How do you tell your guests that no children are allowed at your wedding?

Deciding to host an adults-only wedding is more common than you might think. Whether it’s due to practical considerations or personal preference, many couples opt to exclude children from their big day.

Some common reasons include:

• Venue restrictions – The space may be too small to accommodate everyone comfortably.

• Budget limitations – Fewer guests can reduce catering and seating costs.

• Desired atmosphere – You might want a calm, formal, or romantic mood.

• Unsuitable location – Some venues may not be safe or appropriate for young children.

Whatever your reason, it’s your wedding and your guest list—what matters most is how you communicate it.

The key to avoiding hurt feelings is to be clear, polite, and consistent. Many guests will naturally assume their children are invited, especially close family, so subtle hints may not be enough.

Here are a few wording options depending on your style and tone:

• “Adults only, please. We hope you can respect our wishes.”

• “Please note that this is an adults-only celebration.”

• “We love your little ones, but this will be an adults-only occasion. We hope you enjoy a night off to celebrate with us.”

• “As much as we adore your children, we’ve chosen to keep our wedding child-free. Thank you for understanding.”

• “Due to limited space, we are unable to accommodate children at our wedding.”

• “We are only able to invite the children who are part of the wedding party.”

If you're including your own children or others as part of the ceremony—such as flower girls or page boys—you may still wish to limit attendance to those children only. This can be tricky, so clarity is essential.

Example phrases include:

• “Only the children participating in the ceremony will be attending the reception.”

• “Due to number restrictions, we are only able to include children who are part of the wedding party.”

Be careful when making exceptions. Allowing one guest to bring their child can lead to others expecting the same, which can cause unnecessary tension.

Be specific with your envelope and wedding invitation names. Avoid terms like “& Family.” Instead, write only the names of the invited adults. For example:

• Correct: “Mr and Mrs Owen”

• Not recommended: “Mr and Mrs Owen & Family”

Include a note on your RSVP card to confirm who is invited:

• “We would love to attend. Please reserve ___ adult seats for ___.”

This helps reinforce your child-free policy without repeating the wording too many times.

To keep your wedding stationery looking beautiful, place the note about children at the bottom of your invite or on a separate details card. This way it doesn’t interrupt the design but is still clearly seen.

Mr and Mrs A. Hickman

request the pleasure of

Natalie & Robert

at the marriage of their daughter

Nicola to Mr James Brendan Owen

at St Peter’s Church, Bewdley on Saturday 20th August at 11:00 am

followed by a reception at The Ramada Hotel, Bewdley

Adults only, please. We hope you can respect our wishes.

• Be honest but kind in your communication.
• Keep the message consistent across your invites, RSVP cards, and wedding website (if you have one).
• Most guests will understand and appreciate the advance notice—even those with children.
• If you’re offering child care options nearby, you can include that information too as a helpful gesture.

For beautifully designed wedding invitations and RSVP cards where you can include personal wording just like this, explore the collection at Dotty About Paper. Each design is customisable, so you can make sure every detail reflects your day—and your wishes.