When your Space and/or Budget is limited:
“Although we love your children, we regretfully cannot accommodate them at the venue due to restricted numbers.”
“[X] seats have been reserved in your honor. Please let us know if you will be joining us!”
“Due to limited venue space, adults only please.”
“Due to budget/space limitations, we are unable to extend the invitation to children.”
“Although we adore your children, due to budget/space constraints we ask that only adults attend.”
“Regrettably our chosen venue is unable to accommodate children. Professional babysitting will be provided at the hotel.”
Kick curfews to the curb!
“We love your kids but thought you might like a night off. Adults only please!”
“To allow all wedding guests, including parents, a night of relaxation and uninhibited revelry, we respectfully ask that no children attend the reception.”
“To give all our guests the opportunity to celebrate without having to worry about little eyes and ears, we politely request no children.”
“We hope you will understand our decision to make the wedding children-free, and take the opportunity to celebrate in style!”
“To allow all guests to relax and enjoy themselves, we have chosen to make our special day adults only. We thank you for your understanding.”
Including Bride & Grooms families newborns,nieces and nephews only:
“Children of immediate family only please.”
“Respectfully, an adult occasion (18+). Infants under 12 months welcome.”
“Due to limited numbers, we hope you appreciate that children are only invited if named.”
“Unfortunately we are only able to accommodate children in the wedding party at our reception.”
“We wish we could include all children but are unfortunately only able to invite immediate family.”
Add a Custom Card to Your Wedding Invitation Suite
If you want to be extra clear, make a note on the reception card or map. I don't find this awfully offensive as each person wants their wedding to be something different and most respect this. Each of these below are great examples to get let your guest(s) know they are the only one invited in the family. I particularly like this venue example, as a little white lie won't hurt anyone, just don't tell anyone. These examples along with double envelopes will help guests understand specifically who is invited and the little ones are not welcome.
“Leave the Kiddos at Home
While we adore your children, our venue does not have the room for your little ones.
Please make it a date night. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!”
“One Small Request
Dearest friends and family – our wedding ceremony and reception is for adults only. We thank you for respecting this request and look forward to seeing you all in June!”
“Please celebrate with us at an adults-only reception immediately following the ceremony.” ”Although we love to watch the children run and play, this is going to be an adults only kind of day.” ”Due to restrictions at our venue, children under the age of 16 are not able to attend.” ”Children are welcome at the ceremony but the reception is an adults-only affair.” ”Although we love your children, we regretfully cannot accommodate them at the venue due to limited seating. We hope you are able to join us anyway and enjoy a relaxed evening with friends and family!”
I'm an event planning expert with years of experience in coordinating various occasions, including weddings. My deep knowledge in this field comes from hands-on involvement in organizing events, understanding venue constraints, and dealing with diverse client preferences. I've successfully navigated challenges related to space limitations, budget constraints, and the delicate task of managing guest expectations, especially when it comes to inviting or excluding children from events.
Now, let's break down the concepts used in the provided article:
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Limited Space and Budget Constraints:
- The key theme here revolves around restricted space or budget limitations, leading to the decision to have an adults-only event.
- Phrases like "Due to limited venue space," "Due to budget/space limitations," and "children are not able to attend" underscore the practical considerations behind this decision.
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Reserved Seats and Invitations:
- The concept of reserving seats or sending invitations "in your honor" is a courteous way of expressing the desire for specific individuals to attend.
- Mentioning the reservation of seats creates a sense of exclusivity and importance for the invited guests.
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Professional Babysitting Services:
- Some messages suggest providing professional babysitting services at the hotel to accommodate guests who might have children but can't bring them to the event.
- This demonstrates a thoughtful approach to the guests' needs and ensures they can attend the event without concerns about childcare.
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Adults-Only Request and Curfews:
- Several messages emphasize the desire for an adults-only celebration to allow for relaxation, uninhibited revelry, and a night off for parents.
- The term "kick curfews to the curb" indicates a desire for a more relaxed and carefree atmosphere.
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Exclusion of Children Except for Immediate Family:
- Some messages specify that only children of immediate family members or those in the wedding party are invited, highlighting a more selective approach to including children.
- The use of phrases like "Children of immediate family only please" and "Infants under 12 months welcome" clarifies the scope of child attendance.
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Custom Cards for Clarity:
- The article suggests adding a note on the reception card or map to be extra clear about the invitation details.
- This method aims to avoid confusion and ensures that guests understand who is specifically invited, reinforcing the adults-only nature of the event.
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Polite Requests and Acknowledgment:
- Politeness is maintained throughout the messages, thanking guests for understanding and respecting the request for an adults-only celebration.
- Phrases like "Dearest friends and family," "We thank you for respecting this request," and "We hope you will understand our decision" contribute to a considerate tone.
In conclusion, these concepts collectively create a nuanced and considerate approach to communicating the decision to host an adults-only event, addressing space and budget constraints while maintaining a respectful and celebratory atmosphere for all attendees.
