Kid's Meal on RSVP card?

melbenso

My FI and I are in the process of picking out our invitations and RSVP cards and will be ordering them soon.  We will be doing a plated meal for our reception.  In addition to our standard meal choices, should I put the kids meal option on the RSVP?  We aren't inviting a lot of children (family and children of wedding party only).  The total number of kids under 10 attending will be 8, if all are able to come.  There are several friends we are inviting without their children.

Should I include the kids meal option on the RSVP, or just privately contact the people who will be bringing their children (call or include a note with the invitation) to let them know that we will be providing a kids meal for them and they don't have to indicate a food choice for their kids? 

southernbelle0915

I would put it on there. There might be kids over 10 years old who want the kids meal.

"Please initial menu choice for each guest

___Beef

___Chicken

___Kids' meal (chicken tenders and fries)"

vmj23

I wouldn't include it since you aren't inviting all kids.  Then people with kids that aren't being invited may question why or assume they can bring their kids too.    I only have 5 kids attending my wedding, which are all in the wedding party, and I am going to just personally ask their parents about their meal. 

melbelleup

This is the same question I have, but I'm printing my own invites and RSVPs so was thinking about including it on the RSVPs for kids and then deleting it on the ones that their kids aren't invited. At my venue, they can only get the kid's meal if under 10. No ifs and or buts.

melbenso

@melbelleup It looks like we not only have the same wedding date, but the same venue policy regarding kids meals.  Kids meals will only be served at my venue to people 10 and under.  So it isn't an option for adults (or either of the two teenagers who will be there) to get it.

And @jenni1221, you pretty much hit my concern on the head.  I don't want people to mistakenly think their children are invited or call me and ask why their kids aren't invited (and try to persuade me to add them) because clearly some kids are invited.  (Though I think the latter is highly unlikely.)

I think I am going to leave it off the RSVP.  So secondary question, would it be better to call each set of parents with children invited or include a note with the invitation.  Either one is fine with me, I'm just curious from an etiquette standpoint.

southernbelle0915

I would call them.

Jen4948

If you're only inviting certain kids, I think you should leave it off the RSVP card because it could mislead those whose kids are not invited into thinking erroneously that they are.  Just separately call or email each set of parents of invited children and get the information.

huskypuppy14

Personally, I think you can leave it on the RSVP. But either way you decide, don't assume that all children under 10 will want the children's meal. Some may want the adult meal, and they should be allowed to have it. I think an individual note in the invitation to the families asking them what they prefer would be the way to go.

AddieCake

Yeah, if you're not inviting all kids, I would just call the people privately. This will eliminate risking upsetting people and eliminate confusion as well. 

MobKaz

laurynm84 said:

Personally, I think you can leave it on the RSVP. But either way you decide, don't assume that all children under 10 will want the children's meal. Some may want the adult meal, and they should be allowed to have it. I think an individual note in the invitation to the families asking them what they prefer would be the way to go.

My 8 year old nephew and 10 year old niece both preferred the adult meal.  Our vendor offered a less expensive full dinner for those under the age of 21.  In our situation, it was easiest to make a few quick phone calls.  

melbenso

All of our under-10 guests are actually between the ages of 3 and 6, and I know them all fairly well.  I'm fairly certain they (or their parents ordering for them, since most are little enough that they probably won't care if asked) will all want the kids meal.  I've never met a 3 year old who preferred wild mushroom risotto to cheese pizza or boursin chicken to chicken fingers and fries. But I will double check with their parents.  Since we will only be ordering one type of kids meal, I suppose I need to call them anyway to make sure that their kids will eat what we choose (options are chicken fingers, hamburgers, or pizza; leaning towards chicken fingers if there aren't any dietary restrictions for any of the kids, but that doesn't need to be decided just yet).

AprilH81

With that few kids I would probably call the parents after they send in their RSVP.  "Hi Sally!  I got your RSVP and I am so happy you and your family are coming!  I wanted to let you know that we were providing chicken tenders and fries for the children.  Would Bobby prefer that to the pork chops?"

Or...

We did a separate insert for the families with kids (we have a bunch) stating that kids meals would be available for kids under 10.  Kids had the option of the kids meal or the regular plated options, just to write it in on the RSVP card.

SP29

We included the Kids Meal as an option on the RSVP. We didn't have many kids to invite to begin with, only 3 couples have kids under 12 and we invited all of them. There are a couple teenagers who are also in attendance, but the kids meal is only for those under 12 (FI wanted to know if he could have chicken fingers and fries :P). 

However we also did the "X seats are reserved for you".