Adults Only

[Deleted User]

I have read on a couple different sites that this is not uncommon these days but I wanted other people’s opinion on this. Is it tacky or wrong to have an adult’s only reception? I mean especially if the guests invited are big drinkers I feel it might not be appropriate to have children there.

trix1223

You can have an adults only reception for any reason you want.  It's just fine to say that you don't want kids there.  You don't even have to make up excuses~just say you feel that the party you're hosting will not be appropriate for children.

I've had 2 of my 3 children married the last 3 years.  And both of them had child-free weddings.  It's fine.

danieliza1127

It's acceptable to have an adults only wedding if that's what you and your FI want.  We had a party type reception with open bar and dancing, and still had kids there and it was great and fun.  If the parents didn't think it was appropriate, they would have gotten a babysitter.  You certainly don't have to have an adults only wedding just because you are serving alcohol.

megk8oz

It's perfectly fine to do this as long as both you and FI are on board with it. Also, remember, if somebody else is finincially contributing to the wedding, they get a say on this, too.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

It is perfectly fine. Just don't make a huge deal of it or list it in the invitations. Address your invitations only to those who are invited - i.e. adults.

Fystybride

Due to the size of our venue we simply had no choice.  I can only have 70 guests MAX in my room, and if everyone brought their kids it would be crazy...not to mention my catering is $50.00+ per person...no way am I going to pay for co-worker's kids that I have never met.  We have four kids ourselves, two teenagers and two younger- so of course they will attend until 9 or 10, after which they will go to bed upstairs.  I have two guests from out of town that must bring kids, but I felt like I could put 'adult only reception immediately to follow ceremony' on the invite and people will just have to understand about the two kids being there.  They will hang out with mine, eat mac n'cheese like mine, and go to bed with mine as well.

Asa Motes

It is true that if you don't want children at your ceremony or reception, you should only address your invitations to those actually invited to the event.  That's what I did; but I should tell you that almost half of the people who have responded so far are bringing people who were not included on the invitation.  So just be prepared for that.

gdsgft007

I am glad that this subject was address because I was torn with the decision I made to not have children under the age of 15 at the ceremony or the reception. I had one of my dear friends tell me that I couldnt do that and that I shouldnt have a ceremony or reception. It just so happens that she has a child thats under the age limit. This has helped me so much. Thanks alot.

youngsbizz

Thank-you all for your replies. Although I did not post the question, it was one of the things that my fiance and I have been dwelling on. So again, thanks for your input, which will be a big help in our final decision on and all adult wedding!!

glam70s

We're having adults only, except for my only neice, who will be just over a year old at the time. The only other 2 children I know belong to a friend and a cousin, and I'm certain that they'll understand why bringing their children is different from my sister bringing hers. In fact, I'm pretty sure neither of them would want to bring their children anyway...

elhatter

instead of saying "adults only" on the invite after the ceremony information you can always say "adult reception to follow"

evabee

So we are doing this and the wording on my invitations will say something to the effect of "we hope that the TWO of you can join us" or "you and a guest". The rest we are leaving up to word of mouth.

I am also sending invitations to each of the children to invite them to a pizza party and movie during the adults only reception in a different room near the reception room. This way parents are not offended because their children have been very carefully considered and concerned parents can check in on their kids if they need to without having to permanently leave the party.

Just an idea! Good luck!