Wedding etiquette?

Question

My sister is recently engaged and we recently attended a cousins wedding in which people brought toddlers who cried loudly through the whole ceremony causing people to strain to hear. She has considered having a nursery at the chapel but some people dont trust strangers to watch their kids.What is the proper way to ask people not to bring there kids to the wedding?

Answer 1

you can either put it on the invitation that its for adults only or provide a nursery

but be prepared for people not to follow the rules

Answer 2

Even if I put a polite statement in the invitations that made it clear the ceremony was "adults only," I've seen too many people ignore this rule because they think, "My little angel won't act out." So I would suggest providing a nursery, regardless. Also, if still planning a location, perhaps you could try to find a church that has a "crying room" - a room that is sealed off from the sanctuary with a clear glass window, so that sound does not escape the room, but there are speakers and a large glass window so parents can see what is happening. Then have the ushers seat anyone who arrives with children in this area.

Answer 3

You include a card along with the invitation that says this:
Adults Only Please

Then, you hire a teenager or adult to watch the nursery. Tell the coordinator or ushers to be very firm about this rule. When or if they see someone coming in with a child of about 7 or under, have them tell the guests that this is a nursery has been provided for their children and offer to escort them there. If the guests act like they don't want to do that, tell them, then we're sorry, but you'll need to stay out here in the foyer with them. The wedding is being professionally videotaped and that is why they put adults only on the invitations. (because they didn't want noise issues on the tape with children).

If they get offended, oh well. It was rude of them to ignore the adults only on the invite!
At the very least, the ushers or coordinators could go into the ceremony and ask the parents to take them out.

Answer 4

Flat out put something in the invites that say - No children allowed at the ceremony. Make it clear and make it apply to ALL children unless you have a ring bearer.

My sister-in-law just got re-married and most of her friends have toddlers. She put that wording on her invites and made sure to call people to tell them not to bring kids to the ceremony. She even went as far as to provide the name of a Nanny service that would send someone out to watch my child during the ceremony and also offered to set up a 'daycare' situation where ALL the toddlers excluded from the ceremony could be kept together in 1 room with 3 or 4 caretakers/relatives.

I was a little offended that 'my little angel' was BANNED from the wedding.... I did consider not going to the wedding at all...but then, I warmed up to the idea when I saw other people's kids behaving badly at another venue.

Answer 5

You can address the invitation only to the parents...don't add "and family"
You can also let people know by word of mouth that children under a certain age are not invited.

Or you can have the nursery, which is a GREAT idea and when the parents come in let them know that there is a nursery available for kids under 4 and that parents are allowed to stay in the nursery with the kids...Most people will be okay with it if it is not a long ceremony and their children aren't too young.

Your sister should be prepared for people not to come, however, sometimes it's difficult to find a babysitter.

Answer 6

Well first of all it's her/his wedding if people don't want to leave their kid's in a nursery then they don't have to come. Weddings are a special occasions and they only happen once, if not a couple times in life. State on the invitations that kid's under the age of ___ have a special nursery area to go in during the ceremony (also state thar you have trusted supervisors watching the kids that will ensure good quality caring-for).

On the other hand my first answer didn't really answer your question so here's one that does. I would state on the invitation that kids under the age of __ are asked not to attend the wedding.

I really hope this helps and I hope your sister's wedding turns out wonderful. Kids or no kids.

Answer 7

I suppose of it this manner: having a greenback dance at a marriage ceremony, a wishing good, a cash tree or anything is collaborating in a culture. Various cultures rejoice marriages on this means, and for lots of folks it is side of the joys and surely saves the difficulty of a travel to Macys. Including on your invitation a request for coins or items is an drawback of etiquette since you are implying, whether or not you imply to or no longer, that giving items (the items you choose, definitely) is needed of visitors. This difference would possibly look a little bit foolish since such a lot of folks would not dream of displaying up for a marriage ceremony and not using a present. But the present is some way of celebrating, no longer a demand. The invitation is supposed as a honor to the recipient, some way of claiming "I care ample approximately you to wish you at my marriage ceremony." Diminishing that message with a coins snatch is rude. In the top, I suppose etiquette is traditionally approximately demonstrating admire for folks greater than following a few ridiculous record. Chewing along with your mouth closed is well mannered since watching at part chewed meals is disgusting, no longer since Miss Manners says it is well mannered. It's some way of respecting your eating partners. In quick, traditions can also be performed in methods which are retaining with etiquette and in methods that are not. Let's take whatever in no way approximately cash: the complete garter toss. If the groom eliminates the garter, traces up his unmarried peers, and tosses it over his shoulder, that is fairly pleasant. On the opposite hand, the groom would stick his head up the bride's get dressed and root round even as the groomsmen make a ruckus. Granny is embarrassed and the minister is blushing. The father of the bride needs to kick the groom within the pants. It's nonetheless "conventional," however the groom is not demonstrating admire for his visitors. So. I say each concerns are identical and never distinguished.

Answer 8

I was at a graduation recently and the principal said at the beginning, "I know it's hard for little kids to sit patiently, so if your child starts to fuss, please take them out of the auditorium." The few people offended by this were far outnumbered by the rest of us who appreciated it. At some weddings an announcement like this would be acceptable after the guests are seated. It should be made by someone other than a family member or friend -- preferably someone from the church/temple/other setting.
Or if there is a printed program, a note could be included, but as if it states a policy of the clergy person or the church.

Answer 9

Well I guess I'm in the minority here. But I just think it's flat out rude. The better option is to have the nursery available. For those who stay seated during the ceremony with their screaming child...shame on them! Most parents are considerate and will discreetly walk out when this happens. For those who don't, you could always have an usher or two stading in back of the church. They can politely offer the nursery to that parent!

Answer 10

I am not having children at my wedding, except the flower girls and ring bearer but they are all over the age of 6. You dont put "and family" on the invite, because they means everyone. You can either spread the word before the wedding itself, such as I did, basically stating it was adults only besides the wedding party. And if they reply with kids, you just have to call and explain. It's hard because you know someone will be offended...but who cares, it's your (sisters) wedding and she can't do what everyone else says. Enjoy!

Answer 11

I will never understand why parents think it is okay to bring small children to weddings! They don't know what is going on, and always get restless and cry. I never took my kids to things that were for adults. If I couldn't get a sitter, I stayed home.

If people are offended when asked not to bring their little darlings, then too bad! The bride and groom are the important people, and the guests should respect their wishes.