Weddings can be a fantastic way to celebrate with a multi-generational community – however, having said that, you absolutely do not have to be a “child hater” to desire a No Kids Allowed wedding ceremony.
If the idea of children running around on your day brings up dreadful visuals of nagging, whining, tearing and bothersome infants, you could decide to put your foot down and declare your wedding an adults-only zone.
Some might not appreciate the notion of having to hire a babysitter for the night, but if you play your cards right, you just might get away with pulling a party your friends and family will thank you for many years to come.
At the end of the day, this is your special day. And if ruling out kids off the invited list means you’ll get the wedding of your dreams – by all means, you should 100% go for it.
Here’s how you do it:
Do Not Have Your Wedding At A Bouncy Castle
You will find that your guests will be a lot more understanding of the no-kids rule if the limitation is justified by the location of the ceremony. While you are more than welcome to declare your love in any place you see fit, it’s in your best interest to remember that throwing a cocktail reception at a local museum or an official ceremony at a high-end hotel ballroom is much more understandable than having a zoo-themed wedding and denying children entry. This way, your guests could not arrive with sour faces – they will understand there is a time and place for everything.
Let Everyone Know Ahead Of Time
If you are honest, upfront and notify your guests ahead of time of your decision to have a kid-free celebration, there is a lesser chance of people misunderstanding and arriving at the wedding with their toddlers.
To jump over this hurdle and awkward encounter, it is best to let people know about your plan from the very moment you send out the save the date notice. That way, the parents invited would have enough time to make other arrangements for their children.
Also, keep in mind that not everyone pays attention to the fine print on an invitation. Just to be on the safe side, it might be in good taste to also send an email, call or text to those invited who have children. A message along the lines of: “It’s black tie, and we’re not having kids, but let us know if there is anything we can do to help out with little Johnny,” could go a long way.
Make An Exception When Needed
If you have a friend who is a single parent, is making a long trip overseas just for your special day, or a mother nursing who cannot be apart from her child, consider bending the rule. You cannot have a special friend or family member missing out on being there for you just because you fear something that might not even disturb your wedding in the slightest. And don’t worry about other parents being upset, a simple explanation about the unusual circumstances would do.
