| Not all couples would want children on their | | | | when you invite one person, it is possible that he |
| wedding especially if they want a solemn | | | | she will bring along his/her partner, and if he/she is |
| ceremony and an elegant dinner with guests | | | | married, chances are the kids will come along. So |
| minus the hassles and embarrassments brought | | | | it's better to mention your plan and reason ahead |
| about by children. If you are thinking of having | | | | if you don't want to get those unwanted stares |
| children in your wedding- from the ceremony to | | | | and negative comments. |
| the reception- you may want to plan this | | | | If your budget allows you to add extra headcount |
| together with the parents of those kids. | | | | and extra expenses, it may be possible to |
| In most wedding ceremonies, there are children | | | | consider children in your wedding. There are |
| who participate in the wedding procession- the | | | | care-taking or nanny services that are built for |
| ring bearer and flower girls or junior bridesmaids | | | | special occasions like weddings. If you can afford |
| as well as their counterparts, the junior | | | | to hire this type of service because it will break |
| groomsmen. The inclusion of children in weddings | | | | your heart to exclude the kids in your family as |
| usually depends on the tradition and culture that | | | | well as your guests' kids, you may do so with |
| couples have. If you're from the West, children | | | | careful planning. |
| may be left out of the wedding march and only | | | | Talk to the parents ahead and tell them that their |
| the adults can participate. In a sense, the inclusion | | | | kids will have a special area during the reception. |
| of children in the wedding march may be | | | | During the ceremony, it is the parents who would |
| unnecessary for most folks because of the | | | | need to care and look out for their kids, so it's |
| presence of the grown-ups. | | | | important to tell them that their kids should be |
| If you worry about children behaving badly on | | | | given enough nap time and preparation [to avoid |
| your wedding and you don't want those | | | | tantrums and mood explosions] before the |
| tantrum-stricken kids wailing around the church or | | | | ceremony starts. |
| the reception venue, you may want to include a | | | | At the reception, it would be a bad idea to |
| note on your invitation that you want a solemn | | | | separate the kids from the rest of their families |
| wedding and "sorry, strictly no kids allowed". Make | | | | by putting them in a separate room. Some people |
| this a firm decision especially if you don't want | | | | would do this, but it's not going be a good |
| any children ruining your special day. But be aware | | | | experience for everyone especially when other |
| that even if you're close to the parents of those | | | | people are involved [paid caretakers]. A good way |
| kids and some of them are from your own clan, | | | | to put fun here is to designate junior tables for |
| you'll definitely get negative feedbacks about this | | | | the children where they can sit, eat and play. You |
| decision. | | | | can provide coloring books, puzzles and loot bags |
| If you're still thinking at this point if children can | | | | just for them. |
| cause some hassles and may wreak havoc during | | | | If you want this kind of set-up but you don't |
| the ceremony and/or the reception, you may ask | | | | have the budget for the caretakers, you can ask |
| your family to help you decide. If it is difficult to | | | | some of your friends to usher and take care of |
| leave out the children in the family as well as your | | | | the children. Teenagers in the family or your |
| friends' and guests' children, you should consider | | | | siblings can help out. Besides, it's only a day that |
| some other factors such as your budget and | | | | they will do this favor for you and your partner. |
| your partner's concerns about this issue. | | | | Thoughtful planning is important in weddings. |
| Some couples who are stuck with a limited | | | | Leaving out your guests' children may be a bit of |
| budget would opt to leave out the children and | | | | a pain, but if you have reasons for doing so, |
| would make a note on their RSVP invitation about | | | | simply tell your guests right away so they too |
| it. It may sound rude, but if you tell your guests | | | | can plan ahead of where to leave their kids. If |
| earlier, before the wedding itself, it is more | | | | you can accommodate kids in your wedding, |
| understandable than just jotting it down on the | | | | patience and some helping hands are needed. |
| invites. A text message or a short phone call to | | | | Whatever your decision may be, planning ahead |
| your guests won't cost too much compared to | | | | will help you and your guests to prevent any |
| additional headcount for the reception. Normally | | | | miscommunication and hurt feelings. |