Kids at a wedding reception: Yay or Nay?

Question

I've only been to two weddings in my life (both when I was a child): My uncle's wedding and my parents' wedding.

My uncle got married when I was 9 and there were no kids allowed at the reception. At the time, I remember being so offended because I wanted to have fun, too. 😂 The reception was being held at a hotel and my siblings, my cousin, and I ended up having to be stuck in our room all night, being babysat by one of my uncle's goddaughters (who was a teenager at the time). I was a hyper kid and we all were so bored that we just started jumping on the bed. At one point we were hopping from bed to bed, and eventually we had security called on us because we were making too much noise. 😂

My parents' wedding was very different. The ceremony was pretty quick and they just had the reception at my grandma's old house and all us kids were allowed. 😋

I feel like the "No Kids Allowed" receptions are becoming more common these days, but what do you think?

Would you rather go to a reception where there aren't any kids around?

Screenwriter · Accepted Answer

Weddings are one of the few adult-attended parties where I think it's important for children to BE present, unless it's a late evening event.

This is a great teachable moment for parents to show children how to behave in public. Of course the kids will be noisy, but when there's a band playing or recorded music in the background, what does that matter?

There's going to be some running and falling, but parents can gently restate and restate AGAIN and AGAIN, that you don't run at a wedding reception. It's NOT a picnic.

Now, according to WHERE the reception is will impact what behavior is allowed for the kids.

If it's on a beach or outdoors in a garden, more noise is OK, as well as more roughhousing. Falling on sand or grass isn't bad. Falling on a hard floor can be a disaster. As is running with wedding cake in hand to faceplant into it.

But often at weddings with kids, there is a kid's table with an adult chaperone that changes every half hour or so, so adults have time to have fun, and that adults/parents point kids to food choices, (esp. under 6 children who need such help) invite kids to dance with each other or other adults (cousins and so forth) etc.

Such weddings include children in important family events and make them feel special to be invited. You can't expect them to know the rules until they're taught.

kylee2437 · Accepted Answer

Nay. Kids are annoying as hell , are another body you have to feed , you have to worry about them running around and getting into things that you don’t want them to, people having to leave early to go tuck their kids into bed. Make it a day where people can be away from their kids and have genuine fun

OlderAndWiser · Accepted Answer

I am in the early stages of planning a wedding. Here are my concerns about kids at a wedding.

1. Some kids are loud and unruly, and the parents exercise no control over them. I don't want a cranked up kid being a pain in the ass for other people who are trying to enjoy themselves.

2. My reception will be a dinner and dance. The cost to me is based on the number of people in attendance and will be in the vicinity of $75 per person. If someone brings two kids to a wedding, because they didn't want to spend $30-50 for a babysitter, that costs ME an extra $150 and I don't even want them there. Does that sound fair?

BCRanger10 · Accepted Answer

Kids absolutely  SHOULD  be at wedding receptions. They are a part of the family, so they ought to see the growth of the family, or at least be a part of it, if they're too young to understand. Plus, the procreation of and the moral and spiritual formation of children is what marriage - the union of husband and wife - is about anyway. Children should be a part of the ritual and celebration.

DizzyDesii · Answer

I’ll never understand children not being allowed to wedding events. I’d be annoyed if the baby cried during the vows but other than that, kids are surely welcome. I tend to go to alcohol free weddings so maybe thats why the kids are often around. But even during bonfires where adults were drinking, kids were nearby roasting marshmallows or poppin fireworks

madhatters4 · Answer

i think kids at a reception is fine. i had kids at my wedding reception. unless the point of the reception is to turn into a drunken shit show i don't see why you wouldn't allow kids at it... but of course the choice is entirely up to the couple getting married

abc3643 · Answer

If you don't have little kids at wedding receptions, then you can't have videos like this:

Apple1996 · Answer

Yes the kids are less annoying then the adults so I don't see why they can't be there

dolemite58 · Answer

Weddings are such a family event it’s a bit odd to not allow kids there but i guess it could depend on the size of the reception and the venue. If it was a smaller wedding at a very upscale location and most of the guests were say like from you’re work or something i understand not allowing kids. Some nice restaurants don’t allow children in them. If it’s a bigger wedding where there’s enough room for kids to have their own space to be rambunctious then thats different.

RoseySarah · Answer

Depends on the wedding a small one friends and family yes course. Big showy one with 400 poeple nope the adults want to head to the hotel after drinking

coachTanthony · Answer

It's not the kids that we hate its the kids that have no discipline and even worse the parents who know this and refuse to use a baby sitter on such a special occasion. Do better parents.

NYCQuestions1976 · Answer

I was actually groomsman my cousin's wedding when I was 14, and I had kids of all ages at my wedding. I'm cool with having kids at a wedding, but I also understand adults wanting a wedding reception with no kids.

spartan55 · Answer

Beebella, 🐝 I've attended lots of weddings, and can only remember a few with kids at the reception. It wasn't a big deal, but if it were me I'd get a babysitter.

Jazzy54 · Answer

It depends on the couple and what they want. It’s  their  day, not mine. Therefore, I have no right to suggest what they should or shouldn’t allow.

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

Kids played their roles during our wedding.  They were more than welcome to enjoy our wedding reception.

Fuentes · Answer

I don't think I qould care at all lol u planning on getting married?

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I don't care either way.

exitseven · Answer

a wedding is supposed to be a family function and that includes kids.

Anonymous · Answer

Events like that are nice when they hire people to look after and entertain the children during the reception.

Teriyaki70 · Answer

As long as someone is watching them if their younger it's fine for a while in my opinion 🥳🥳🥳

jahaims · Answer

I think it is silly to invite people who have kids and expect them to show up without the.

AydenHazor · Answer

I don't care either way, I support the preference of the bride and groom

Iron_Man · Answer

That’s a shame you missed it. I could see how you would be disappointed.

jeffend888 · Answer

You're 29 and you've only been to two weddings in your life? Do you not have any friends or family?

Kids at a wedding reception: Yay or Nay?

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