1. Should you Print “Adults Only” on the Invitation

The Knot: You shouldn’t feel guilty for not wanting children at your wedding. But take that extra step to specify that your wedding is adults only by writing it front and center on the invitation and feelings will get hurt for such a head-on approach. Having a child-free wedding can be a very sensitive issue to some, especially for out-of-town family members and close friends. For a more tactful take, have family, wedding party members and friends spread the word to guests so they have lots of time to secure a babysitter.

My Take: I disagree. At the bottom of your wedding invitation it should let guests know several things.

-That there is a reception to follow
-That the wedding is adults only (if it is)
-What the wedding attire is

That being said, if you have an additional insert in your wedding invitation suite, you can add it there instead but it does need to be present somewhere on the invitations. Please don’t expect your family or friends to call all your guests with children to explain your wedding is adults only.

2. Do Properly Address the Invitation

The Knot: To make it clear from the start that your wedding is adults only, address your invitations to exactly who is invited, or some guests with children might assume their whole family is invited. You can also go the extra mile and write in their exact names on the response card (just like you addressed them on the outer envelope), and then all they’ll have to do is check “will attend” or “will not attend.” That way, it will be clear that “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith” are the only guests invited.

3. Do Feel Free to Put a Note on Your Wedding Website

The Knot: Your wedding website is a place to put catchall information about your wedding, like your registries, transportation options, dress code and other pertinent items you wouldn’t necessarily share on your formal invitation. This is an appropriate place to also mention that your wedding ceremony and reception are adults only and recommend any babysitting options in the area.

My Take: I wholeheartedly agree. A well oiled wedding website with all the pertinent information for guests – like childcare, high altitude awareness, hotel blocks, other weekend activities – is key. Modern wedding websites even have apps and other very useful technology to keep guests informed and excited about your pending nuptials.

Photo Credit: Koroko Photography

4. Do Have a Flower Girl and Ring Bearer at Your Ceremony (If You Want!)

The Knot: It’s fine to have flower girls, ring bearers, junior bridesmaids and junior groomsmen at your ceremony. But if you want them just at the ceremony and not at the reception, chances are they’ll feel like they’re missing out on the fun part (they’re kids after all!). In that case, it’s good to come up with a plan to treat them after the ceremony or cocktail hour. “Hire a dedicated nanny service that’s licensed and insured to oversee a special kids room adjacent to your reception space,” say Amber Karson and Emily Butler of Karson Butler Events based in Washington, DC, and San Luis Obispo, California. “Parents can drop off their kids, check in when they need to and enjoy dinner with ease knowing that they’re nearby, should anything come up.” Work with your nanny service to plan special, age-appropriate activities like crafts and games, and plan meals that are kid friendly and fun, like a pizza-making class or a breakfast-for-dinner mini buffet.

My Take: Again, I agree! Throw a small kid-friendly party at one of the hotels or someplace adjacent to the wedding reception and let the children celebrate your special day – their way! In many of the reception spaces, that my couples select, the cost of dinner for youngsters can be $25-$45 per child. Use those dollars to hire a nanny, order mac+cheese and let the little ones party begin!

5. Don’t Make It an “Adults-Mostly” Reception

The Knot: While you can have children in your wedding party and still have an adults-only reception, be mindful not to bend the rules for other people with children. If you let some guests bring their families and not others, it might look like you hand selected which children were and weren’t invited—and that could lead to a pretty uncomfortable situation. Inviting children just to the ceremony won’t probably work either, since they might get upset having to say good-bye to their parents or if they see other guests going to the party when they have to go home or to a hotel.

My Take: Ultimately, I do feel it’s best to have an adults only wedding or to invite children to both the ceremony and reception but each couples situation is different and doesn’t always allow for that. If kids know they have something special just for them after the ceremony, some of these conflicts can be avoid. Often times it is the parents that are offended if you don’t handle the situation with grace and love. Weddings have a tremendous amount of dynamics, that need to be carefully considered, but in the end it is your day.

Photo Credit: L Elizabeth Events

6. Do Call Any Guests Who Assume Their Children Are Invited

The Knot: Hearing from family members who are questioning why your younger cousins, nieces and nephews aren’t allowed to come is normal. Address the sensitive issue right away by calling and explaining that you can’t invite everyone you’d like. You can blame it on the budget constraints (if that’s truly the case!) which often wards off further protests and avoids hurt feelings. But remember, you don’t have to give a lengthy explanation and can simply say that an adults-only wedding is a decision that you’ve made and leave it at that. “You aren’t going to please everyone, and that’s okay. Having or not having children at your wedding is a personal decision and one you and your partner made together,” Karson and Butler say.

My Take: Yes, take the time to call and let them know where you are at and be a good listener too.

7. Don’t Back Down

The Knot: “Be prepared that if there are some close family and friends who want their kids there, you may get push back,” Sozmen says. But like with other decisions you’re making, this is your day and you and your partner get to decide who’s invited to the wedding—period. Address the issue and upset parents with sensitivity, but don’t back down. If you have a truly angry guest on your hands (and their happiness means a great deal to you) it’s a kind gesture to look into hiring a babysitter to watch their children at home for the duration of the entire wedding, ceremony included. “As long as you’re thoughtful and helpful to the guests with kids, then that’s the best you can do,” Sozmen says. “If parents are still awkward and upset beyond that, then they probably shouldn’t come to your wedding altogether.”

My Take: Yes, exactly. Again a bit of understanding and kindness works wonders. Our guiding ideal: #LoveElevated