Wedding Guest List: How to Politely Tell Guests That Children Aren’t Invited to Your Wedding

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to add children to the wedding guest list is a personal choice made by the bride and groom. Yes, it can be a tough decision that not everyone will understand, but luckily there’s an easy way to manage possible issues that might arise. Just follow these tips to make the message crystal clear that it’s an adults-only event.

• Addressing the wedding invitation to adults only is the easiest way to indicate that children are not invited. To make it even clearer, you can include the names or number of guests invited on the RSVP card.

• To make it very clear from the beginning that your wedding is adults-only, address the invitation envelope with the guests’ exact names. Take it one step further by writing in their exact names on the response card (in the same manner you addressed them on the outer envelope). From there, guests will simply check “will attend” or “will not attend,” and it will be obvious that “Mr. and Mrs. Michael Smith” are the guests invited.

• According to wedding etiquette experts, it’s in poor taste to write “no children” on the invitations. Instead, use the RSVP card to indicate that it will be an ”adult reception.’’ Another way to convey this message is to write the following on the RSVP card: “We have reserved __ seats in your honor,” and simply include the number of adults invited.

• Your wedding website is a great place to add catchall information about your special day, including wedding registries, transportation options, directions, dress code and other pertinent details. This is also an appropriate place to mention that your wedding ceremony and reception are adults-only and recommend some babysitting options in the area.

• In order to allow all guests, including parents, a relaxing evening we have chosen for our wedding day to be an adult-only occasion. We hope this advance notice means you are still able to join the celebration and will enjoy having the evening off!
• To give all our guests the opportunity to let their hair down and have a good time without worrying about little eyes and ears we kindly request no children.

• While we love to watch the children run and play, this is an adults-only kind of day.

• Be prepared to give your friend the names of several babysitters or caregivers if necessary. In doing so, your guest should have ample time to secure a baby-sitter and will appreciate your offer to help solve her challenge.