Invitation Wording When Children are Not Invited
So, you’re wondering how to word your wedding invitations to ensure your guests know that their kids are not invited? Here’s some tips!
Many couples wrestle with the question of whether or not to include children on their guest list. Maybe their chicken fingers meal will take you way over budget, or you want your guests to truly enjoy a night off without their kids! Whatever the reason, it’s your wedding, and therefore, your decision! If you have ultimately decided not to (due to budget concerns, venue limitations, or just because you want to have an intimate wedding and reception without the pitter patter of little feet running around), then you’ll be faced with how to word that on your invitations. Here are a few wording options for you…
My favourite wording is short and to the point: “Adult reception to follow.” You can also include the line: “We have reserved _____ seat(s) for you,” on your reply card, and simply write in the number of adults you’re inviting, so when your guests receive the invitation, they know how many people are invited.
If it’s not sitting right with you yet, here are some other wording ideas:
“Respectfully, an adult only occasion”
“We are unable to accommodate children at our wedding”
“Please note, this will be an adults-only 19+ celebration”
“We would like to respectfully ask that our wedding is for adults only. And hope that parents will enjoy a night off”
“Regrettably on this occasion, we feel that it is not suitable for children”
If kids are permitted at your wedding ceremony, then let your guests know! "Your children are welcome at our ceremony. The reception is reserved for guests 16 and up. Thanks for understanding.”
Another suggestion I often suggest to my couples when they want to keep “adults only” off of their invitation, is to add a note to your wedding website. Here, you can be as wordy as you like: “We would like to respectfully say that our wedding is for adults only, and hope that parents will enjoy a night off!”
Ultimately, you don’t owe your guests an explanation about why you aren’t inviting their children. You shouldn’t feel bad for omitting them! In some situations, you’ll allow some children like those who’s parents are traveling a distance to attend your wedding, or the children in your wedding party. Whatever the reason or circumstance, it’s perfectly okay to simplify your guest list and omit children.
