Invitations Etiquette
- Question:
- Our invitation reads "Adult Reception." I just received an e-mail from a friend telling me she is bringing her kids. How do I explain to her that I don't want children at my wedding? Or do I just let her bring them?
- Answer:
"Adult Reception" on the invites should have done the trick. However, some people inevitably don't get it and bring their little darlings anyway. Before the wedding you have a few choices. Call your friend and explain why you don't want kids at your wedding. Have some good reasons ready. (Explaining that your wedding rental package doesn't come with a jungle gym just won't cut it.) Maybe the reception hall is not kid proof, with breakables at every turn, or you're planning a post-reception party and would hate for them to have to leave early just as the party is getting started. Your second option is to arrange for a babysitter for your separation-anxious parents. See if you can find someone who'd be willing to come to the hotel and watch the kids for a few hours. Your generous offer should make your guests happy and keep your reception kid-free. If someone unexpectedly shows up at your wedding with a child, however, you'll just have to be gracious about it.
- When do we announce our elopement?
- Should I announce my small second wedding?
- Must we invite my stepmom if my dad can't attend?
- How do I keep my reception adults-only?
- How can I cut guest dates?
- How do I put both sets of parents on the invite?
- How do we request non-black tie attire?
- How do I word ceremony-only invites?
- We're doctors—how do we use our titles?
- Can we specify an end time?
- Is it ok to print envelopes on a computer?
- When should I send out-of-state invites?
- Can I include my deceased father on my invitations?
- Should I leave my father's name off of my invites?
- Must I include my in-laws on the invites?
- How do we explain that there's no dinner?
- Are nuptial newsletters necessary?
- Can invites say "no dinner" for a late ceremony?
- Should my parents get an invite?
- Must invites include groom's parents' names?
- What should go in my wedding programs?
- Must I send rehearsal dinner invites?
- Can registry info go with invites?
Submit Your Own Etiquette Question
Have an etiquette question you'd like our editors to answer?
- Where should RSVPs arrive?
- When do I send invites and save-the-date cards?
- What do I write on invites for a second wedding?
- How early should I send out my invitations?
- Is one invite ok for ceremony and reception?
- How do I phrase my Brady Bunch invites?
- How do I address professional guests' invites?
- If we pay without help, what do invites say?
- How do I word my invitations?
- Can I use printed labels on my invites?
- Must we mail invites for brunch?
- When should we put our engagement announcement in the newspaper?
- How can I turn down my mom's offer to address the invitations?
- How do I refer to the groom's stepfather on the invitation?
- Can we change our embrassing monogram?
- Do I have to provide postage on the RSVP cards?
- Should we put the name of the person who contributes the most money first on the invitations?
- Is it okay to have guests reply by email?
- When writing my thank-you notes, what do I say about the hideous vase my aunt gave me?
- How long do I have to write thank-you notes for my wedding presents?
- My invitations came from the printer and they forgot to list the time, what can I do?
- What should a couple do if their guests aren't sending in their RSVPs on time?
- How do I send a late invitation?
- Are inner envelopes required?
- Is it okay to have a B list if I don't get enough "yes" responses?
