Should You Invite Children To A Wedding?

Tough question – should you invite kids to a wedding? The honest answer is, it’s up to you.

Every couple, every wedding, is different. It’s all about your preferences, and what you want for your day. However, if you’re struggling to come to a decision and aren’t sure if you should open up your special day to children, we’ve made a list of ‘for’ and ‘against’ to help you decide.

Yes, of course you should invite children to your wedding:

  1. Family-feel

Are there a lot of children in your family? Are you a close-knit bunch? If so, you might feel the children are a huge part of the day. You might want them as your pageboy or flower girls, for example.  Having them involved might be the perfect sentimental touch for you and help create that real family affair. This is especially true for a Hargate Hall wedding as we can sleep up to 77 people at the Hall. Plenty of room for all the family.

  1. Icebreakers

Children can help get everyone in the party mood, as their carefree natures often mean they’re some of the first people on the dancefloor. They don’t tend to feel that initial awkwardness that many of us experience as we get older.

Plus, they can be great conversation starters as guests mingle and get to know each other. They can help break the ice in different ways.

  1. Cuteness

There is a cuteness about kids that adults cannot possibly recreate! There is sure to be a smile or two, or three, when the children step out in their formal wear. Plus, watching them giggle and dance is likely to spread a real joy amongst everyone there.

Nah, a kid free wedding day:

  1. Extra costs

Inviting children to your wedding does have the potential to be a point of stress. It can be an extra financial burden depending on factors such as the cost of extra mouths to feed, and possibly needing entertainment to keep them quiet. If you’ve got lots of friends with kids, your guest list could add up quickly without inviting all of your friends. It’s worth getting the guest list balance right.

 2. Tantrums

While children are unquestionably adorable, they can also be chaotic. If a tantrum is something you want to avoid during the ceremony, it could be worth not having children there, as there’s no predicting their behaviour. As a compromise, you could welcome children after the ceremony instead, or even hire a nanny for the day. Whilst conversations around the guest list can be difficult, your friends and family will understand.

  1. Early exits

The excitement of the day could lead to children getting tired out. As a result, parents might have to depart from the wedding early (see more here about guest etiquette). Bedtime is something which can’t be avoided and may mean some people miss out on the chance to let their hair down in the same way they could at a child-free wedding. But with Hargate Hall, the party lasts all weekend, and the accommodation isn’t a car ride away!

Whatever decision you come to, try to focus on what’s right for you, and the kind of day you both want. Be as clear as you can with your guests, to ensure there won’t be any unwanted surprises, or possible conflicts. No matter what you choose to do, it’s sure to be the right decision for you.

Did you know we can sleep 77 people at Hargate Hall? Plenty of room for all the family you’d like to invite to your special day. We’d love to talk to you about your wedding. You can call us on 01298 872591. Or email us at info@hargate-hall.co.uk with the dates you’d like to book, and we’ll get straight back to you.