How old is old enough to be on the guest list?

nickstevie108

My fiance and I are working on our guest list and realized that we have 12 children on the list that will range from ages 1-3 on our wedding date!  At what age do we count young children in our total number of guests? They most likely won't be sitting in their own chair or eating the same meal... We have a strict 200 person limit and want to invite as many people as possible while still making room for all the little ones.

Thanks!

MoonlightSilver

Babies are people. They should all be counted. Your venue probably has to keep track of bodies for the fire code rules. 

Also, even a one year old will need a chair (or a high chair); they will still be taking up a place at the table. So definitely count every person, regardless of age. 

kmmssg

Yes, you must make a chair available to all the little ones, even if it is a high chair.  The best way to make a toddler really cranky and unhappy is put them in a position to have to be held by mom and dad for several hours.  That also makes for a really crappy evening for mom and dad.  If you invite them, they need space.

JoanE2012

You count everyone, regardless of age.  You will most likely pay less for little ones (some really little ones might be free!) but they will still need to know the total number of guests.

Jen4948

Even a newborn needs to be counted as a separate guest.

Kate61487

Ask your venue what their age cutoff is for charging for the meal.  I think our was 4 and under free, 5-12 kids price (it was family style so the 4 yos still ate, we just didn't get charged for them).  You should count all of them for seats, like PPs said.  Whether they need a highchair or a place to set the diaper bag and carseat; kids take space.

jemali_2003

We had to count all children as a guest, but our venue only charged if they were 5 and up.  They still needed to have a place for the children to sit.  

lyndausvi

For fire code and seating purposes you must count ALL people regardless of age.

As far as pricing counts, that is up to your venue.   Most venues have infant/toddler pricing (generally 3-5 and under), kid pricing (generally 3-5 to 10-13) and then adult pricing.  

However, it that is not a hard fast rule. Some places don't have discounts for kids, others have the rates for under 21.

[Deleted User]

For chairs, you must count everyone, as they'll need a space at a table. Also, check with your reception hall about high chairs - ours does not supply them so we will need actual chairs for each baby so that the parents can put baby carriers, portable high chairs, etc on them. In terms of budgeting, again check with your vendor. For us, all children under 6 are free and children under 12 are half price. But our vendor still needs the head count and children listed in the seating chart.