How to Throw an Adults-Only Wedding

It’s your wedding and you can — or at least, you should — do exactly what you want. And if that means you don’t want kids at your wedding, then so be it.

So how do you gracefully disinvite children, or at the very least, make it clear from the start anyone under a certain age, even the kids of your good friends, are disallowed?

The best way to head this issue off at the pass is to clearly word your invitation. Write: “We regret that only guests over the age of 18 are invited.” Or something along those lines. “Adults only,” and “We regret that children cannot be accommodated,” also work well.

You may want to provide childcare information on your wedding website, especially if your guests are going to be coming out of town. And it’s important to consider making an exception for a nursing infant, or for guests who have no other option — assuming your venue isn’t a bar that legally does not allow anyone under 18 past the threshold.

Invite the kids to other aspects of the wedding, like the brunch the day after or the rehearsal party, if appropriate. And ultimately, be prepared to understand that if you don’t allow the kiddos, their parents may opt not to attend.