There are three workable approaches — all children, no children, or immediate family only — and the main thing that matters is picking one and communicating it clearly and early. Ambiguity is what causes the awkward conversations, not the decision itself.
The three approaches
All children welcome. Simplest to communicate, hardest to plan around. Adds to the guest count and the catering budget, and changes the shape of the evening.
No children. Common and entirely acceptable. Requires clear, early communication and creates some friction with guests who'd need childcare.
Immediate family only — nieces, nephews, children in the wedding party. The most common compromise, and the one that needs the clearest wording, because it looks arbitrary from the outside unless you state the rule.
How to communicate it
Be explicit on the invitation. Name the specific people invited on the envelope or the RSVP card. "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" is a hint; "Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and Ella" is unambiguous.
Say it on the website too, in plain language:
"We're keeping the guest list small, so we're only able to include children who are part of the wedding party. We hope you can still join us."
Tell people at least four months out. Guests need time to arrange childcare, and finding out at the eight-week invitation stage is a genuine problem for parents.
Apply the rule without exception. One exception makes it not a rule, and everyone who was told no will hear about it.
If you do invite children
Budget for them. Kids' meals typically run 50–60% of the adult price. Ask whether they count toward a food and beverage minimum, since policies differ.
Feed them earlier. Children eating at 8pm alongside adults is a bad plan. Ask the venue about serving kids first.
Give them somewhere to go. A side room, a corner with activities, or an area away from the speakers. Children who have somewhere to be are less likely to end up somewhere they shouldn't.
Consider a sitter. Hiring one or two childminders for the reception costs $150 to $400 and is frequently the single best money spent — parents get an evening, children get supervised.
Keep the ceremony short. Twenty minutes is about the ceiling.
Activity bags. Quiet things — colouring, stickers, small puzzles. Nothing noisy.
Warn them about the noise. Reception music is loud for small ears. Ear defenders for very young children are worth mentioning to parents.
Practical seating
Seat families together and near an exit. Parents need to be able to leave with a crying child without crossing the room.
Not next to the speakers. Obvious, and frequently overlooked.
Consider a kids' table for ages roughly 6 to 12. Younger than that, they need a parent.
In Bucks County specifically
If guests are travelling with children, mention on your website that hotels with suites make a real difference — some Warrington properties are all-suite, which gives families separate space.
Sesame Place in Langhorne is about 20 miles south and worth flagging for families making a weekend of it.
Tyler State Park and the canal towpath work well for a morning with kids before an afternoon wedding.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to have a child-free wedding? No. It's common and widely understood. What causes friction is unclear communication or making exceptions — not the decision itself.
How do you tell guests kids aren't invited? Name the invited guests specifically on the invitation, and state the policy plainly on your website. Do it at least four months out so parents can arrange childcare.
What's the most common approach? Immediate family only — nieces, nephews, and children in the wedding party. It needs the clearest wording, since the rule isn't obvious from outside.
How much do kids' meals cost at a wedding? Typically 50 to 60% of the adult price. Ask whether they count toward any food and beverage minimum, as policies differ by venue.
Should you hire a babysitter for the reception? It's often the best money in the budget — $150 to $400 for one or two sitters. Parents get an evening and children are supervised somewhere away from the noise.
What should you do if a guest brings a child anyway? Accommodate it on the day rather than making it an issue. Deal with the conversation afterward if at all — a wedding is not the moment to enforce a policy.
How long should a ceremony be with children present? Twenty minutes is about the practical ceiling. Beyond that, restlessness is guaranteed regardless of how well-behaved the children are.
Weddings at The Arbor
The Arbor at The Bucks Club is a wedding venue in Jamison, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with grounds, a pool, and space for children to be children away from the reception.
Last updated: August 2026