No Children

HandFasted · March 2012

My fiancee and I are having our wedding reception at a micro brewery...we would like to specify that this is not a child friendly event. Whats the best way to do that?
All in all I actually dont believe that they will get the subtle hint of the envelope being addressed to the mr and mrs alone...

Help!

monkeysip · March 2012

If they don't get that their kid isn't invited when their kid's name isn't on the invite, all you can do is handle it on a case-by-case basis.

If they RSVP for their kid, just call them and politely inform them, "I'm sorry, the invitation was for you and Mr/Mrs. Smith, and we cannot accomodate little johnny. We hope you can still make it!" Or something like that.

Hopefully that and the fact that your reception is at a brewery will clue them in.

Nancy00714 · March 2012

The only way to correctly and politely do this would be to address the envelope. To be even safer you can actually fill in the RSVP, too.

MR and Mrs. John Smith
___ regretfully decline
____ would love to come (or whatever)

This way hopefully they take the hint that they can't add on little Johnny's name.

NOLAbridealmost · March 2012

PPs are wise=)

banana468 · March 2012

Ditto PPs.

If guests respond that they're bringing their kids, you'll need to call and clarify.

ThankfulSnail · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-children?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:bdc9cf57-236d-411a-9f64-0322eebed93cPost:6e3c9be1-3de8-498f-ba06-df47eb967694">Re: No Children</a>:
[QUOTE]Or you could write somewhere on both the invite and rsvp cards that this is an adult only reception.
Posted by ginabean82[/QUOTE]

<div>No you couldn't. This would be rude. That's why PPs suggested only addressing the invitations to the people invited, and calling to clarify if anyone RSVPs with their kids.</div>

goobersinlove · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-children?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:bdc9cf57-236d-411a-9f64-0322eebed93cPost:f96d6110-33ae-424d-92a1-d03c4732ac43">Re: No Children</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: No Children : No you couldn't. This would be rude. That's why PPs suggested only addressing the invitations to the people invited, and calling to clarify if anyone RSVPs with their kids.
Posted by ThankfulSnail[/QUOTE]

Please don't do this. It is 100% against proper etiquette.

You can have the RSVP card say "We have reserved __ seats in your honor" and fill it in. That (hopefully) leaves no room for misinterpretation.

myname1234 · March 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_no-children?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:bdc9cf57-236d-411a-9f64-0322eebed93cPost:6e3c9be1-3de8-498f-ba06-df47eb967694">Re: No Children</a>:
[QUOTE]Or you could write somewhere on both the invite and rsvp cards that this is an adult only reception.
Posted by ginabean82[/QUOTE]

I'm going to vote "No" to this one. Don't point out who <strong>isn't </strong>invited. Point out who <strong>IS

</strong>Have your RSVP cards printed like this.

M__________
accepts regrets

M__________
accepts regrets

Fill in the name blanks before you send them. Yes, it takes a lot more work on your end, but that shoud clear up any confusion as to whom is invited

RYLZ · March 2012

I see this advice over and over but unfortunately, the kind of people who assume their child(ren) are invited despite the fact that an invitation is addressed only to adults, are often not the kind of people to try and pencil in names to give you an accurate RSVP anyhow (so no matter how specific your RSVP card is it wont matter). They aren't likely to call and have a conversation about it, they'll just show up at the wedding with their uninvited child(ren). If they were good with etiquette or subtlety, this wouldn't even be an issue in the first place.

andycorinawedding · March 2012

Only addressing invitations to the adults invited it the best idea, then I would just start spreading the word, by telling friends and familiy the situtaion. Of course, you will always have people that insist they have to bring there children. In this case all you can do is be polite, honest and direct with them.

I had a friend who was insulted that she was not allowed to bring her child to another friends wedding and couldn't understand why her child was not invited. in this case the bride talked to her and worked things out. But, if people feel this passionately about having their children attend, they can always decline the invitation.

jbehrens3 · March 2012

I totally understand this issue with "No Kids". Currently, I awaiting RSVPs to come back and I thought by putting ...We have reserved two seats in your honor..was the nicest why to say "No Kids". However, no matter how you phrase it people get offended. Talking to people with kids is highly recommended.

Good luck!

ChrissyA2003 · June 2012

I'm putting "The couple respectfully requests that children not be in attendance." I don't care if it's rude or what etiquette states, I don't want to risk someone "assuming" they can bring their kids and then me having to have that awkward conversation.

ChrissyA2003 · June 2012

I'm putting "The couple respectfully requests that children not be in attendance." I don't care if it's rude or what etiquette states, I don't want to risk someone "assuming" they can bring their kids and then me having to have that awkward conversation.

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