Hot topic...should YOUNG children be invited guests at weddings?

i hear where you are coming from and i think it depends on your situation. i would not mind having children at my wedding because i have children and i come from a big family with losts of little ones. it is your day and if you say no children then people just have to respect that

I'm standing on the side of the fence that it's the bride and grooms wedding they have a right to have a good time and so do their guest..If they feel the children should not be there than so be it. It's their wedding they have a right to have it the way they want it becuase they only get one shot at it. Now on the other hand if the bride says children are fine then great. All parents should have a handle on their children especially if your invited to enjoy something memorable and beautiful. But Ultimately I think it's a decision that has to be made by the bride and groom. I might say in the church yes they can come but to the reception there are going to be people drinking and I would not want my kids around that.

I understand, some of my friends are the same way. Me, I adore kids. The louder they are the more fun there is in them. Kids should be loud, energetic and mischievous, the total opposite of adults. Why? Because they are not adults, this is the only time in their lives they can just be out there with everything and it's ok. Does that make sense? I do think kids after a certain age should be able to contain them selves during a wedding, but even if they don't, I don't mind. I had a ton of kid at mine and to me it didn't hurt. But everyone one is diffrent.

I understand what you are saying, some kids are just monsters and their parents don't see this, they say all kids are like that, etc. It would be hard to say to some you can bring your kids and to others you can't. And their are always some people who will bring their kids anyway (I have seen that happen). So a blanket, sorry to all kids is understandable - at least from my perspective.

no, i dont think they should or if they are (especially for the reception) they should be given something to do...it is hard enough for some to sit still during school, why should they have to during a wedding? although here is an exception: hubbys cousin's wedding and my kids were invited to the reception, at each kid's place setting, there was a gift bag full of candy, stuff to do (paper wise) and a mini radio...what a great idea! it kept them busy and having fun during those (what always tend to be) boring speeches!

I think it's ok as long as someone is going to look after them.

1,it depends on the child, 2 maybe just the reception,not the main event.then at the end of the day its your wedding you get to choose who you want at it.lolxx

It would depend on the children and their parents. You should not exclude some children because there are those who are little monsters. Also the threat of telling a child that if he does not behave at the wedding, he will be going home right away and miss out on the food and the dancing, will make him behave. There is one thing about kids, that they do not like to be excluded, and that is the reason why I suggested how to handle them. It's the same when they start to act up in the grocery store, take them outside. As soon as they start acting up, remove them from the situation and then they will straighten up.

I have no problem with children going to weddings. I just was at my cousin's wedding and my little cousins were there...As long as the parents watch their kids. Trust me my cousins can get VERY roudy but they were good at the wedding. So I definitely would have kids at my wedding, especially the flower girl and the ring bearer...you expect them to be at the wedding but not the party? Plus if my friends have kids before I get married of course I'll let them bring the kids...just my point of few, I love kids and they could be good.

I think a lot of it would depend on the wedding. A lot of couple are going for more casual, laid back weddings, in which case a screaming child isn't likely to ruin the event. For a fancy, formal wedding, however, I would say kids don't really belong. More than anything, they're likely to be bored... and I think most of us know that bored children tend to try to entertain themselves, though not necessarily in a productive fashion.

well,i gues it depend on the culture. In the Philippines,children are part of the ceremony: boys as bible bearer, ring bearer,cord and veil bearer, and other bearers and flower girls...so, they must be present during the wedding. In my case, i had these bearers and flower girls.Aside from that,I wanted my whole family be present during the wedding, so my nieces and nephews (ages 1-15) were presen then...

I would say it depends on the ages of the kids. Now at my 2nd wedding, there were several 9 & 10 yr olds. They were absolutely a joy! When my girls were very young(toddlers,babys) I found a sitter for them when going to such things. They required a lot of my attention. They were good girls but often got tired,bored at these sort of things and thats whan they would want to leave and/or act out. I wanted to enjoy the celebration and not be chasing my kids around or listening to them whine & fuss. Drinking is often going on at the reception and is really no place for kids. I have gone to weddings without my own children and found myself chasing after someone elses because the parents are busy drinking and socializing and assuming everyone else will watch their kids. \ So I would say under a certain age...no. On the invites I'd word it to the parents that they should find a sitter and take a break and come help you celebrate.

I dont find anything wrong in sending young children as guests....but yes they should be accompanied by their parents..if the parents are guiding them , there is no harm....

I personally would like to see children at a wedding since its to do with merging of two sides of a family. children make the family. However, Parents NEED to watch their children and make sure they dont hurt themselves and others around them...think on how many drunks would be at the reception? how many kids does it take to trip a dozen people? ONE. So as a Parent speaking to other parents...watch your child. for the sake of them and others awa well.

Well I think it would look pretty when there’s children walking down the aisle throwing flowers while you walk. Before I never heard of children invited in a wedding day. It’s all mature people. Kids could be disturbance to the ceremony. But for me, kids is fun. They’ll make the occasion alive.

I think weddings are a family affair and that means children as well. I understand that sometimes their behaviour is not the best and that some parents are not good at getting their kids to behave. However, I have seen lots of kids who love the active parts of receptions.

Sorry I do not think you can blame the water, I believe it is the parents who do not want to spend the time disciplining a child, because unless you are consistent, it will not work and children are not dumb, by any stretch of the imagination, they know what buttons to push and when not to. baby's can get their moms to do any thing they want if the howl long enough.Yes it is blackmail and once started it is a done deal, and then you end up with children who do as they please and their parents saying I do not understand why. We have to keep in our mind who is the ADULT in this picture.And I agree with you because of this all children are not allowed at a wedding, and that is a shame as I know parents who will not attend if their children are not invited. But in this situation you can not pick and choose

I am attending a wedding in a month where no kids are invited. One reason is the cost and the second is they really don't want kids running around. I know some relatives have taken offense to this because they say they cannot find a baby sitter so will not be attending. I notice that when ever they want to go to movie or out on the town a babysitter is easy to find. When you have kids of your own and you are invited to a wedding how will you feel about your kids not being invited? I know that for some people their attitude changes. I have heard them say but I want my daughter to experience this celebration or part of life. Interesting how our views can change!

My response is this: It depends on the children themselves. If the parents are willing and able to devote the necessary time that is required and necessary attention to the kids and they behave, then, absolutely, invite the kids. If you are aware of them misbehaving, then, NO!

I think if the children are that of a close family member then it is fine to invite them but if they are a friend's child or distant family relation, they should not be invited. Children can get too excited at events, especially weddings, it is not a normal occurence and they love it, this applies to all events. I also agree that weddings are very much a 'Grown Up' event. Not really designed for children.