Wedding Invite Wording: No Kids Allowed, Please

Planning your dream wedding and want a child-free celebration? It can be tricky to know how to politely word this on your invitations. Here are some tips and examples to help you inform your guests that children are not invited.

Where to put 'no kids' on a wedding invite

Deciding on a child-free wedding can be a tricky topic, and it's important to communicate your wishes to guests clearly and considerately. Here are some suggestions for where to put the "no kids" information on your wedding invitations:

• Additional Details or Guest Information Card: This is a discrete yet visible place for your "no kids" message. It allows you to include the information without making it the centrepiece of the main invitation. You could use wording such as “Regrettably, we are unable to accommodate children unless they are named on the invitation."
• Response or RSVP Card: You can add a line like "We have reserved ___ seats for you at the reception" or "___ adults would love to attend; ___ regrettably cannot." This approach makes it clear who is invited and how many seats are reserved for each guest or group of guests.
• Envelope Addressing: You can be direct by addressing the outer envelope with the names of those invited, excluding children. If you use an inner envelope, include the titles and last names of each invited guest. This method ensures that guests with children understand that only the listed individuals are invited.
• Wedding Website: Creating a wedding website is a great way to share additional details and information that may not fit on the invitation itself. You can include a note about your adult-only celebration in the FAQ section or under important wedding info. This approach is especially useful if you want to recommend babysitting or childcare options for guests with children.
• Phone Calls: If you feel it's necessary, you can call guests with children to explain your decision and address any concerns they may have. This personal approach can help avoid misunderstandings and show that you value their presence at your wedding.

• "We kindly request this be an adult-only wedding."
• "Please note that this is an adults-only celebration."
• "We respectfully request no children under the age of 16/18 at the reception."
• "Our venue has a strict no-under-18s policy, so we are unable to welcome children to the wedding."
• "We regret that due to cost restrictions, we are only able to invite over-18s to our wedding."
• "We respectfully request no children at our wedding celebrations. We hope you understand and can still join us on our special day."

Wording ideas for 'no kids' invites

Wording Ideas for No-Kids Invites

It's your wedding, and you can set the rules! However, it's essential to choose your words carefully when conveying your wishes to avoid ruffling any feathers. Here are some ideas for politely and directly communicating that children are not invited to your wedding:

Be Clear and Direct:

• "Adults-only affair."
• "We kindly request an adult-only wedding."
• "Please note that this is an adults-only celebration."
• "We respectfully request no children under the age of [insert age]."
• "This invitation is extended to adults only."
• "We respectfully advise this is an adult-only event."
• "We politely request no children attend the ceremony and reception. Thank you in advance for understanding."
• "We regret that we are unable to invite children to the wedding, but we hope you can still attend."

Address the Limitations:

• "Unfortunately, we are only able to accommodate the children in the wedding party at our reception."
• "Whilst we love little ones, we kindly request a child-free wedding."
• "We love your children, but due to space restrictions, we cannot accommodate guests under the age of [insert number]."
• "Our venue has a strict no-under-18s policy, so we are unable to welcome children to the wedding."
• "Due to budget constraints, we are only able to invite guests over the age of 18."
• "Unfortunately, we cannot host any children at our wedding. We appreciate your understanding."

Light-Hearted Approach:

• "Although we love to see children laugh and play, our wedding will be an adult-only kind of day."
• "We thought you would like the night off! Get ready for an adults-only wedding."
• "To give all our guests the opportunity to celebrate without worry, we politely request no children."

On Your Response/RSVP Card:

• "We have reserved ___ seats for you at the reception."
• "___ adults would love to attend; ___ regrettably, we are unable to."
• "Please respect our wishes for a child-free wedding/ceremony/reception."

Remember, it's essential to inform your guests about your no-kids request as soon as possible to give them time to make childcare arrangements. You can also include this information on your wedding website or spread the word through family and friends.

What to say when your venue doesn't allow children

Deciding not to invite children to your wedding can be a tricky situation to navigate, but it's ultimately up to you and your partner. If your venue doesn't allow children, here are some ways to communicate this to your guests:

Be Direct and Honest

Explain the situation to your guests by providing a clear and honest reason for not inviting children. Here are some examples:

• "We are very sorry, but due to restrictions at our venue, we cannot accommodate children."
• "Due to safety reasons at our venue, we are unable to extend this invitation to children."
• "Our venue has a strict no-under-18s policy, so we are unable to welcome children to the wedding."
• "Unfortunately, as much as we'd love to invite all our friends' children, we can only accommodate a few close family children."

Provide Advance Notice

It's important to give your guests with children enough time to make childcare arrangements. Let them know about your adults-only policy as early as possible, either through your save-the-dates, wedding website, or by word of mouth.

Be Consistent

Apply the "no kids" rule consistently across all guests to avoid any confusion or hard feelings. You can make exceptions for children of immediate family members or those in the wedding party, but be sure to communicate this clearly to your guests.

Offer Alternatives

If you are inviting children to part of the wedding, such as the ceremony or early reception, provide clear timing and details. You could also suggest or provide childcare options for the times when children are not invited.

Avoid Patronising Language

Phrases like "we thought you'd appreciate a night off" or "to give you the opportunity to really let your hair down" might come across as patronising to parents. Instead, focus on providing a clear and respectful explanation for your decision.

Be Sensitive and Understanding

Remember that some parents may not be able to attend due to childcare constraints. It's also important to be sensitive when dealing with upset parents, but don't feel like you need to back down from your decision.

Remember, it's your wedding day, and you have the right to decide who's invited. By being direct, consistent, and sensitive in your communication, you can navigate this tricky situation gracefully.

What to say when you're allowing certain children

When you're allowing certain children to a wedding, it's important to be clear and consistent in your communication to avoid any confusion or hurt feelings. Here are some suggestions for what to say when you're allowing certain children:

Be Direct and Clear:

• "Unfortunately, as much as we'd love to invite all of our friends' children, we can only accommodate a few close family children. We hope that you will understand this decision and that you will still be able to join us on our special day."
• "In order to meet guest number restrictions, we are only able to extend our invitation to the children of close family and/or our wedding party."
• "Due to space constraints, we are only able to invite the children of immediate family to our wedding."
• "We are unable to accommodate children beyond our page boys and flower girls."
• "We are only able to accommodate the children of the wedding party."

Keep it Simple:

• "We are sorry that we are unable to accommodate children at our wedding."
• "We would like our special day to be an adult-only occasion."
• "Please be aware that this will be an adults-only wedding."
• "We are unable to invite children to our wedding. We hope that advance notice means you are still able to attend."

Addressing Children Attending Part of the Wedding:

• "We are delighted to welcome children to the ceremony and early reception. However, from [time] onwards, the wedding will be adults only."
• "We respectfully request that under-18s do not attend the reception."
• "Children outside the wedding party are not invited for the ceremony, but are welcome for the reception from [time]."
• "We would like our special day to be an adult-only occasion, however, we would like to open the invite up to your children at the evening reception at [time]."
• "Following the ceremony and drinks reception, please join us for an adults-only reception at [time]."

Be Mindful of Costs:

• "As much as we would like to invite all the children of our loved ones, we will only be able to welcome over-18s at our wedding due to budget constraints."
• "While we adore your children, our budget will only allow us to accommodate adult guests at our wedding."
• "We regret that due to cost restrictions, we are only able to invite over-18s to our wedding."

Allowing Babies or Infants:

• "Please note that this is an adult-only wedding. However, you are welcome to bring infants under 12 months."
• "Adults only (exception for infants under six months)."

Remember, it's essential to be sensitive and thoughtful when communicating about children at your wedding. Be consistent in your approach, and consider mentioning your decision on your wedding website or through word of mouth to give guests with children enough notice to make necessary arrangements.

What to say when you're inviting children to part of the wedding

If you are inviting children to part of your wedding, it is important to be clear about which parts they are invited to. Here are some examples of wording you could use:

"We are delighted to welcome children to the ceremony and early reception. However, from X pm onwards, the wedding will be adults only." You could add: "We will be providing a creche; please see our wedding website for further details."

"We respectfully request that under-18s do not attend the reception."

"Children outside the wedding party are not invited for the ceremony, but are welcome for the reception from X pm."

"We would like our special day to be an adult-only occasion, however, we would like to open the invite up to your children at the evening reception at X pm."

"Following the ceremony and drinks reception, please join us for an adults-only reception at X pm."

If you are inviting children to the whole day, but would like to give parents the option of leaving them at home, you could say:

"Please note that this is an adult-only wedding. However, you are welcome to bring infants under 12 months."

"Adults only (exception for infants under six months)."

If you are inviting children to the whole day, and you are happy for parents to bring their children, you could say:

"Whilst we love little ones, we kindly request that children only attend if they are able to sit quietly through the ceremony."

"Children are very welcome, but please note that the day will run late into the evening."

"We would love to see your children at the wedding, but please note that there will be adult-driven entertainment."

Frequently asked questions