To tell guests no kids at a wedding, clearly state it on the invitation with polite phrasing like "Adults-Only Celebration" or "We respectfully request no children under 18," address invitations to specific adults only (not "The Smith Family"), and use your wedding website for details, possibly offering childcare suggestions or making exceptions for infants to be considerate. Consistency is key, so avoid exceptions to prevent hurt feelings.
It depends on the formality of your wedding/invitations. You could do something like ``adults only reception'' or ``we respectfully request no children under the age of ____'' or ``please celebrate with us at an adults only reception immediately following the ceremony''.
When you're tempted to say ``no'', try to rephrase it as a statement about what your child can do, rather than what she can't. For example, instead of, ``No throwing the ball in the living room!'' you could say, ``See if you can roll the ball down the hall'', or, ``Remember, we only throw balls outside''.
Adults only please!” “To give all our guests the opportunity to celebrate without having to worry about little eyes and ears, we politely request no children.” To allow all guests to relax and enjoy themselves, we have chosen to make our special day adults only. We thank you for understanding.”
''Although we love your little ones, this is an adult-only affair.” “We love your kids but thought you might like a night off. Adults only please!” ''We are very sorry, but we are unable to extend the invitation to children.
For your closest friends and immediate family members, the experts recommend permitting plus-ones, even if they don't plan on showing up with a romantic partner.
You can say on your website “Due to venue limitations, this event is adults only (18 or 21+).” or if you're more casual, “We love your kids, but our wedding is an adults-only event. We look forward to a night of drinks, dancing, and celebration with you!”
Not rude at all. I've been to several adult only weddings and receptions. This is their day and they can have it the way they want it. If you think it's rude and don't t want to attend then politely decline the invite.
The "30/5 minute rule" for weddings is a time-management strategy: expect things that usually take 5 minutes to take 30 on your wedding day (like getting dressed due to distractions), and plan for 30-minute buffers before major events, while conversely, anticipating guests might arrive 5 minutes late to key moments. This rule builds crucial flexibility into your schedule, preventing small delays from derailing the entire event and creating breathing room for spontaneous moments, ensuring a smoother, less stressful day.
Unfortunately, we're on a tight budget and have limited space, so we simply can't afford for all of our lovely guests to bring a guest of their own. Plus ones are therefore by invitation only and we ask other guests to please not bring a plus one. Thank you so much for understanding!”
The "3-3-3 Rule" for kids is a simple mindfulness technique to manage anxiety by grounding them in the present moment: first, name three things they can see; next, identify three sounds they hear; and finally, move three different parts of their body. This engages their senses, shifts focus from worries, and helps them regain control when feeling overwhelmed, like during test anxiety or social situations.
You don't have to harshly state “no kids allowed.” Some friendlier or subtler ways to phrase it include: “Adult reception (18 and older) to follow” “Although we love your little ones, our wedding will be an adult-only celebration.” “Please note that this will be an adults-only wedding reception.”
In a story about this phenomenon in December 2023 for New York Times, Hilary Sheinbaum includes this astounding statistic: “Of 4,000 couples with 2024 wedding dates, 79.5 percent are in favor of kid-free weddings.”
"In our effort to keep our celebration intimate, your invitation is specifically for __ seats. We kindly ask that no additional guests be brought to the event." Clearly states the seat allocation and respectfully requests that invitees do not bring anyone else, emphasizing the intimate nature of the event.
Inner Envelope
Write the title of the primary guest and his or her last name. No mailing address is needed on the inner envelope. Children under 18 should be included under their parents' names, from oldest to youngest. Children over the age of 18 and living with their parents should receive their own invitation.
The groom's family traditionally paid for all costs associated with the rehearsal dinner and honeymoon, wedding day transportation, and the officiant. The groom also paid for the bride's engagement ring, wedding ring, and groomsmen gifts. It is also common for the groom's family to pay for the alcohol at the reception.
Golden hour happens just after sunrise or just before sunset when the sun is lower in the sky. This sun position makes the surrounding light soft and warm, dare I say, golden! It's simply the most flattering light to say “I do” in.
Don't wear white (the bride has dibs on that colour), don't wear the same style and colour dress as the bridesmaids (check with the bride or bridesmaids before the wedding to find out what colour dresses they are wearing), and don't wear jeans – even if the wedding invitation says 'casual dress', try to stick to a ...
No Kids, Adults Only Wedding Wording Examples
The 2-2-2 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline to keep a bond strong by scheduling regular, dedicated time together: a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years. It's a simple framework for prioritizing connection, preventing boredom, and creating new memories, helping couples stay close amidst busy lives, though it's flexible and can be adapted to fit budgets and schedules.
Yes, it's customary to invite the flower girl and ring bearer to the reception. Darling believes that, just like the adult attendants, the children (and their parents) are putting in time, commitment and money into being in the wedding, so extending a reception invite shows your appreciation for their service.
Here are a few classy ways to tell your guests children are not invited:
When You Want to Keep It Simple
'Adults Only' Wording
Simple wording such as 'Adults only Reception' or 'Children over 16 years of age only' are great starting points for this, and can be inserted at the bottom of the Invitation or Response Card (or just under the guest names lines).