Rhiannon Hendricks
It is possible to have an adults-only wedding reception, and it is becoming more common. In 2020, 16% of US couples had an adults-only wedding, up from 9% in 2014. There are several reasons for this, including budget, space limitations, and creating a more relaxed environment for guests to enjoy themselves. When planning an adults-only wedding, it is important to communicate this clearly and consistently to your guests from the very beginning, including on your wedding website and invitations. You can politely inform guests that children are not invited by stating something like, We know your kids are awesome, but due to space restrictions, we cannot accommodate guests under the age of 18 on our wedding day. It is also considerate to provide information about babysitting services or family-friendly attractions in the area. While some guests may be upset or unable to attend due to childcare issues, it is your wedding, and it is not unreasonable to base your plans on your vision and preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility | It is possible to have an all-adults wedding reception. |
| Etiquette | It is not considered poor etiquette to restrict a wedding to adults. |
| Communication | It is important to communicate the adult-only nature of the wedding clearly and consistently from the beginning, including on save-the-dates, invitations, and the wedding website. |
| Wording | Suggested wording for invitations includes "We respectfully request no children under 18 (or 21) at the reception" and "Please join us for an adults-only reception immediately following the ceremony." |
| Exceptions | It is generally advised not to make exceptions to the adult-only rule to avoid upsetting other guests with children. |
| Childcare | It is considerate to provide information about babysitting services or family-friendly attractions or to provide childcare at the wedding venue. |
| Budget | Having an adult-only wedding can help reduce costs. |
| Space | An adult-only wedding can help manage space limitations at the venue. |
| Environment | An adult-only wedding can contribute to creating a more relaxed and festive environment. |
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What You'll Learn
- It's not considered poor etiquette to restrict your wedding to adults
- Make your intentions clear as soon as possible, especially for those with childcare considerations
- You may still get emails or calls from guests asking to bring their children
- It's best to either invite all children or not invite any, to avoid uncomfortable situations
- If your budget allows, set aside an only children room and pay for childcare
It's not considered poor etiquette to restrict your wedding to adults
Restricting your wedding to adults is not considered poor etiquette. It is not unreasonable to base your wedding plans on your vision and preferences, as it is one of the most important days of your life. In 2020, 16% of couples in the US had an adults-only wedding, up from 9% in 2014. There are many reasons why couples choose to do this, including budget, space limitations, or the type of environment the couple hopes to create.
However, it is important to be mindful of your guests' needs and feelings. For example, if you have out-of-town guests with children, consider providing information about professional babysitting services or family-friendly attractions in the area. You could even set aside a "children-only" room and pay for childcare if your budget allows it.
When it comes to communicating your adults-only wedding, it is best to be clear and polite. Avoid writing "adults-only" or "no kids" on your invitations. Instead, address your invites to those who are invited and, if necessary, specify on your wedding website that only invited guests are allowed. You can also include a note with wording like: "We know your kids are awesome, but due to space restrictions, we cannot accommodate guests under age 18 [or whatever age rule] on our wedding day."
It is also a good idea to debrief your immediate family members and wedding party on your "no kids" rule as soon as possible. This will help to avoid any miscommunications or confusion. Expect that some guests won't understand your adults-only rule, so be firm but polite in your responses.
By communicating clearly, being polite, and doing your best to meet the needs of guests with children, you can have a successful adults-only wedding that you and your guests will remember fondly.
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Make your intentions clear as soon as possible, especially for those with childcare considerations
It is possible to have an adults-only wedding reception, and it is becoming more and more common. In 2020, 16% of U.S. couples had an adults-only wedding, up from 9% in 2014.
Making your intentions clear as soon as possible is important, especially for those guests with childcare considerations. It is best to communicate your plans before sending out invitations, to avoid any miscommunications, confusion, and hurt feelings. You can do this by word of mouth, through your wedding website, or on your save-the-date cards.
When creating your guest list, work with your partner to come up with an "age rule". Perhaps it's no guests under 16, or another age that feels appropriate. Once you make this rule, you have to stick to it. If you plan on making any exceptions, decide on them right away.
You can include a note on your wedding website to make your "no kids" rule clear. You can even have fun with the wording: "We know your kids are awesome, but due to space restrictions, we cannot accommodate guests under the age of 18 [or whatever age rule] on our wedding day."
Be prepared for some guests to become upset or agitated. You can politely respond with: "I'm very sorry, but we can't make any exceptions. We still hope you'll join us." It is a kind gesture to help your guests find childcare or provide information about babysitting services and family-friendly attractions in the area.
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You may still get emails or calls from guests asking to bring their children
It is possible to have an adults-only wedding reception, and it is becoming more common. In 2020, 16% of U.S. couples had an adults-only wedding, up from 9% in 2014. There are many reasons why a couple might choose to do this, such as budget, space limitations, or wanting to create a more formal or party-like atmosphere.
If you decide to have an adults-only wedding, it is important to communicate this clearly and consistently from the very beginning. This will give parents with children enough time to arrange childcare. You can do this by including a note on your wedding website, or by being explicit about which parts of the wedding are adults-only on your invitations and RSVP cards. For example, you could say "We respectfully request no children under 18 (or 21) at the reception", or "Please join us for an adults-only reception immediately following the ceremony".
However, even with clear communication, you may still get emails or calls from guests asking to bring their children. It is recommended that you remain firm but polite in your response. You could say something like "I’m very sorry but we can’t make any exceptions. We still hope you’ll join us". If you are able to, it is a kind gesture to help your guests find childcare. For example, you could suggest babysitting services or family-friendly attractions in the area, or even set aside a separate room or space for children and pay for childcare.
It is worth noting that some people believe that making exceptions for certain children, such as newborns, flower girls, ring bearers, or the couple's own children, can cause upset among guests. This is because it is no longer an "adult-only" wedding, and other guests may feel that they have unnecessarily incurred childcare costs. Therefore, it is important to be consistent with your rule and make your intentions clear from the start.
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It's best to either invite all children or not invite any, to avoid uncomfortable situations
It is possible to have an all-adults wedding reception. In fact, in 2020, 16% of U.S. couples had an adults-only wedding, up from 9% in 2014. There are several reasons why a couple might choose to do this, including budget, space limitations, or the type of environment the couple hopes to create.
However, it is important to consider that by having a kid-free wedding, there is a risk that some loved ones will be unable to attend due to childcare issues. It is also important to be consistent with your "no kids" rule. Making exceptions for some children and not others can upset parents and create a potentially uncomfortable situation. Therefore, it is best to either invite all children or not invite any, to avoid these uncomfortable situations.
If you do decide to have an adults-only wedding, it is important to communicate this clearly and as early as possible to your guests, beginning with your save-the-dates and wedding invitations. You can also include a note on your wedding website or RSVP cards. A polite but firm approach is best. For example, you could say, "We know your kids are awesome, but due to space restrictions, we cannot accommodate guests under the age of 18 on our wedding day."
To make things easier for parents, you could consider providing information about professional babysitting services or family-friendly attractions in the area. If your budget allows, you could even set aside a separate room or space for children and pay for childcare. This will allow parents to attend your wedding while their children enjoy supervised activities nearby.
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If your budget allows, set aside an only children room and pay for childcare
It is possible to have an all-adults wedding reception. In fact, in 2020, 16% of U.S. couples had an adults-only wedding, up from 9% in 2014.
If you're planning an adults-only wedding, it's important to be clear and consistent from the very beginning. You can communicate this through your wedding website, save-the-dates, invitations, and word of mouth. It's also a good idea to set a minimum age for guests, such as 18 or 21.
If your budget allows, consider setting aside an "only children" room and paying for childcare. This will make it easier for parents to attend your wedding and stick to your plans for a child-free celebration. You can also provide information about professional babysitting services and family-friendly attractions in the area.
- Choose a space that is separate from the main reception area but still easily accessible for parents. This could be a room in the same venue or a space nearby.
- Hire a qualified and experienced babysitter or childcare provider. You can ask for recommendations from friends or family, or look for professionals in your area.
- Provide a variety of age-appropriate activities and entertainment for the children. This could include games, crafts, books, and toys.
- Consider providing a light meal or snacks for the children, especially if they will be staying for a longer period.
- Communicate with the parents about your plans for the children's room and childcare. Let them know the details, such as the location, the childcare provider's qualifications, and the activities offered.
- Be flexible and accommodating. Understand that some parents may have specific requests or needs for their children, and try to work with them to ensure everyone is comfortable.
By providing a dedicated space and childcare for children, you can ensure that your guests with children can fully enjoy your wedding reception while respecting your wishes for an adults-only celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is possible to have an adults-only wedding reception. In fact, in 2020, 16% of U.S. couples had an adults-only wedding, up from 9% in 2014.
It is important to communicate your intentions as soon as possible, beginning with your save-the-dates and wedding invitations. You can also ask your immediate family members and wedding party to help spread the word. It is recommended to include a note on your wedding website to make your "no kids" rule clear.
While you may want to write "adults only" on your invitations, this is considered an etiquette faux pas. Instead, address your invite's envelope with the exact names of those who are invited. You can also include an inner envelope to clarify the names of the invited guests. On your wedding website, you can use wording such as: "We know your kids are awesome, but due to space restrictions, we cannot accommodate guests under the age of 18 [or whatever age rule] on our wedding day."
Experts suggest that children are an "all or nothing" deal. By making exceptions for certain children, you run the risk of upsetting the parents of those who didn't make the cut. However, some exceptions are considered more understandable, such as including flower girls, ring bearers, or the couple's own children.
Having an adults-only wedding reception can help create a more formal or party-like vibe. It can also make things easier for parents, who won't have to worry about childcare during the reception. Additionally, it may help the couple ensure relaxation and uninhibited revelry during the event.
