thoughts about children guests at reception?

Original post by justinepeter

May 11, 2007 12:18 AM

My FH and I are fighting with relatives as to whether it's appropriate for children to be at an adult affair like our wedding reception. We don't believe they belong (unless they're part of the wedding party) simply because a wedding isn't a playground. We are annoyed we'll have to cave in to relatives wishes when our own aren't being respected.

soon2bmrsdunn Posted: May 11, 2007 10:37 AM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

Posted by empressdani

I love the kids but on that day its....no kids, no questions!! Sorry family

This is my motto!

Pencils Posted: May 11, 2007 10:41 AM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

It depends on the sort of wedding you're having. I would never want to exclude children from my wedding--I think weddings are about the joining of two families, and children are part of the family. Besides, we're having an afternoon reception. And I also think that children aren't wild animals and should be able to control themselves for a few hours at a party. I realize not all kids have been raised like that, but it's not too much to expect. But I can see that if you're having a black tie evening reception that it's not a place for kids. I'm a weird and old-fashioned person who thinks that kids should be home and in bed at an early hour anyway.

The point is, that it's your wedding and you make the rules. If you don't want kids, then don't have them, and don't let yourselves be bullied. However, if you make exceptions for some, it's not unreasonable for guests to take offense that you're not allowing their kids too. You can't have it both ways and expect people to be happy about it.

iwannabmrsD Posted: May 11, 2007 10:51 AM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

shoot we gonna have so many kids we could've skipped crest hollow and had the reception at chuck e cheese..

and i wouldnt want it any other way.. i love having hte kids at the wedding.. dancing around and laughing.. i wish i could afford a veneitian hour so they can over eat candy and then go home with their parents at 12am high off sugar.. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH ... (evil laugh) that'll be a kick..

Pinkiegirll07 Posted: May 11, 2007 10:55 AM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

Posted by iwannabmrsD

shoot we gonna have so many kids we could've skipped crest hollow and had the reception at chuck e cheese..

and i wouldnt want it any other way.. i love having hte kids at the wedding.. dancing around and laughing.. i wish i could afford a veneitian hour so they can over eat candy and then go home with their parents at 12am high off sugar.. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH ... (evil laugh) that'll be a kick..

jsta76 Posted: May 11, 2007 10:59 AM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

I agree I don't think its really appropriate but sometimes you don't have a choice.

I think there will be5 kids at our wedding. One is my nephew who will be 2 at the wedding. I've given my sister the option of whether or not she wants to bring him,I want to at least have some pictures with him but we can probably do that in the morning before everything starts. He's too young to be the ring bearer so we are not having one.

FH has two first cousins one is 16 one is 11 maybe older. The other 2 are out of town cousins who are under 5 so we don't have to pay for em.

ILOVEBRIAN2008 Posted: May 11, 2007 08:31 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

we are going to have children at our wedding..we are both close to our little cousins so we couldnt imagine not having them be there

portjeffbride Posted: May 11, 2007 08:48 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

I dunno. I think kids are fine. our kid range will be 2-11 years. There's so much going on that no one will notice them! Besides, to us, they're members of the family, and should be there on our special day.

We're providing a play area with toys in the far corner of the hall, which had lots of windows, and views of the docks, so they can look at the boats.

I would agree that kids hsouldn't be at a reception starting at 8pm or later... simply becuase they'll be tired and cranky. But an earlier reception is ok....

Danacm80 Posted: May 11, 2007 09:23 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

We're having first cousins and my nephew MAY come to the reception.. my sister isn't really sure yet... he is really the only small baby (6 months on wedding date)... as long as they are immediate relatives.. i don't see a problem.

Summer07Bride Posted: May 11, 2007 09:54 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

We are not inviting any very young children not because we do not want to, but because we do not have too many young ones in our family. the youngest is ten, with the exception of my new cousin who is 2 months and will not be invited.

MyLobster Posted: May 11, 2007 09:55 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

not having kids at the reception but our families agree

miss nee Posted: May 11, 2007 10:02 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

You really would think that most parents would look forward to a night out w/out the kids... But noo these idiots .. wanna live it up drink a bit while the kids run rampid for 4 hrs .. I SAY NOW AND FOREVER >> HELL NO

DiamondPipa Posted: May 12, 2007 04:28 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

Posted by miss nee

You really would think that most parents would look forward to a night out w/out the kids... But noo these idiots .. wanna live it up drink a bit while the kids run rampid for 4 hrs .. I SAY NOW AND FOREVER >> HELL NO

i agree....NO KIDS FOR ME...except the ones that are in the wedding.....

drpepper318 Posted: May 12, 2007 04:40 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

I'm having kids at the wedding but just a few... definitely less than ten kids... and the youngest I think is like 9 yrs old.

LBride Posted: May 12, 2007 05:50 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

we had only our FG and RB there and they were tired by the time they got to the reception. I didn't want a wedding where kids where dancing and being crazy on the dance floor, but some people like that and think it's fun. It's up to you, not pushy relatives!

Kelly79 Posted: May 12, 2007 05:51 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

Posted by LaurenluvsTJ

we had children at our wedding, between the ages of 5-15. They were my FG, RB, and my cousins. I had no problem with them being there at all. Bringing small babies might be innapropriate, but I honestly don't see the problem with children. It was a blast to watch them dance and have fun.

I agree! I have a HUGE FAMILY with lots of younger reltives.

CrisiDrue Posted: May 12, 2007 06:17 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

I think you should do whatever you want. I agree that it's your wedding & the guests don't have a say, and they should respect your decision and not question it.

I have 3 FG & 1 RB, and they are invited to the wedding, along with their siblings. And anyone invited from out of town will be invited with their children also, b/c I wouldn't expect them to come w/o their children. They're not going to leave them at home for a few days to come to NY for a wedding. But that's it. For everyone that is invited w/ their children, I am going to put a little note in with their invitation letting them know that I've hired a babysitter for the children that are too young to be at the reception or for the OOT parents that don't want their kids there. It works out great b/c the Fox Hollow has the Inn next door (that's a big reason why we booked FH)

08JulyBride Posted: May 16, 2007 12:11 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

I will be having kids at my wedding (not by choice) and I have 2 main fears that I've seen happen at other weddings with the same kids:

1) kids and a small handful of their parents taking over the dance floor to the point no other guests get up to dance.

2) the damn pajamas!!! I went to a wedding (black tie) with kids and once it hit like 9 or 10pm, the sponge bob pajamas made their appearance on the dancefloor between the gowns and tuxedos...

Oh the horror!!! I was mortified at the thought that this could be my future!

MushesGirl Posted: May 16, 2007 08:03 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

Posted by miss nee

You really would think that most parents would look forward to a night out w/out the kids... But noo these idiots .. wanna live it up drink a bit while the kids run rampid for 4 hrs .. I SAY NOW AND FOREVER >> HELL NO

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! i agree 100%! All my friends know I don't like kids in the best of times! much less at my wedding! so most of them already knew not to even ask lol.

Luvbsb4eva Posted: May 16, 2007 08:10 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

I agree... the only child at my wedding will be the flower girl! Don't get me wrong... I love kids, I just don't want a bunch of them running around the reception room doing god knows what... my reception is not a playground!

th24s Posted: May 16, 2007 08:26 PM

Re: thoughts about children guests at reception?

Posted by jny4eva

I completely agree with you. I don't know what is the deal with people wanting to bring children to wedding's. The only children we're having at ours are either the bridal party or our nieces and nephews but that is it. I know some people might get upset about it but I personally don't care.

I agree.