Kids at the Reception?

pearsforpoops

We didn’t include any language about children on our invites.  I addressed the invite to the person/couple and put a line requesting “Your Name(s) and the Name(s) of your Guest(s)” on the RSVP which I thought would be fine.  Most people went ahead and included their kids if they want to bring them but we had a couple people not send back their RSVP because we didn’t specifically invite their kids so they said they didn’t know how to respond.  (Why they didn’t just call us or something I will never know – my number was ON the RSVP in case anyone had questions.  We had to call them…)  Now I’m worried other couples we aren’t as close with will make arrangements to come without kids, see other kids there, and be annoyed or offended.  The wedding is on Saturday (3 days…2 days…oh my gosh) so I don’t really have time to go back through and contact all these people to say “Hey!  Bring your kids if you want!”  Am I overthinking this or have I really screwed up here?

Mrs.B6302007

I'm confused. Did you call the people who added on kids and tell them no or did you cave?

stella218

I think you are overthinking.  Honestly, if I received an invite addressed only to me and H, I would assume that our kids (if we had any) were not invited unless specified.  If we showed up and there were kids, my impression would be that those guests took it upon themselves to invite their children.  I wouldn't feel like the bride and groom had slighted us - you can only control what people do to a certain extent. 

You have enough going on with your wedding being in two days.  I don't think you really need to worry about this.

Bubbalub

I believe that, technically, you should have added the kids names on the invite if they were invited. Lots of people assume (correctly) that the only people invited are the ones whose names are listed.

If you want to call people to let them know their kids are invited, go ahead. But check to make sure your venue hasn't already passed the deadline for a final headcount.

LD1970

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_kids-reception?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:5be003a0-8966-4132-9832-8e499ce7fa42Post:023d185f-eef3-494a-a9e7-d3f12d47c176">Re: Kids at the Reception?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm confused. Did you call the people who added on kids and tell them no or did you cave?
Posted by Mrs.B6302007[/QUOTE]
Neither.  She wants the kids but didn't actually invite them.

arv266

If you didn't include the wording "And Family" your guest may not have assumed that their kids were invited.  With the wedding two days away, what can you really do at this point?  I'd be slightly put off if I got a call, days before a wedding, that "oh, and btw, your kids ARE invited."  For me, this is an afterthought, but I get how it could be overlooked until now.

Let it go.  If you can't, then the thing to do is call up your guest who have kids to let them know.  But as the PP wrote, make sure your venue can accomodate the new headcount.