I’ve been thinking a lot about the kids at/in our wedding lately. The first word of a negative reaction to our decision to not invite kids to the reception made it’s way back to us. Not surprising, but it’s definitely made kids top of mind this week.
I can’t remember how much I’ve talked about our plan for the kiddies. I know I’ve referenced it, but I can’t find a post where I really went into detail, so here goes:
I love kids. Really I do. And I want the kids who join us for the wedding to have a really great time. So, while the adults are heading over to the “big kids reception,” I want our littlest guests to have their own special event to go to.
We’re planning to provide childcare for the kids of our guests (we may have to limit the “guest list” depending on how much help we can get) from 8 pm – 11 pm on the night of the wedding, so parents will have time to get from the ceremony to the reception and back. Once their parents RSVP and indicate that they would like to take advantage of this option, we’ll send a special kids-only invitation to the kids. I think we’re going to go with a vintage circus theme, although that may change, with tear-off “tickets” on the invitation. We’ll have carnival food (hot dogs, pizza, popcorn) for the kids, and activities, like making hats and animal masks, set up in different “rings” throughout the space. Before we leave for the reception, T and I will stop in to greet all the kids and take photos with them (maybe we’ll see if we can find an old Polaroid camera). Each of the kids will get a grab bag to take home, with fun vintage toys and games. Deanna and Jesse’s fun favor bags, featured on Snippet and Ink last fall, were the inspiration for the kiddie bags!
Still working on the details of the kid party, but I know we definitely want to use the fun shaped crayons I talked about a while ago. More to come!
Practically Married 
That sounds more than reasonable- that sounds fantastic! With what weddings cost these days, I think it’s unreasonable for people to expect their kids to be invited. Why risk one ill-behaved child (even if they are usually an “angel” ) ruining a day that costs tens of thousands of dollars?
I love your plan. And I would think that will give parents the ability to chill out and enjoy the reception without having to worry about their children. What a great idea.