Inviting Children to Weddings: Pros, Cons, and Helpful Tips

Planning a wedding includes hundreds of little decisions, and one that many couples grapple with is inviting children to weddings. While some love the idea of little ones running around, getting dressed up for your wedding and the whole family being involved, others prefer an adult-only wedding day so guests can let their hair down. Either way, inviting children to weddings is inevitably something you will have to address. Often couples feel a little awkward and don’t know how to tell their guests that they have decided not to invite children, and it becomes even more awkward when the children of the bridal party and close family are invited but kids of friends and work colleagues are not. This is a decision that should be made early on and communicated clearly on your wedding invitations so guests are clear about exactly who is invited and so they can make childcare arrangements if necessary.

Pros of Inviting Children to your Wedding

1. Family-friendly atmosphere: Weddings are a family affair, and including kids can add a heartwarming, family-friendly vibe, no-one will feel excluded and you can get some great wedding photos which include the little ones.
2. Memorable moments: From tiny flower girls walking down the aisle to candid dance floor moves, inviting children to weddings can bring unforgettable moments.
3. More guests able to attend: Child care is always tricky. Some parents may prefer not to have to find childcare, while some may literally not have anyone to look after their offspring while they party at your wedding. So inviting children to weddings means that all the parents will be able to attend too.
4. Not offending guests: If all kids are invited, you don’t have to worry about offending certain guests, but don’t forget it’s your big day so be confident about what you do and don’t want on your wedding day. It’s easy to get into the habit of pleasing everyone else and keeping family happy, but it is your wedding day.

Cons of Inviting Children to your Wedding

1. Potential disruptions: Inviting children to weddings can be a little unpredictable. If you think back to when you were younger, running around, screaming and causing chaos was so much fun! Kids have a shorter attention span than adults and for younger children, sitting quietly through the ceremony may be a challenge. If they are noisy, shouting or crying, this could interrupt readings and guests may not be able to hear clearly. 
2. Budget Constraints: When it comes to your wedding menu, children’s meals are usually cheaper than adult’s but this still counts towards your headcount and can bump up the cost of your wedding considerably. 
3. Space restrictions: Think about your venue capacity and how many guests you’d like to invite. If you allow all children, and this could potentially add an extra 20 people to your numbers, this will add to your headcount. Is there enough space?
4. Event Tone: Some couples aim for a formal, adult-centric atmosphere that might not feel as cohesive with children present. If you are having a black-tie event, this might be less suitable for children, while an outdoor barn wedding might be the perfect place for kids.
5. More guests may decline: Be prepared that if you plan for an adult-only wedding, there will be certain guests that cannot come, particularly if they are invited to the ceremony and evening reception and even more so if you are planning a destination wedding.

Things to consider when Inviting Children to Weddings

1. Addressing the invitations: If some children are invited and some are not, you can personalise your invitations and have your envelopes printed with guest names to avoid confusion. 
2. How can you involve children in your wedding day: From flower girls and ring bearers to handing out confetti cones and ceremony booklets, there are lots of fun ways to incorporate children into your wedding day. Just make sure they are the appropriate age and maturity level for the task in hand!
3. Do you need a children’s menu? Most wedding venues will have an adapted wedding menu for children. Don’t forget that some teenagers may choose from the adult menu, which will increase the cost. You could also have a sweet table or dessert bar with kids’ sweet treats. 
4. Consider a wedding nanny: If your wedding budget permits, you could hire a wedding nanny, babysitter or creche to look after the little ones while parents celebrate. You should ensure they are licensed with the relevant DBS checks and from a reputable childcare firm.
5. Entertaining children at your wedding: When inviting children to weddings, having lots of fun-filled activities to keep them entertained is the way to go. From activity tables, outdoor games and treasure hunts to movie lounges and polaroid stations, there’s lots of great ideas to keep kids happily occupied at your wedding.

Wedding Invitation Wording for a Child-Free Wedding

If you decide an adult-affair is your thing, it’s best to be clear yet courteous on your invitations. Here are a few ways to word this request:

1. “We kindly request an adult-only celebration.”
2. “To allow all guests, including parents, a night of relaxation, we request that no children attend.”
3. “Please note this is an adults-only occasion.”
4. “Due to capacity restrictions, we are unfortunately unable to extend the invitation to children.”
5. “Please note: Only children of the bridal party are able to attend. We hope you understand.”

Whether you choose to include children or keep it adults-only, communicate with care, and guests will understand that your decision is made thoughtfully for your big day. If you do decide to invite children to your wedding, here are 10 fun ideas to keep children entertained throughout your day.