Too many kids?!?

jalyndani · February 2014

RebeccaB88 said:

If you 'assigned' me the task of babysitting at your wedding, we would no longer be friends.

Consider trimming the list to either family kids only, or none at all. 60 kids is just stupid huge.

This. It's a wedding, not a carnival or a McDonald's birthday party on the playground.

antoto · February 2014

jalyndani said:

RebeccaB88 said:

If you 'assigned' me the task of babysitting at your wedding, we would no longer be friends.

Consider trimming the list to either family kids only, or none at all. 60 kids is just stupid huge.

This. It's a wedding, not a carnival or a McDonald's birthday party on the playground.

I feel this is total personal preference. Some people love having tons of kids around and want that on their wedding day. To say to those brides that it turns their wedding into a McDonald's birthday party is extremely rude of you.

It's great if you feel that way - don't preach though.

jneen101 · February 2014

This sounds like a nightmare.

HaileyDancingbear · February 2014

phira said:

Sort of. I was teaching a summer science program, so we had kids of various ages (5-13) in every classroom. It was about halfway between babysitting and teaching.

If the OP does end up with 60 kids at her wedding, I'd say she should hire at least 6 babysitters.

This. Definitely. 10 kids per babysitter would be the most kids per person that would still be manageable. and OP, make sure these are good babysitters, not just random teenagers who babysit for extra cash, and again, definitely not just some of your guests, because otherwise they'd get overwhelmed!

cowgirl8238 · February 2014

I think the number of children is up to the bride and groom. If you guys are comfortable with that many, then go for it. If you want to cut that number down I would recommend circles (your children, siblings children, cousins children etc.)

The only thing I would be concerned with is hiring a few experienced professionals to come in and watch them in the basement play area. Its not a knock at you or the parenting skills of the others involved it just a general safety concern. It would be tough for any one person to watch so many, and the last thing you need is one to sneak away from the group and cause damage to the church!!

Again, I'm not saying they;re bad children but that could be a potential problem. Also, please don't make your guests babysit. Hire people for this task so that all of your guests can enjoy the wedding.

PrettyGirlLost · February 2014

antoto said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

jalyndani said:

@antoto Well, my mom is an elementary school teacher at a smaller district; her class size is usually 18-23 kiddos. I guess in bigger districts, you're correct- WAY MORE kids in a class!

@PrettyGirlLost Basically. With no parental or teacher supervision. Imagine combining @antono's classroom with a second classroom, and just left them to manifest their own entertainment with no rules.

I'm not anti-child. I want children one day. But that doesn't mean that I want sixty kids at my wedding reception.

Do the wedding guests know that there will be that many young kids at the wedding?

This would be highly irregular for my family and friends, based on the weddings I have been in and attended, and I would be stunned, lol.

I feel like this is slightly more normal if the couple is a little bit older of if it's a Catholic or Mormon wedding.

The Catholic weddings I have been to never had 60 young kids, lol. Maybe 10 max.

[Deleted User] · February 2014

Wow, that's a lot of kids and you have to think of ways to make everything child friendly for that many kids and how to entertain them. Not sure I would want that task. I would probably review the list & cut back. When I got married we limited kids invited to those of the bridal party, nieces/nephew (most of them their parents were in the bridal party) and out of town guests with kids.

saacjw · February 2014

PrettyGirlLost said:

antoto said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

jalyndani said:

@antoto Well, my mom is an elementary school teacher at a smaller district; her class size is usually 18-23 kiddos. I guess in bigger districts, you're correct- WAY MORE kids in a class!

@PrettyGirlLost Basically. With no parental or teacher supervision. Imagine combining @antono's classroom with a second classroom, and just left them to manifest their own entertainment with no rules.

I'm not anti-child. I want children one day. But that doesn't mean that I want sixty kids at my wedding reception.

Do the wedding guests know that there will be that many young kids at the wedding?

This would be highly irregular for my family and friends, based on the weddings I have been in and attended, and I would be stunned, lol.

I feel like this is slightly more normal if the couple is a little bit older of if it's a Catholic or Mormon wedding.

The Catholic weddings I have been to never had 60 young kids, lol. Maybe 10 max.

I went to one where the bride was the oldest of 12, the groom was the oldest of 5, they had one adult sibling between them, and all of their cousins were young. Add in the fact that they invited a bunch of people from their church, there were comfortably 60 kids there. I'm expecting a similar number at 2 weddings I'm going to this summer. The bride for one is one of 14. Half her siblings are under 18, the other half are older and have a bunch of kids (I think she said she had something like 15nieces and nephews). I think I know really big families...

RebeccaB88 · February 2014

RebeccaB88 said

Consider trimming the list to either family kids only, or none at all. 60 kids is just stupid huge.

FYI, around here 'stupid huge' would be the equivalent of 'crazy huge' , 'ridiculously huge', or 'incredibly huge'. It doesn't imply stupidity on everyone. I'm guessing that's not the same everywhere. Just wanted to clarify. But I still wouldn't have 60 kids at my wedding, and honestly, I don't know how long I'd stay at one where there were. I'd think the OP was crazy for having that many kids there, but it's her their wedding, so their choice.

PrettyGirlLost · February 2014

saacjw said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

antoto said:

PrettyGirlLost said:

jalyndani said:

@antoto Well, my mom is an elementary school teacher at a smaller district; her class size is usually 18-23 kiddos. I guess in bigger districts, you're correct- WAY MORE kids in a class!

@PrettyGirlLost Basically. With no parental or teacher supervision. Imagine combining @antono's classroom with a second classroom, and just left them to manifest their own entertainment with no rules.

I'm not anti-child. I want children one day. But that doesn't mean that I want sixty kids at my wedding reception.

Do the wedding guests know that there will be that many young kids at the wedding?

This would be highly irregular for my family and friends, based on the weddings I have been in and attended, and I would be stunned, lol.

I feel like this is slightly more normal if the couple is a little bit older of if it's a Catholic or Mormon wedding.

The Catholic weddings I have been to never had 60 young kids, lol. Maybe 10 max.

I went to one where the bride was the oldest of 12, the groom was the oldest of 5, they had one adult sibling between them, and all of their cousins were young. Add in the fact that they invited a bunch of people from their church, there were comfortably 60 kids there. I'm expecting a similar number at 2 weddings I'm going to this summer. The bride for one is one of 14. Half her siblings are under 18, the other half are older and have a bunch of kids (I think she said she had something like 15nieces and nephews). I think I know really big families...

Yes, you do, lol.

My family are Italian Catholics and most have 3 or 4 kids max.

Vivandiere8 · February 2014

saacjw said:

I don't think it's too many, it sounds like some of the weddings I've been to with huge Catholic families, so I might have a weird perspective. I am also one of the people here who was really opposed to a kid free wedding (for me, other people can do what they want) because I think kids at weddings are fun. For what it's worth, you still may have some of your friends choose not to bring their kids along so that they can have a night out. We had a couple who did that.

I say, if you like these kids, if it's appropriate to have kids at your reception, and you don't mind the number of people you've invited, go for it and don't worry about it.

This is how it was for me growing up. It really just depends on what you want. 60 kids (They probably won't all come) could be great for you, or not so great. I have been to many weddings with lots of kids and never once was there any issues with them being there (meaning no huge tantrums, meltdowns, knocked over cakes, or whatever else people imagine might happen with a lot of kids.) I don't know how many children might come to my wedding but I put no restrictions because I like the idea of children being there, plus my sister and I made a promise to each other when we were little girls that we wouldn't keep any kids from our weddings when we were grown up. We LOVED going to weddings as children! But you really just have to know yourself. And like people said, it doesn't have to be all ore none. The fact that you have a fun place for the kids to go should be a big help though.

offthemarket915 · February 2014

FYI, around here 'stupid huge' would be the equivalent of 'crazy huge' , 'ridiculously huge', or 'incredibly huge'. It doesn't imply stupidity on everyone. I'm guessing that's not the same everywhere. Just wanted to clarify. But I still wouldn't have 60 kids at my wedding, and honestly, I don't know how long I'd stay at one where there were. I'd think the OP was crazy for having that many kids there, but it's her their wedding, so their choice.

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To the bolded: The minute the kids took over the dance floor, I'd be out.

jdluvr06 · February 2014

I know I'm in the minority here but I love kids and I think the more kids the better. I honestly can't imagine having fun at a wedding without kids because my favorite part of the wedding is seeing the kids get all dresses up and dancing, ect.

dolewhipper · February 2014

I love children, that being said, I don't think people realize how many sixty kids are at a "party" (in their eyes). Also, are these mainly toddlers, elementary, or middleschooler/pre-teens? Makes a HUGE difference.

Klloyd89 · February 2014

We had this issue too when figuring out our guest list. We ended up putting on the invitations coming from my (the brides) parents, "The bride and groom wish for this to be an adults only event. Ages 18 & up with the exception of bridal party & immediate family" I think this is a good idea that helps keep the guest list / cost down. Just be prepared to hear grief from family & friends that can't bring their kids. But it is YOUR day & others should respect what you want.

MobKaz · February 2014

Klloyd89 said:

We had this issue too when figuring out our guest list. We ended up putting on the invitations coming from my (the brides) parents, "The bride and groom wish for this to be an adults only event. Ages 18 & up with the exception of bridal party & immediate family" I think this is a good idea that helps keep the guest list / cost down. Just be prepared to hear grief from family & friends that can't bring their kids. But it is YOUR day & others should respect what you want.

Although it is too late to remedy your situation, it is NEVER appropriate to write such things on an invitation. Invitations indicate who IS invited; it is rude to point out who is being excluded.

emilie250 · February 2014

You should hire babysitters that stay in the basement and the kid:babysitter ratio should be at the highest 10:1.

Smiths51615 · February 2014

That is a lot of children! I am only having my children, my fiances son and my neighbors daughter (all of them are in the wedding). I am also having older cousins but no one under the age of ten. I feel like i would be responsible for all of those children and i want to enjoy myself. I have a babysitter for my children. it is up to you and if you can afford it and dont mind it go for it!

Jen4948 · February 2014

Smiths51615 said:

That is a lot of children! I am only having my children, my fiances son and my neighbors daughter (all of them are in the wedding). I am also having older cousins but no one under the age of ten. I feel like i would be responsible for all of those children and i want to enjoy myself. I have a babysitter for my children. it is up to you and if you can afford it and dont mind it go for it!

Do you mind not using colored text? It's very hard on the eyes.

christina2881 · February 2014

I am a firm believer in "to each their own" but this seems like an overwhelming amount of kids! I love that family is important to you, but agree with previous feedback, you don't have to feel obliged to invite "all" kids.

I too, am in the process of creating my invite list and have chosen to invite kids of immediate family (sisters and brothers) and a few cousins that have to travel (don't want to ask them to leave kids 400+ miles from home) but have limited the kid list quite a bit. It's your day and your decision. People will understand.

Too many kids?!?

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