Inviting Children to Your Wedding

Pros and Cons of Including Kids on Your Guest List

 

Children at WeddingsIroning out the guest list for your wedding is a daunting task. It’s only normal that you want to invite every single person in your life. Unfortunately, budgets and venue restrictions can make this impossible. After all, the more people you invite to your wedding, the more you will need to pay in catering and bar fees. Larger guests lists also require larger venues, which can be significantly pricier than smaller venues. Choosing who will and who will not get an invite can be stressful and time consuming. Trimming the guest list, however, is one task that cannot be ignored. One of the hardest choices that you will need to make when compiling your guest list is choosing whether or not you will invite children.

 

Cons

 

For those who have a very small budget, keeping children off the guest list is a quick and easy way to save money. If you come from a large family and have a lot of friends with children, the amount of kids at your wedding can add up quickly. Limiting your guests to only adults will cut down on the space you will need as well as food costs.

 

Another advantage to excluding children from your wedding day plans is that it opens up your venue choices. Holding your reception at a winery, nightclub or bar is a small, intimate, and significantly cheaper way to celebrate. However, venues of that nature usually come with an age restriction. However, if you are looking for a reception that is smaller and can last later into the evening, not inviting children may be the best choice for you.

 

Pros

 

Leaving kids off the guest list obviously comes with a few challenges. First of all, there are probably a lot of little ones in your life that you may want to be there. Nieces, nephews, cousins, and even children of friends can steal your hearts. Having them present to celebrate your wedding may warm your heart and create life long memories. If there are a lot of kids in your life whom you love dearly, it may be worth spending the extra money to have them there with you.

 

Another problem that may come with choosing not to invite children to your wedding is unwanted family drama. Unfortunately, its impossible to make everyone happy, and leaving kids off the guest list might end up rubbing some of your friends and family the wrong way. After all, finding babysitters can be difficult and expensive and many people consider wedding receptions to be family oriented events.

 

If you are worried about what to say to people when they ask if you will be having children at your wedding, the best way to handle the question is to be honest. If you decide that there is simply not room in your budget to invite children, explain just that. After all, most people understand how constrictive budgeting a wedding can be. Explaining to people that your venue does not allow children is an easy out.

 

Only you can decide if having children at your event is the right move for you. The choice all depends upon your budget, your relationship with children, and your venue. Once you have weighed the pros and cons and made your choice, all you need to do is inform your guests. The best way to do this is to explain on your invitations whether or not children are invited. Do not let anyone’s reaction to your choice dissuade you. Your wedding should be a perfect evening that you will always remember fondly. Whether or not that evening includes children is only your choice.

 

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