Kids or No Kids? That is the question.

Is it okay to have an adults only wedding?

This has been a hot topic on social media lately.

When we got married on October 25, 2014, we decided to have an adults only wedding and this was a huge surprise to some friends and family members.  However, a wedding is an adult event.  Two people who love each other are joining their union in front of their friends and family.  Who wants an interruption during that?

On our wedding invitations, we simply added "Adult reception to follow."  This gave our guests the hint that children were not invited, and anyone who had a question about it, called us.  Honestly, the majority of our wedding guests with children were excited to have a date night with their spouse. However, we did have a few friends and family members whose feelings were hurt because of this.

Just because we asked for no children to be there, does not mean that we hate your kids!  I like children and Lord willing, I want to have children some day!

I've just always thought that children can be an overall distraction at weddings.
They cry during the ceremony...
They get in the aisle and walk around during the ceremony...  (Don't even get me started on flower girls and ring-bearers that stop in the aisle and cry for 10 minutes while every one thinks its just so adorable. NO.  IT'S NOT CUTE!).
They stick their fingers in the wedding cake...
Their parents aren't watching them...
They throw a tantrum when they don't catch the bouquet...  (I may have done this at my Uncle's wedding approximately 24 years ago)...
Nonetheless! They can often be a distraction from the wedding as a whole.

Some people suggest that you should offer childcare for the individuals who have children and want to come to your wedding.  My response to that is...  No! Weddings are EXPENSIVE to begin with. Why should I pay for a babysitter for your child or children?  We are already paying for your alcohol, meal, dessert, entertainment, and a gift (favors) for YOU for the evening.  So, no, I don't want to pay for someone to take care of your child too.

Don't get me wrong, if you want to have children at your wedding, that's ok!  It is YOUR wedding day and it is YOUR prerogative to decide what you want.  Just don't let someone make you feel bad for the decision you choose.

For us, it was the best decision we could have made!  If we offended anyone, I'm sorry.  We had our perfect wedding of our dreams with no distractions.  No flower girls.  No ring-bearers.  No interruptions.  No regrets!