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I need help with our wedding guest list?

My fiance' and I are writing our guest list for our upcoming wedding, and we have a budget for 100 people. If we invite everyone on our list including their kids, it will add up to 120-130. I would simply invite just adults, but how do I explain that when we both have kids from previous relationships and we both have younger siblings who we want there?

Public Comments

I see it as the only kids who will be there will be your kids and your siblings. Add another card to invitation that says something along the lines of "Due to limited space we must regrettably announce that we are unable to invite guests' children." Then leave it at that.
Well, I may be wrong, but isn't attendance at a wedding usually about 70%? If you invite 120, you should get your hundred.
If you want your children and younger siblings there, that's great. They are immediate family to you and the groom. Aside from them, you can invite only the adults on your guest list if you like, it is your wedding. However, you might also like to consider inviting the other children and either spending a little more to cover the additional guests or simplifying some of the reception items to accommodate the additional guests without spending more money. Personally I like the joy that children bring to a wedding and would include them in the invitations and let the parents decide whether to bring them or not. Of course, you need to make the choices that you are going to be most comfortable and happy with. Best wishes to You.
You have to be completely honest and say you simply can't afford it. We had a similar problem and in the end I had to just say it straight, at the end of the day you can't fit them in so put on your invitations something like, we would love to have everyone with us on our special day, but we can't fit you all in on our budget, so we respectfully ask that children do not attend the ceremony and meal. Maybe though they could come to the evening? A lot of people like to go to weddings without their kids so it night not be as bad as you think! Good luck and don't let it get on top of you, it will be over quickly so try to enjoy the planning.
You do what you want- it's your wedding. Have your family members there. People can get babysitters. Simply leave off the names of children, when addressing the invitations. They'll get the point..
I know its really hard to only invite the adults but its fair enough and its your day....just explain to people that the venue only allow a small number of children so everyone unfortunatly can't bring theres.( a small white lie can't hurt!!!!). Good Luck, have the best day x
If you invite 120-130 people, don't expect them all to show up. You should invite over because it is pretty much guaranteed that a fourth or more of who you invite will not show up.
It's your wedding! You do what YOU want to do.. Your kids SHOULD be there! Doesn't mean you have to invite everyone else's kids!! As for your siblings, again, it's YOUR DAY!!!! You can invite whom you want and shouldn't have to explain yourself to anyone!
You don't need to explain. On you invite simply put that this is an adult only reception. If people ask...explain there is limited space if you don't want to explain money issues. Some may be insulted and not want to attend your wedding...that is their loss. No one would expect you to not include your immediate family.
Bride and groom's children should be included. Younger siblings should be included. All other children? No, do not invite them. Also use the "one year" rule. Have you and/or groom had contact with the potential guest within the last year? If the answer is no, then do not invite that person. Relatives may be the only exception to the "one year" rule. If you haven't seen Great Aunt Sally lately but you know she would be heartbroken if not invited, then include her. But third cousin Timothy? Haven't seen Tim in five or six years? Never met his new wife? Not necessary to invite Tim and his bride. Remember too that some folks will have to decline your invitation. So if you end up inviting 105 guests, you will probably still be okay. Good luck to you. Guest lists can be troublesome.
Some people will not show up. If you have 4 families of 5 that can't show up, there's your hundred.
Two choices: cut down the expenses, or trim the list. Would you rather welcome a few children, or have fresh flowers in the restroom? Are the favors you've selected necessary (hint - no. Most wedding favors hit the landfill before the honeymoon is over). Cut the frills, and have a hospitable welcoming reception.
Invite them all. On average only 80% of those you invite will attend. If you know for sure that 100% of the guest list will show up, talk to your caterer. Typically they do reduce costs for kiddos. My venue will put together "kids meal bags" which will be which ever kid friendly food I pick and only charge about 55% of what they would charge for an adult.
Don't invite the children if you don't want them there. I see nothing wrong with that. I'd state simply on the invite: Adult Only Reception Reception Hall Name Reception Hall Address 6:00pm If you're going to not invite children - definitely state it! Don't just address the invite to the parents and hope that they'll get the point. I've heard many horror stories of couples doing that and having their guests still drag their little ones along. Also, if you receive a response stating "4" when only 2 were invited, then call that person and explain to them that you cannot fit 4, only the 2 that were invited. If they whine and complain, then retract the invite. If they can't be away from their precious for a couple hours to enjoy a night out with a family member/friend, then they don't need to come.
There is no problem with your kids and family kids being there, while not inviting your guests' children. Just make sure you address you invitations as "Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so" and leave it at that. Do not say "and family".
Girl, don't invite the kids. Just be honest with your guests and tell them you can't invite kids. You'll have to be really frank about it because some people will be offended, but what can you do? If they're your kids or your spouse to be's kids, of course they should be at your wedding! If you get $hit from guests, just tell them if they have to have their kid there they can write you a check! Good luck, I hope you have a beautiful wedding!
YOU, the Bride and Groom, have to be CONSISTENT on both the Bride's side and Groom's side. Every time you write another name on the guest list "the cash register rings" . . and you pay! Here's some suggestions on how to trim your guest list. Do not invite anyone that you have not SEEN OR TALKED TO in the last two years. Do not invite any child, except your own, under the age of twelve. It is also appropriate to invite your brothers and sisters under the age of twelve but STOP there (no cousins). Only invite the co-workers that you socialize with "after working hours." There are three things that you can do that will help this situation . . Put "Adults only" on your wedding invitation in the lower left hand corner Just write "Mr and Mrs John White" on the wedding invitation envelope. You can start passing "the word" that only your own children and your brothers and sisters will be invited to the wedding several months in advance of your wedding so your "friends and family members" will be aware of that fact before they receive their wedding invitation. Answered by: A Certified wedding specialist / A Professional bridal consultant / A Wedding ceremony officiant