Though children are enjoyable to have at a wedding, there are many couples who decide to have an adults only wedding reception. There may be several reasons why you would prefer this particular decision; whether it’s monetary, space or personal choice. There are also a number of things to consider when you are making the decision to allow children at your wedding celebrations or not.

One reason is simply to save on expenses. Naturally, the fewer guests you have, the less you need to spend on food. This could also mean that you may be able to rent a smaller size venue for your reception as well. Some couples decide to leave children out from their guest list when there may have been a few children coming.

Generally, the main reason a bride and groom opt for an adults only reception is not concerning expenses, but rather because of the type of function they hope to have. Some couples envision a black tie wedding, which typically start at around six in the evening or later and last long into the late hours of the night. This is one of the strongest indications that it may not be suitable for children to attend the reception.

Sometimes it’s not about the time of day but more about the flavour. Perhaps you are considering a trendy cocktail party, and children running amuck do not match your vision of an elegant wedding reception. Or perhaps you imagine a relaxing atmosphere in a custom lounge where you might prefer to converse amongst your guests without the pitter-patter of little feet.

Some venues may also not allow younger guests, such as nightclubs, art galleries, museums and couples only resorts to name a few.

Once you have made the final decision about whether you want an adults only reception, there are a few things to keep in mind. First is that you may want to make sure your guests are well aware that the venue is adults only and to not include their children. Also keep in mind that no matter how carefully you handle the situation, some individuals may become offended anyway and some may not attend the wedding at all if they cannot bring their children. It’s unfortunate, but all you can do is be as gracious as possible.

Generally, a wedding invitation is only being given to those whose names appear on it. Hopefully, your guests will recognize this when they receive their invitation. Some couples also address that it’s an adults only wedding reception by filling in the number of guests invited and leaving it up to the guests to simply fill in the portion that asks yes or no to attending. It may be necessary to call certain guests and gently approach or reaffirm that it’s an adults only reception. It’s an uncomfortable task which is best assigned to another individual, allowing the bride and groom to remain in the clear.

If your style is more formal or elegant, an adults only wedding reception may be for you. Keep these tips in mind when making your decision and remember, it’s your special day and yours to decide the trend.