Do I invite every kid to the wedding?

Question

I have family coming from out of state (OOS)to my wedding and they have kids of their own (my second cousins). We are having an adult reception (except for the kids in the wedding party). My mother feels that we need to allow their kids too so that their parents have a better chance of attending. My question is then am I obligated to invite my fiance's second cousins who are also children but live in the area and their parents are going to be able to get them a babysitter? Hiring a babysitter for my second cousins is out of the question b/c their parents will not trust their kids with someone they have never met and we cannot even think of someone who will not be invited that we trust that can watch them. We want an adult reception, and I am more than understanding that my OOS cousin's will need to bring their kids, but if we then have to open it up to every other second cousin that I have and that my fiance has, that will be too many children

Answer 1

Only kids named Emily. ***Best Answer***

Answer 2

I suggest youtalk this over with your fiance and get her opinion on how her side of the family would feel about things.
I understand mothers and fathers not trusting just anyone to watch their children. Maybe it would be possible to have an onsite babysiter in another area near the reception. Where the parents may go and check on the children. Or maybe a volenteeering family member to watch over the parents children for a while so the parents can attend the party. Even just for a little while and then that family member can join the party after a couple of hours of baby sitting.
Also it depends o the age of the children maybe there is a teenager in the family that would like to make some extra cash and watch a few of the little ones. If there are a few responsable teenageers they could have a sleep over at one of the in town family members house and watch all the little ones.
ummmm Let's see what else. ???
o.k. how about a way older family member that won't be at the party or for very long and ca go and watch the little ones for a bit.
Then there is also Haveing children at the recieption too. It just depends o were the Reception is goingto be at too.
I always say for a celibrtion of such greatness the more the merrier.Where the Children and parents with children will only be there until a certain time and all those who have babysitters or will be staying party on!
All the weddings I have been to Children were all there and they also made the party so much more fun. My son dancing with his Great Aunt was so sweet at his 2nd cousins wedding. Memories I and they will have for the rest of time.
Well good luck and Congrads.

Answer 3

You are not "obligated" to invited anyone you don't want to...period. I think you can invite the OOS children without offending the in town families who do have the in town resources for babysitting for the evening. You might want to consider having a separate room/area at the reception for the OOS children, who will be bored out of their minds, and more apt to cause and get into mischief. Have kid friendly food, crayons, toys, a video/dvd with tv, even nintendo if the kids are old enough--which is why I'd first see if there's an extra room somewhere to put the children, that way they can be loud and not disturb the wedding guests. Ask the parents about this, I know when we travel with our children, we have a whole stash of electronic entertainment with us, so you might not have to rent/buy/otherwise procure any of this stuff, the parents may bring it with them. Have a sitter there, but the sitter will be on site, which will make the parents feel much better. Even rent some walkie talkies or make sure they each have cell phones (that work--sometimes buildings make cell reception difficult), so that the parents have total peace of mind. You don't have to do this, but it would be a lovely gesture for the family who is travelling from out of town. I think you're right that the family who is in town will be fine, but make sure you explain that to them, you don't want to cause any ruffled feathers, or make them feel like you're giving "your" family preferential treatment. Just explain that you're doing this for the family who is travelling from out of town, and leave it at that.

Answer 4

Adult only would be the best solution BUT we hired several sitters at my daughters reception. They were in a room with all the fun things kids like. Approximately 15 children were there and they had a far better time than if they had been at reception and it gave the parents a chance to enjoy. We paid each young lady $10.00 perhour and they were there approximately 5 hours. Worked out great for everyone

Answer 5

Yes, I don't think there is such a thing as "too many" children; they help make the celebration fun. I agree with your relatives who won't want to leave their kids with a strange babysitter; I wouldn't either.
It's really special to have people, including kids, of all ages join in the celebration of your becoming a married couple.
To tell the truth, if I were invited to a wedding and was asked to NOT bring the kids, we would not be attending.

Answer 6

I even have the comparable catch 22 situation,and that i do no longer prefer to do the babysitting room. i've got come to the top that if the parents won't be able to leave there teenagers for six hrs with a babysitter of their determination then they have the issue. What I even have desperate to do is in basic terms contain the toddlers who're in the marriage social gathering. 2 flower females who're my 7 and 2yr previous nieces and then a hoop bearer who's 5. My fiances kin has 25 teenagers under the age of 9. so i'm no longer letting some people deliver teenagers whilst different won't be able to, i do no longer prefer to could manage parents saying why can her youngster come yet mine won't be able to, so i'm doing over 18 till in the marriage. No exceptions. There are some toddlers i prefer to ask, yet i'm in basic terms going to keep myself the aggravation and say no toddlers.

Answer 7

I actually had adult only reception printed on my reception cards so that people get the hint. I gave everybody enough notice so that they can find someone to watch thier children on my big day.

Receptions are no place for kids, the last wedding I was at they were running around and were all over the venetian table.

Answer 8

It is fine to invite only wedding party children and out of state children, as long as you are consistent with that guideline you've created for yourselves. Once you start making exceptions, then feelings will be hurt.

Do not print "adult reception" on anything. It's not proper. If the NAME of the person is on the envelope, they are invited. If it is not, they are not invited.

Answer 9

Well i can see the out of state people bringing there kids but the locals no they know there shouldnt be kids there but unless you say no they will bring them any way and saying no to them might not make them come so let them decide unless you want them mad but some people just dont get it and dont care and will bring them any way so unless you put in the invite no kids youll have to deal with it we all go through it good luck

Answer 10

Honestly this happened to me at a friends wedding we usually don't bring our kids because we want to party! But at this one my kids would have been with all cousins similar ages invite said adult only so I didn't bring my kids find out when we get there that there are kids and it wasn't just because they were out of town...I was peeved but we ended having a good night! with no kids the other parents where complaining because they had to leave early because of cranky kids...So i think I would see if you can hire a sitter and if you can afford the extra mouths to feed other than that say no kids and stick to your guns.....

Answer 11

If it is that pressing, maybe just set up a small room for the children. However, you dont HAVE to invite anyone that you dont want to. Its your (you and your fiance's) night make it the way the two of you want it. Congrats!