More and more couples are choosing to disinvite children from their nuptials. The reasons can vary: some do it because the venue is not child-friendly, others because of budget constraints, others because they want their guests to have a good time without distractions, and others because they want a calm, focused ceremony without disruptions.
This bride chose to uninvite her sister’s kids from her wedding since she knew they would most likely cause heaps of trouble. After their last visit to her house, the place was trashed, so she decided to ban her nieces and nephews from attending. But when she told her sister, she was called “unreasonable” and “unfair.”
A bride faced a dilemma about inviting her sister’s unruly kids to her wedding
Image credits: mverkhoturtseva/Envato (not the actual photo)
She felt they would ruin her big day, but when she confronted her sister about it, serious family drama ensued
Image credits: LightFieldStudios/Envato (not the actual photo)
Image credits: whatheduckf**k
Asking parents to leave children at home for weddings is reasonable, but it should be applied to all guests
When you’re planning a wedding, one of the first things to consider is the guest list. The people you’re probably least likely to want to see are your partner’s exes, that problematic uncle who acts inappropriately during family gatherings, and your biggest enemy from high school.
But for some couples, children are also included on the list of people not invited. Yet, as we already mentioned above, the reasons aren’t anything nefarious. Some people believe it’s easier for the couple, other guests, and even the children themselves if they don’t attend.
However, it’s not uncommon for guests to take the uninvitation the wrong way. Some parents might misinterpret a child-free wedding invitation as a sign that the couple either hates all children or dislikes their children in particular.
Image credits: halfpoint/Envato (not the actual photo)
As celebrity wedding planner Lisa Vorce explained to People, it’s one of the cons of having a child-free wedding. “A child-free event may unfortunately lead to some of your friends and family being slightly offended, as often times the child-free rule is interpreted as 'you don’t like my children,' or it may just put them in a position where they simply cannot attend due to lack of child care.”
That’s why planners and other experts suggest couples don’t make exceptions: if you’re having a wedding without children, that should apply to all the guests. That way, no parents feel singled out or are insulted on behalf of their kids.
Providing childcare at the wedding is a way to make parents happy and focused on the ceremony
One consequence of deciding to uninvite children from your wedding is that the parents might choose not to attend. And it might not be out of spite or anger, either. As Vorce mentioned, some parents might be unable to find childcare for that day, although the uninvite in itself might sting, too.
One solution that might make everyone happy is providing childcare at the wedding. Well, it might not make the couple as happy as it would cost them extra money, but it’s generally what experts recommend when planners want to please the newlyweds, other guests, the parents, and the kids.
Image credits: Wavebreakmedia/Envato (not the actual photo)
After all, kids usually enjoy festivities such as weddings. They make great memories with their family there, and add that extra factor of adorableness to the photographs. If newlyweds want to give parents the time to get immersed in the festivities and focus on the ceremony without worrying about their kids, an on-site nanny and a kids' corner are a great choice.
Kiana from Child Care On-Site told The Wedding Ring that caregivers like her make sure that the kids are entertained while adults celebrate. “Children can be as involved in the wedding as the happy couple would like, but then when it’s ‘party time,' children can be whisked away for their own fun!” she says.
These kinds of children's areas often include crafting activities, games, and calm, quiet activities during speeches. Some even offer to support children through breakfast so parents can have some extra time to shake off the night before.
Some commenters thought that, given the children’s behavior history, the bride was right to disinvite them
Some commenters thought that, given the children’s behavior history, the bride was right to disinvite them
Others thought it was unfair to exclude only them and suggested the couple have a child-free wedding
