Young Children at Wedding

We are doing no kids at all... some of our guests will have babies (under a year...) but they will have plenty of heads up to get a sitter/family member, and if they are breastfeeding.... pump! Lol, not rude at all, but moms who breastfeed and go to work pump, or if they had plans of their own...

I think you've been accommodating, yet firm. It's your day, as long as you aren't being mean about it, people should respect your wishes.

We are also having a formal, evening wedding, and I want everyone to enjoy themselves, without any screaming, crying, or parents needing to leave early for "bed time"... We love kids, but that day isn't the time or place...

I 100% get where you're coming from. We ran into this as my FSIL got pregnant after we got engaged. We did not want any kids at the wedding at all which meant we excluded my 10 younger nieces and nephews. We only have 80 people total, so another 10 kids would of had a huge impact.

It was all fine, till my FSIL had her baby in May, and just started making demands about that she needs a breastfeeding spot and where she has to sit. I understand that the baby is breastfeeding, but how it was handled and demanded is less than ideal.

We are worried the baby will cry at the ceremony, but I do understand that the baby is just a baby. Hopefully they'll just be as respectful as possible. Don't let it ruin your day.

I don’t think you are being rude because even though you weren’t planning on having young children you were willing to make an exception. As others have said the mom may still be breastfeeding at nine months so may not be able to leave the baby for more then a couple of hours. So by saying no to her child you may be saying no to her coming.

And I think it’s totally find that they bring the baby to the ceremony and reception as long as they are respectful and leave the room if needed. I was at a wedding of a good friend when my daughter was about 6 months old. I sat at the end of a row near the back and when I noticed she was getting fussy I left. It was no big deal. I was also at another wedding when my son was maybe 4 months old. He slept through the whole thing.

I think you are being more than accommodating! At the end of the day, it is your wedding and if you don't want children under the age of 3 than there is nothing wrong with that! It is not like the concept of not having children at your wedding is something new, personally I don't understand why some people get so offended, they should think of it as mom and dad's night out!

We are having a no kid wedding, but there will be 4 kids there, my niece and nephew (7 and 4) who are our flower girl and ring bearer and my cousin from Scotland's children (3 and 9 mo). The only reason my cousins kids are allowed is because they are flying half way across the world for this. We have hired babysitters on stand-by to come and pick up the children after dinner (or when they start to get fussy or tired) so that the parents can stay and enjoy themselves.

Not rude at all! Kids attention spans are short, and you cant blamethem for that. At some point they will have had enough, and at that point it puts a damper on many people's evenings. The only child under 3 we are allowing us ourflower girl, but ahe will be going to a babysitters after the ceremony! l

No. Personally, we are doing a child free Wedding, but it’s perfectly fine to set an age limit for Children.

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That makes sense. I can see not wanting to have a baby cry in the middle of the ceremony.

View quoted message I just personally don’t think a black tie affair is a place for babies. Even a young toddler I personally wouldn’t bring. The only toddlers we have aren’t in our bridal party and are immediate family they are 4 and 6 so not that young.
As for the babies I care more about the ceremony since we are having it filmed and wouldn’t want to hear any crying over our vows. It’s a small intimate chapel and the only way in and out is walking down the aisle (there’s no side exits). Just wouldn’t bring my baby for the ceremony out of respect (I mean it’s only 1 hour!)

View quoted message Yeah I can understand that but then I would not go to the ceremony and I would just attend the reception. It’s not a place for a baby that can cry. As parents you make sacrifices when you have kids. If it’s not immediate family I would not bring my baby or if I couldn’t go I wouldn’t go out of respect for the bride and groom.

A 9 month old might still be breastfeeding, as Kelly suggested. Usually newborns up to 6 months are exclusively breastfed (if the mom is breastfeeding). If the parents are invited they might assume anyone under 1 year old is also included and they'll plan their evening around it (i.e. take breaks to feed, if baby gets fussy they'll step outside to calm down. They might leave earlier if the baby isn't having it or if the reception is cutting into nap time. I can see why you might want to omit young children so the parents can have more fun, but most likely a new parent won't want to be separated for a night yet.

The issue you might encounter is that children under a year old might still be breastfeeding. You can't really tell a new mom she can't bring her newborn. I mean..the plus side is that babes in arms don't take up an extra seat, mom and dad will provide food, so really..,.its no skin off your back if they come.

Is there any reason you don't want kids under 3 other than "too young"?

Lol, I'm opposite. I'd rather have teeny tiny babies who might cry here and there, than toddlers and young kids tearing around.