Children bring a lot of joy and laughter wherever they go. However, they can also bring a lot of noise and, in some cases, destruction. For this reason, many couples are uncertain about whether or not to invite kids to their wedding. There are pros and cons to having them there and to leaving them home. Thus, you should consider these advantages and disadvantages as you decide whether or not to make your wedding a kid-friendly affair.
Pro: Guests Won’t Have to Worry About Childcare
When kids are invited to the wedding, parents don’t have to book babysitters, unless they just want a day to themselves. This can help you get more “yes” RSVPs, and it can reduce stress and expenses for your guests. The only exception is when you’re having a destination wedding. Few parents will want to pay to fly their children to Maui or some other wedding locale. However, you can still give them the option, just in case they want to use your wedding as an excuse for a family vacation.
Con: Kids Require Extra Planning
While allowing kids at your wedding may make things easier on their parents, it makes things harder on you. You’ll have to have child-friendly seating available at the venue. You may also need a quiet space where mothers can feed their children, or, if you’re feeling extra generous, you might need to spring for at-the-venue childcare. And, if kids are welcome at the reception, you’ll need to offer at least a few food and beverage options that are suitable for their little palates.
Pro: Your Wedding Can Be More Adorable
When little ones are welcome, expect lots of “aws” and plenty of gushing, especially if you have kids in the wedding party. Having an adorable little ring bearer or the sweetest flower girl will delight everyone and make your wedding more memorable. Even if kids aren’t in the wedding, many guests will enjoy seeing them sitting around, smiling, and looking cute in their dressiest attire.
Con: You May Have to Make Some Tough Decisions
When you start adding kids into the mix, things can get tricky. For example, should you invite some kids but not others? Will you hurt people’s feelings if you allow only the kids in your immediate family or only the children who are actually in the wedding? These are choices that can be made at your discretion, but you run a higher risk of hurting feelings if you allow some children but not all children. For this reason, some couples may find it easier to simply say no to children altogether.
