Declining Children's Attendance At Your Wedding: Wording Your Invite

Planning a wedding is no easy feat, and creating the guest list can be a tricky task. While it's normal to want to invite everyone you know and love, sometimes it's just not feasible. One way to cut down on numbers is to opt for an adults-only reception. If you're worried about offending your guests by imposing a no-kids rule, there are some polite and effective ways to communicate your request.

Firstly, it's important to state your wishes clearly and early on. You could add a section to your wedding website, or mention it on your save-the-dates, so friends and family can plan accordingly. When it comes to the invites, address them only to the members of the household who are invited. You could also include a note at the bottom of your invitations or the RSVP card, such as Please note this will be an adults-only celebration.

It's also a good idea to specify the age group that won't be attending, as kids is a broad term. You could say something like We respectfully request no children under 18 at the reception.

Remember, it's your wedding, so don't be afraid to set boundaries and stick to them!

'No Kids' Wording Ideas for Invitations

No Kids Wording Ideas for Invitations

If you're planning a wedding, you may be considering whether or not to invite children. This can be a tricky decision, especially if you have guests with children. If you've decided not to include kids in your celebration, it's important to communicate this clearly and respectfully to your guests. Here are some creative and polite ways to indicate a "no kids" policy on your wedding invitations:

Be Direct and Clear:

• "Adults-only reception to follow."
• "Please note that this will be an adults-only celebration."
• "Adult (21 and older) reception to follow."
• "We respectfully request no children under 18 at the reception."
• "The bride and groom request an adults-only reception."
• "Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate children. Thank you for your understanding."
• "Please celebrate with us at an adults-only reception immediately following the ceremony."
• "Although we love your little ones, this is an adult-only affair."

Mention Space or Budget Constraints:

• "Due to limited venue space, adults only please."
• "Due to budget/space limitations, we are unable to extend the invitation to children."
• "Although we adore your children, due to budget and space constraints, we ask that only adults attend."
• "Regrettably, our chosen venue is unable to accommodate children. Professional babysitting will be provided at the hotel."

Offer a Lighthearted Spin:

• "We love your kids, but thought you might like a night off. Adults only, please!"
• "To allow all wedding guests, including parents, a night of relaxation and revelry, we respectfully ask that no children attend."
• "We hope you'll understand our decision to make the wedding children-free, and take the opportunity to celebrate in style!"

Specify Age Limits:

• "Children of immediate family only, please."
• "Respectfully, an adult occasion (18+). Infants under 12 months are welcome."
• "Unfortunately, we are only able to accommodate children in the wedding party at our reception."
• "We wish we could include all children but are only able to invite immediate family."

Add a Custom Card or Note:

• "Leave the kiddos at home! While we adore your children, our venue doesn't have room for little ones. Please make it a date night, and we can't wait to celebrate with you!"
• "One small request, dearest friends and family: our wedding ceremony and reception are adults-only. We thank you for respecting this request and look forward to seeing you!"
• "Although we love to watch children run and play, this is going to be an adults-only kind of day."
• "Due to restrictions at our venue, children under the age of 16 are unable to attend."

Remember, it's essential to communicate your "no kids" policy clearly and respectfully. You may also want to consider adding a section to your wedding website and reiterating the request through your RSVP cards. By giving your guests ample notice, they can plan accordingly and ensure your special day is enjoyable for everyone!

How to Politely Say 'No Children'

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to navigating the guest list. If you've decided not to invite children to your wedding, it's important to communicate this to your guests in a polite and respectful manner. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to do this:

Be Clear and Direct:

Communicate your wishes clearly and directly to avoid any confusion. You can add a section to your wedding website mentioning that you prefer a child-free event, allowing guests with children to plan accordingly. Reinforce this message through your invitations. Address the invites only to the adult members of the household, and consider including a note at the bottom of the invitation or RSVP card that explicitly states your request for an adult-only celebration.

Specify the Age Group:

Since the term "kids" can be broad, specify the age group that won't be attending. Some couples define "kids" as under 18, while others refer to those younger than 21. Be clear about this demographic on your wedding website and invitations to avoid any misunderstandings.

Avoid Personal Reasons:

Refrain from citing personal reasons or singling out specific children. This may come across as offensive to their parents. Instead, use respectful wording that applies to all guests with children.

Offer Alternatives for Wedding Party Members:

If you plan to include flower girls or ring bearers in your wedding party, touch base with their parents about what will happen after the ceremony. Offer to pay for a babysitter to watch them during the reception or specify that they are invited to the ceremony only.

Suggested Wording:

When it comes to the wording on your invitations and website, here are some polite and direct phrases to consider:

• "Adults-only reception to follow."
• "We respectfully request an adult-only celebration."
• "Although we adore your children, due to venue restrictions, we kindly ask that our celebration remain adults-only."
• "We respectfully request no children at our wedding celebrations. We hope you understand and can still join us on our special day."
• "We love your kids, but we thought you might like a night off. Adults only, please!"
• "To allow all wedding guests, including parents, a night of relaxation, we politely request no children."
• "Due to limited venue space and budget constraints, we kindly request an adult-only reception."
• "We love your children, but due to restricted numbers, we regretfully cannot accommodate them at the venue. We hope you can still join us."

Handling Pushback:

Most guests will understand and respect your wishes, but be prepared for potential pushback. If a guest declines your invitation due to the no-kids stipulation, consider making an exception for close friends or family members by offering babysitting services. If a guest asks for an exception, kindly stick to your rule and recommend babysitting options.

Be Firm but Compassionate:

Remember, it's your special day, and it's okay to set boundaries. Be firm in your decision while also showing compassion and understanding towards your guests with children.

Plan Ahead:

Let your guests know about your adult-only preference as early as possible, especially if your wedding is a destination wedding or requires travel. This gives parents ample time to arrange childcare and make the necessary plans.

By following these guidelines, you can confidently communicate your request for a child-free wedding while maintaining a polite and respectful tone.

Ways to Request an Adults-Only Wedding

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to navigating the guest list. If you've decided that you don't want children at your wedding, it's important to communicate this to your guests in a clear and respectful manner. Here are some ways to politely request an adults-only wedding:

Be Direct and Specific

When communicating your adults-only request, it's best to be direct and specific. Avoid using vague language or assuming that your guests will understand without a clear indication. You can include a simple sentence on your wedding invitation, such as "Adults-only reception" or "Adult reception to follow." This will help set expectations for your guests from the beginning.

Address the Invitations Properly

A subtle way to indicate that children are not invited is to address the invitations only to the adults in the household. Use outer and inner envelopes, with the outer envelope addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sullivan" and the inner envelope addressed to "Mike and Annie." This way, it's clear that only the named individuals are invited.

Provide a Note or Card

Consider including a separate note or card along with your invitation to explain your request. This can be a polite and respectful way to convey your wishes. For example:

• "Please note that this will be an adults-only celebration."
• "We respectfully request no children under 18 at the reception."
• "Although we love your children, we regretfully cannot accommodate them due to limited venue space."
• "We love your kids, but we thought you might like a night off. Adults only, please!"

Update Your Wedding Website

If you have a wedding website, this can be a great platform to communicate your adults-only request. Add a section to your website mentioning that you're having a kids-free wedding, so friends and family can plan accordingly. You can also provide more detailed information, such as venue restrictions or your desire to create a specific ambiance for your celebration.

Be Clear About the Age Limit

Specify the age group that won't be attending your wedding. While some couples define "kids" as under 18, others refer to those under 21. Be consistent in your communication to avoid confusion. You can include this information on your wedding website and invitations.

Handle Pushback Gracefully

Remember that some guests may express disappointment or ask for exceptions. It's important to remain firm and polite in your response. If a close friend or family member is unable to attend due to the no-kids stipulation, consider offering a compromise, such as recommending a babysitter or providing childcare options.

Remember, it's your wedding, and you are allowed to set the rules. Communicating your adults-only request in a respectful and timely manner will help ensure that your guests understand your wishes and can plan accordingly.

How to Tell Guests That You're Not Having Kids at Your Wedding

Deciding not to invite kids to your wedding is a perfectly valid choice. Communicating this to your guests in a polite and effective way can help you avoid offending anyone. Here are some tips and wording suggestions to help you inform your guests that your wedding will be a child-free event:

Make Your Request Early and Clear

Inform your guests about your decision as early as possible. You can add a section to your wedding website mentioning that you're having a child-free wedding, so friends and family can plan accordingly. You should also reiterate this request through your invitations. Address your invites only to the members of the household who are invited, and consider including a note at the bottom of your invitations or the RSVP card to be clear about your request.

Specify the Age Group

Since "kids" is a broad term, specify the age group that won't be attending. Some couples define "kids" as under 18, while others refer to those younger than 21. Clearly state this demographic on your wedding website and invitations to avoid any confusion.

Avoid Citing Personal Reasons

Avoid making your request about any specific child or children. Singling out a child may make the parent defensive and hurt. Instead, use wording that is respectful and applies to the general population of your friends and family's children.

Examples of Wording to Use

• "Adults only" or "Adults-only reception" on the invitation.
• "Due to the limited capacity of our venue, we are only able to extend an invitation to adult guests." on the wedding website.
• "Though we'd love to see your children, we have decided to have an adults-only affair. We hope that with this notice, you will be able to make arrangements and attend our wedding."
• "We love your kids, but you deserve a night out! This wedding is for adults only!"
• "We are very sorry, but we are keeping our special day as an adult-only occasion. We will not be able to invite children to our wedding, but we hope you will still be able to attend."
• "We respectfully request no children at our wedding celebrations. We hope you understand and can still join us on our special day."
• "Although we love your little ones, this is an adult-only affair."
• "We are very sorry, but due to space restrictions at our venue, we cannot accommodate children. We hope you understand and can still join us."
• "Unfortunately, we are only able to accommodate children in the wedding party at our reception."
• "We respectfully request no children under 18 at the reception."
• "Please note this will be an adults-only celebration."

Wedding Invitation Etiquette When Not Inviting Children

Planning your dream wedding is exciting, but it can also be stressful. One of the many decisions you'll need to make is whether or not to invite children. If you've decided on an adult-only celebration, here are some tips and suggestions for communicating this politely and effectively to your guests.

Be Clear and Direct

When it comes to addressing your invitations, be clear and direct. While it's generally not recommended to explicitly state "adults only" or "no children" on the invitation itself, you can subtly convey the message through other means. One approach is to focus on how you address the envelopes. Only those listed on the inner envelope are invited to the wedding, so make sure the outer envelope is addressed only to the adults. For example:

Outer Envelope: Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sullivan

Inner Envelope: Mike and Annie

Choose Your Wording Carefully

If you want to include a more explicit indication that children are not invited, consider adding a note at the bottom of your invitations or on the RSVP card. Here are some examples of polite and respectful wording:

• "Please note this will be an adults-only celebration."
• "Adult (21 and older) reception to follow."
• "We respectfully request no children under 18 at the reception."
• "The bride and groom request that this be an adults-only reception."
• "Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate children. Thank you for your understanding."
• "Please celebrate with us at an adults-only reception immediately following the ceremony."
• "Although we love your little ones, this is an adult-only affair."

If you have limited space or budget constraints, you can also mention this in your wording:

• "Due to limited venue space, adults only please."
• "Due to budget/space limitations, we are unable to extend the invitation to children."
• "Although we adore your children, due to budget/space constraints, we ask that only adults attend."

Specify the Age Group

Be clear about the age group that isn't invited. While some couples define "kids" as under 18, others refer to those under 21. Specify the demographic on your wedding website and invitations to avoid any confusion.

Make Your Request Early

It's important to communicate your wishes early on. Consider adding a section to your wedding website mentioning that you're having a child-free wedding, so guests can plan accordingly. This gives parents time to arrange childcare if needed.

Avoid Personal Reasons

Avoid citing personal reasons for not inviting children, as this may come across as offensive to some guests. Instead, keep your wording respectful and applicable to all guests.

Be Prepared for Some Parents to Decline

Not all parents may be able to attend a child-free wedding, especially if it's inconvenient for them to be away from their children. Respect their decision and don't take it personally.

Offer Alternatives or Exceptions

If you have flower girls or ring bearers, touch base with their parents about what will happen after the ceremony. Offer to pay for a babysitter to watch them during the reception, or specify that they are only invited to the ceremony.

In summary, when it comes to wedding invitation etiquette for not inviting children, be clear, direct, and respectful in your communication. Give guests ample notice, avoid personal reasons, and be prepared for some parents to decline the invitation. With thoughtful consideration and planning, you can ensure your special day goes smoothly and as you envisioned.

Frequently asked questions