Boat wedding - no kids allowed?

I've read dozens of q%26amp;a on whether kids should be allowed at weddings, and while I love kids of all ages, we are getting married on a boat that has a four hour cruise time, ending at about 11pm. Although the boat will dock for emergencies, I don't want the boat to have to stop every time a kid wants to go home. How do I word this on the invitation so that the parents and the kids don't get upset? If the reception were on land, I wouldn't have any problems...but given the boat situation, I really feel that kids shouldn't come on board unless their used to staying up late.



However, one other caveat: my aunt's daughter will be 7 and she will be the flower girl. She will definitely be there - will this make other guests uncomfortable?



Thanks in advance!

Boat wedding - no kids allowed?
I say more power to you. I can't stand being at a wedding and having a billion kids sliding all over the dance floor. It kills the atsmophere.



When I get married my invitations and RSVP cards will include: "At the request of the Bride and Groom, Adults Only Please!" And the invites will be addressed to "Mr. %26amp; Mrs. SO-and-so" not "Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so and Family." My mom did that when she got remarried in 1998 and it worked out fine.



It's your wedding. If other guest are uncomfortable because your flower girl is allowed then I would say they need to be reminded that this day is about you and your husband-to-be and not them. Nothing ruins the video of a great toast like a screaming toddler in the background. Other people forget that there is life outside of kids and that not everyone thinks their darling Suzie is so darling!
Reply:I would tell them that the wedding is rated MA+ not suitable for young children and ask that you are leaving it up to their discression whether or not to bring their child. They will understand, and most should be happy to have an excuse for a night out without kids,,.. I would.. if they're your friends and relatives, they'll understand. Good luck and congratulations!
Reply:is there a separate room that the kids can go in and play or sleep? maybe setting up a little area to keep them occupied or somewhere to lay down. Or just call up the people with kids and explain the situation and let them decide if they should or shouldn't bring the kids. They may want to leave young children at home but others that are old enough could go depending on the parents descision.

Good luck and God bless!
Reply:Getting married on a boat, is an awesome idea. Add a post-script, that the wedding and reception is to be on a boat, and a catered affair. For safety regulations, only X amount of people are allowed on board, and you regret that no kids apart from your flower girl will be permitted on board the boat.

I wish both yourself and your partner years of happiness.
Reply:I would say that you could construct a very polite paragraph that due to time constraints, location and the possibility of motion on the boat, guests are limited to adults only.



Anyone who takes exception to that can stay home. I think it seems perfectly reasonable. Every situation in life does not have to include children, that's what baby sitters are for.



The flower girl is an obvious exception.





I would be sure to have a package of non drowsy DRAMAMINE on board. Just in case someone has motion sickness.
Reply:Adults can feel the effects of motion sickness as well as children, but I would incluse a separate sheet with the invitations that says you regret that due to liability issues, we will be unable to accept children as guests about ship, and that you certainly hope this will not present a problem. You'll be sending out your invites a few months in advance, so there's plenty of time to get a babysitter.
Reply:i didnt attend my aunts wedding because of this and she was hurt called me and asked why i didnt come well sh^%26amp; i had a 3 month old at the time and hers was no special deal like on a 4 hour tour i would say to put something in your invite to all those who get motion sickness it wouldnt be a good idea and who is your flower girl supposed to hang around and have fun with ? the adults ya right she is going to be so bored i beg u to rethink this as kids can be the life of your party and the dance floor !
Reply:on the invention a 4 hr reception aboard the ........ the boat will re-dock at 9pm for a brief 15 min for all of those that do not wish on staying till midnight we will only dock one time thank you for your cooperation ...%26amp;....
Reply:You could stress the safety aspect of it and that it could be dangerous for kids. Indicate to parents that you would hate for their good time to be called short because kiddies are sea sick or want to go home. Anyhow, its your wedding and it should be how you want it. If anyone doesn't agree with your requests they can stay home.