Children At Weddings?

Lately, I have noticed this trend w/ providing guests w/ children babysitters at wedding receptions. What are people think of this?



Growing up, my parents attended weddings. However, I never went. My parents explained weddings were not places for children. Now, I'm not talking about having 3 or 4 young ones. I'm having my flower girl and my ringbearer at my reception. I'm talking about having 5 or more. I"ve seen 10 kids at a wedding before. It was too crazy. But, other then that. No children under the age of 15. We don't have any young kids in our family. But, my Fi and I have friends w/ children. They are not invited.



When my parents attended weddings when I was young, a family member watched me. Usually one of my aunts or one of my grandparents. I would often sleep over w/ my cousins and have a fun night.



I completly would understand if a parent declined b/c they did not have a babysitter. But, people getting upset b/c they feel the bride should

Children At Weddings?
I've been working with kids for well over 12 years and all my friends have kids (in other words, I LOVE kids). However, I chose not to have children at my wedding and every single friend found their own babysitter and attended my wedding and stayed for the entirety of the reception. No one complained and certainly no one expected me to pay for a sitter (although I did put on my wedding website a link to KidsPlay, a drop-off babysitting service that was super-close to the site of my wedding and reception). You have a right to invite whomever you want and of course, you don't need to put "no kids" on your invite. Just address the invitation to the adults! They'll get it.
Reply:I had a preacher once who on the wedding invitation requested that "no small children were to attend". No one who had children went to his wedding and no one was any worse for it. If you don't want them ther just say it on the invitation. Make the age limit very clear though and stick to it cause if you let one peson come with their 2 year old you will end up with everyone bringing their kids cause you told one person yes.
Reply:I would never go to a wedding that stated my children where not invited. I would also never ask the bride to pay for babysitting!! That is just rediculous!! Parents who bring their children to weddings understand we will not be staying there all night long! We go eat visit stay for a lil bit of the party and leave. One of the best things at weddings is watching all the lil kids dancing!!! Before you can get all the adults to break free who do you see out jumping around on the dance floors...children...they help get the dancing going. Plus it is great to watch the bride or groom dancing with a lil one. You are getting married..this is a start of a family...not to say that all familys have children but most couples see their family complete with children. So I think children should go to weddings. Now if you have an unruley child that screams the whole time then you should get a babysitter and not take them. No parent wants to be rememberd as the person that brought the kid that wouldnt shut up and takes attention away from the whole wedding!! And those parents already know not to bring their child. But I have good children and I wouldn't go to any wedding that told me I didn't have the option to bring my children.
Reply:Well, personally I love seeing children at weddings! If I ever get married, I actually want all the kids to go!

That said, everyone's different, and if somebody chooses a child-free wedding, that is their right, and should be respected. I think the bride and groom paying for a babysitter is ridiculous, if someone has children it is up to them to either find a suitable babysitter or not attend something if children are not invited! And as you said, 8 weeks is plenty of time to arrange care for the kids. The only time I would say it's appropriate for the bride to pay is if she's going to get upset at someone for not attending if they can't find/afford a babysitter. Then that would be up to her. Otherwise, no way!
Reply:i think that kiddies at a wedding r a good thing cuz after you get married you kinda make babies so

every wedding i went to had kids of all ages at them

but the bride should NOT pay for any sitter

the only reason children should not go to a night wedd is cuz of drinking and babies and kids with (A) drinks r not a good mix
Reply:I was never allowed to attend weddings as a child either. I've never heard of people expecting the bride to provide a sitter. I've attended two weddings since my daughter was born, and got a sitter for each wedding, and cut out early. I agree with you that guests should respect the couple's wishes, whether that be regarding children, attire, or whatever.



On the other hand, my friends are parents - their children are as much a part of my life as they are. These people are family to me, and I anticipate them all being a part of my wedding, kids and adults. I do not wish to put them in the predicament of having to find a sitter, just for me. It will be a family affair.



I guess it just depends on where a guests, and a couple's, priorities are.
Reply:I do not think the bride should pay for child care. But also I do not see anything wrong with children going to weddings. I went to many weddings as a child. My daughters are 3 and have been to a few weddings, and were in 2 of them. I know that if my daughters are not invited a long with me I would not attend. But if you do not want children at your wedding then clearly state it on your invitation.
Reply:I have a daughter who just turned one and over the past year my husband and I have attended two weddings.. both without our daughter. Personally, I think very young children who might cry should stay at home. I think that during a ceremony, crying and screaming children are a distraction. I've never heard of having the bride pay for a babysitters tab... I think that anyone who requests that is out of their mind...
Reply:I am getting married in Feb and hving many children attend. The more the merrier. Why cant children go to weddings? I actually havent heard of that i attended many as a child?? I just dont understand why your friends and there children cant celebrate your happy moment??
Reply:I would never expect the bride to provide a babysitter for my children. If I received an "adults only" invitation, I would probably just choose to not attend.



Personally, I attended numerous weddings/receptions when I was growing up. They are some of my fondest memories of friends and family. We had a lot of children at our own wedding...probably close to 20. No one was disruptive during the ceremony and the reception was a ton of fun!