Wedding Etiquette Forum

Guests with kids!

Okay everyone, how should I handle this situation without being rude??? We are having a formal wedding on New Years Eve and several of the people we are inviting, mostly from our workplace, have kids. How do we let certain people know that it is just an invite for the adults? I know alot is how you address the invite, but I'm afraid some of our guest won't read the invite right and undertand that we don't want 100 kids at our wedding, and they will bring their kids? Am I being rude for not wanting a ton of kids there? HELP!

Re: Guests with kids!

  • No, you're not being rude. However, you simply need to address the invitations to only those invited (in this case, not children.)

    Then, when your RSVPs come back and you notice some people have RSVP'd for their children as well, you simply call them and explain. Simply say, "Jane, I noticed you RSVP'd that Jimmy and Susie will be coming with you and John. We're so sorry, but due to size limitations, we simply can't accomodate additional people. We're looking forward to seeing you at the wedding."
    **i'm a little drunk on you and high on summertime** Photobucket
  • I addressed mine to the adults and on an insert I put with the invitation I put "Adult only Reception". That worked for me. Good luck
  • Please don't mention who is NOT invited on the invitation or reply card--that would be rude. Address the invitation only to those invited. Additionally, you can specifically list the names of those who ARE invited on the reply card as well, or word the reply card something like "Two seats have been reserved in your honor" at the top. 
    Anniversary
    White Knot
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
  • I love the idea of "2 seats have been reserved in your honor" I think it's my new favorite trend. My question though is how do I include a child with that wording without them thinking that I am inviting that many adults?
  • If you're going to do the '2 seats reserved' thing then write out the names on the response card so there is no confusion.  Otherwise it can backfire.
  • We received an invite recently that on the RSVP card had a space to fill in "number attending".  I happen to know that this couple is inviting kids but parents may choose not to bring them.  So this way the couple will know for sure how many guests.  You could consider that.  Also works for people invited "and guest" who may choose anyway to come solo.  Or, if you must know menu selections in advance you can have people indicate how many people are eating what menu selection.  Not positive how you would word that to be clear and still have it sound nice but it could be a polite way around getting your accurate head count.
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards