a wedding where some kids almost knocked down the cake. They destroyed the cake table by the way. The thing was the groom had to handle the kids. The parents never came forward and discipline them or anything. Some parents when they go to events they just leave the kids to play and do whatever while some parents would never tolerate something like that. I know I have attended weddings as a child and my mother did not allow me to run all over the place. Which is why I hated weddings and would request not to go most of the time.
blushingbride2003
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Re: Small children at reception
I'm having children but there aren't that many. I think having children makes a wedding all the more special, especially if they're part of the family. But I do understand there are a few who are not well behaved, but I've never been at a wedding where there were wild kids running around.
charliesgirl
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Re: Small children at reception
I am also having children at my wedding. Already 3 couples have said they aren't bringing their children b/c they want to be able to have fun without running around and chasing after the kids.
I am also having two flowergirls so I can't say no to someone bringing their kids.
WishCandy
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Re: Small children at reception
This has been an ongoing dispute btwn. my fi and I - all I can say is that I'm not backing down from this. The children in his family are so wild and no one disciplines them. The grown-ups think everything the kids do are cute... And I will be ****ed if I will have that kind of crap going on at my wedding. I say stick to your guns - if you're this adamant about it then that should be it. And don't worry about making your guests happy because you will never be able to make each and everyone happy. Someone will always say something about one thing or another. So, just worry about making yourself happy. Good Luck
NIHA
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Re: Small children at reception
It's obviously a personal decision, and I definitely say you should do what you and FH want since it's your wedding. For us, we wanted a very intimate gathering with our closest friends and family (just over 60 people), which includes our 10 neices and nephews, who mean the world to us. We couldn't have imagined our wedding without them. Of course, it made it a lot easier since it was an afternoon wedding. I think that if we had a night wedding our opinion would have been different.
