During the course of planning your wedding, you will need to decide whether or not to invite the children of your guests to your reception. This decision relies on a few factors, and can be a touchy subject for your family. It is important to outline and note the reasons behind your decision, understand that there are options for including kids and still having a "fun" reception, and—if you choose to host an "adults only" reception—you must exercise the necessary decorum involved in informing your parent-guests.

Adults-Only Reception

Choosing to create an adults-only environment for your big day could be done for a few reasons. The first is that in a formal setting, you may not want to worry about young ones running around when your 4-course plated meal is being served. Another big reason is that there is drinking involved during the wedding reception, and thus a reception may not be a suitable environment for entertaining children. Ultimately, it boils down to the enjoyment of your guests. You want your guests to feel free to engage with the other people in your life without worry of whether their child may be restless, tired, or cranky.

How to Break The News

If you've decided not to include children at your reception, this announcement should be noted in a few key areas. The first is on your Save the Date if you are planning a destination wedding, as parents will need to make arrangements further out from the event. The second place to mention it is on your invitation. Indicating the actual people invited and asking for an entrée choice will show the parents that there are the only two on the guest list.

The last place you need to mention your adults-only reception is on your personal wedding website. In all of these areas, the verbiage should read, "Adults-Only Reception." This is simply the nicest way to say it. You may have family members who question you, but in the end, it would also be in poor taste for them to ask for your reasoning. To refute some of the backlash of those who do ask, you can prepare a response that keeps your guests in mind. Let them know that you want them to be happy, but be firm to your vision of your reception... make it about them and you!

Bring On the Children!

The flip side to an adults-only reception is the inclusion of every guest's children. It is important to point out that being selective with this can be considered rude, unless the only children you choose to allow are bridal party participants. If you do want to allow children at your reception, you have a few options. You can have a kids' table, with all of the children at one dedicated and reserved table. The table can be fun, and it may not go along with your wedding theme, but it can keep them all occupied for 3-5 hours. This table can also be catered to each guest and include items like coloring books, dress-up attire, and toys. Another option is to hire a babysitting service. There are companies that will gather the children invited to a wedding after the ceremony and create a fun-filled activity area. They can entertain the little guests and ensure that their parents can relax, knowing that they are being cared for.

Whether you decide to invite children to your wedding reception or create an adults-only event, your guests should understand that this is the most important day of your life. Create the atmosphere of your choosing, and make an informed decision. These memories are yours to cherish for a lifetime.