Off Subject~ Children at Wedding??

[Meeko]

We had a "no child under 8 years old" rule at our wedding.

I had been to a friends wedding a few months before and was so upset for her. One of the guests let her baby scream through the whole wedding ceremony...which was being recorded. Another had her toddler decide to run up and down the isle behind the bridal couple. You could not hear the vows clearly. The woman with the baby was asked to leave the church and I personally think she was a moron to let her child scream through a wedding. Her argument afterwards was she didn't want to miss it. She laughed as she said "sorry" to the bride.....as if it was no big thing. But their recording is of a screaming baby, with muffled vows in the background.

Later.....dozens of kids ran riot through the reception. Their parents wanted to visit with each other and so let the kids go with the mindset that they were "having fun", so who cares. people got tripped up, food was all over the floor......it was not the elegant wedding my friend had intended.

I came straight home and made my "no small kids" rule!!! Nobody minded at all.

[Unregistered]

It's your wedding, do what works for you. If there are people you really want there, and know they would need to bring their kids then maybe find someone to look after the children. I personally feel it's rude to bring small children and let them run rampant, etc. Weddings aren't always intended to be a family party and it's up to the bride and groom how they want the day/evening to go.

[granny04]

children at weddings

I read some of the replys to this query--all good.......

Cost is Always a factor unless you have money to burn. Providing seating and food for children who will see the event as an opportunity to "play" in a bigger venue needs consideration.
There is nothing wrong with having an "adults only" wedding. At my wedding MANY years ago--my new husband's only grandchild was allowed to run rampant in the church prior to the wedding by parents who thought she was "just the cutest".......
Just last year my son and DIL went to a wedding with thier three children. There was an incident at the hotel prior to the wedding and my son was forced to sit out the entire reception holding the middle child. His comment was "all dressed up and ......." Next wedding they hired a sitter.
If you allow children, hoping parents will see to thier behavior ,you may come away disappointed---think of how well parents "corral" their children at day care pick up time!
most parents do not see their children's behavior in an unbiased light.

The bottom line is this---IT IS YOUR WEDDING--

You don't get a "do over"

[Unregistered]

"In my opinion a wedding is a family event"

Not if the bride and groom don't see it that way.

Some people want the focus to be on the reason everyone is there. My BIL/SIL take their kids everywhere and let them do whatever they want. In SIL's opinion her kids are "super cute." Well, that's wonderful. However.. every event isn't a stage for someone's "super cute" kids.

[Meeko]

"In my opinion a wedding is a family event"

Not if the bride and groom don't see it that way.

Some people want the focus to be on the reason everyone is there. My BIL/SIL take their kids everywhere and let them do whatever they want. In SIL's opinion her kids are "super cute." Well, that's wonderful. However.. every event isn't a stage for someone's "super cute" kids.

Exactly this. I love and adore children, but I didn't want to hear a "cute" three year old yell that he wanted to go pee at the very second I was about to say "I do".:: And lets face it.....kids seem to prefer yelling in places they aren't supposed to.

In England, LDS members have to be married in the church before being sealed in the temple. So my husband and I decided to marry in England in the church and get sealed in the states in Utah. Our Utah reception was more informal and we had some younger kids there. Even so, we made a point of printing "please control your children" on the invites.

[lil angels]

Wow lots and lots of opinions and ideas here. I had my wedding and we had a good size wedding and I didn't even think of not inviting the kids. I guess I don't even think of that as an option. They are your friends and loved ones to right? A lot of the things I remember had to do with something one of those naughty kids did.

Unless I was doing a super small very elegant fri night wedding or something I don't think I could have any other way.

[itlw8]

I think it depends on what kind of reception you are having. a big dance and alcohol....late at night... children should be home.

a more casual wedding during the day then invite the children you want to come. You put their names on the invitation.

As far as the childcare if you are worried about costs. That is a biggie because each of those children come with parents.

You could invite those children to the church as that is what they want to see. Well that and cake.Maybe do a cake and punch reception at the church with kids and then an adult party later.