You have yourself quite a conundrum. If you invite some children and not other children, it's going to cause hard feelings. When is the date and time for the wedding? This might determine a lot of things. If it's an evening wedding or later day, some may opt for a babysitter and leave the children at home. If it's during the school year, certain events may cut back on them coming in. How far away are some of the guests coming in from? Will they have to fly? In today's economy, even driving far makes people tend to send a gift and regrets. These are all factors you can take into account when thinking about who you invite. Generally 20% do not show. Good luck and best wishes.

Honestly . . . this is YOUR day and you should invite whomever you want. I realize that some aunt, uncles and cousins may be "offended" but they'll get over it and if they don't, then they're not worth the trouble, are they? I don't mean to be rude here, but why should you be stressing over the guest list so much when it's such an important day for you and your fiancee? It's just not worth it. I have been to several weddings where the invitation specifies "no children", and the only children who were present, were those in the wedding party. If your uninvited adult relatives make a fuss, ask them if they're willing to pay for their portion (you likely have a good idea as to how much each person is "costing" you) because you simply can't afford it. You can likely be assured that they won't be willing to pay to go to your wedding, and for those who do, it probably won't be a large enough number to make a huge impact on the venue. Good luck to you.

If possible send wedding announcements not invitations to those not invited. Explain in the announcement that due to space you are having a very small ceremony and ask that they think of you as your thoughts will be of them as you start your wedding day. Be as gracious as you can.

As for children, do stipulate in the invitations no children. After the ceremony arrange for sitters for the children in your wedding party They can be kept busy in an out of the way area. Family room perhaps? Make sure they have lots of refreshments and activities.Make it fun for them.

After you have tried your best not to offend anyone then relax and move on to the next problem. There are usually many in planning a wedding. As much as you want it to be perfect and for everyone to be as happy as you are on this day, that rarely happens.
Remember it is important for you and your fiance be happy. You can not redo this day, so take a deep breath and move forward. You have a lot to do!

You could go so far as to include in your invitation, "due to space limitations, we respectfully request that you do not bring children." In the beginning, you might get some attitude over the "no children" request, but once people show up and see the limited area you have to work with and realize that you are footing the bill for the entire event, the majority of them will understand and all will be forgiven. For the sake of equality, you might want to add a child or two from his side of the family to the wedding party to help quiet the grumbling. Especially in this economy, most people should be able to comprehend the reasoning behind your decision to trim the guest list. Most kids would rather not be there, anyway. And in a limited space, the adults will eventually come to appreciate that.

This is a subject that really bothers me. I do not understand why some people feel entitled to be invited to a party. How can one force themselves to be invited? The most shocking thing is that many of the people who get offended are those who have been through the whole wedding planning thing themselves. Do they not remember how stressful it was? Anyhow, I know this is easier said than done, but try not to stress about it. Have an A list and a B list. Set an RSVP date of at least three weeks ahead, that way you will have time to invite those on the B list for those who cannot come.

I have been on the receiving end of "no children allowed" invitations and I tell you, it really irks me because we are a family full of children. But guess what? Just because I get irked, I get over it in a day or two because I realize it is life. Have I turned down invitations because children were not allowed? Sure, but I am grateful for the fact I was invited and at times do still send a gift or card. Once they get an invitation the ball is in their court to decide whether they will attend or not. You have done your part, they make the final decision. HAve the wedding YOU want, not the wedding others expect. Goodluck

Invite those you are close to and would love to have there for your special day. Others you can send a wedding announcement. You shouldn't invite someone just because they're family. Just share with those that you invite that you wish you can invite more but are limited due to space. Have a wonderful wedding!

Is it too late to change the location? If you are planning an outdoor wedding, perhaps you could find a park nearby? There would be room for everyone, and a playground to keep all the children happy.

That's a tough one. As a bride to be, you shouldn't be stressed up. If this is giving you a headache, make away with the guest list. Put in your card by invitation only and those who aren't invited, then so be it. You can't please everyone, no matter what.

You can have a hot wedding and people will still talk. I mean, it's in their nature. So let them do what they want, think what want and when they get tired, they will shut up. In the meantime, just concentrate on your wedding list and invite those special people close to your heart. I like how one person said to send out a wedding announcement. Out of respect and to prevent misunderstanding, I think that's a good way. Have a stress-free wedding preparation, all the best to you.

I forget to add, if you want another way, you can have a wedding on a period when there is a tendency for people to go on holidays. That will be a good excuse to have a wedding date because many will not be able to turn up, except for your close ones.

Hey, it's not your mother's wedding! She doesn't get to make the guest list! If you and your fiance are paying for everything yourselves, and Mama isn't contributing, that's the end of it. Only, she's providing the back yard. It'd be interesting to know how she thinks everyone she wants on the list is supposed to cram in there, but maybe you'd be better off finding another space. You don't have to say "It's so you won't yap all the time, Mama", but if you've got a budget and she won't respect it, find another location or go nuts.

All I would suggest is to think about who is most important to have with you and what's most important about the day. It sounds like you're having a lot of attendants. Is this costing a lot? Is money the biggest reason to keep the guest list down, or do you want a smaller wedding because you just would?

You could also have the small wedding you want, and let Mama give a party for you at some later date if she'd like, with Aunt This and her many children and all the cousins, but it'll be her party in honor of you and her new son in law.

People will be offended, no matter what. You just need to live with that. Invite who you want.

The people on the invitation are the only ones invited. Word the invitations as "Mr. & Mrs. X" and not "Mr. & Mrs. X and family". To help, have friends and family spread the word that you are having a super small ceremony and are only inviting those that the two of you are close to and that the only children invited are the ones in the ceremony.

If your mother-in-law to-be wants to invite more people, tell her then she needs to pay for a portion of the wedding so that you can hold it at a larger venue. That generally shuts up most people.

The other thing you can do is not have a big wedding--or small wedding as the case may be. Just make it the two of you, your soon to be stepson, and immediate families. There is something to be said about eloping. You can still have flowers, a dress, and a cake if that is important to you, just don't have the guests.

I've done this so here's how you do it. Guest list: you, groom, your parents and his, his brothers/sisters and spouses, your grandparents/his and great grands, no kids other than bridal party, no exceptions, (am figuring your friends in as part of bridal party, also keep it to a maid of honor and best man) So, if you and your fiance are both from families where you each have 2 siblings who are married, it's already adding up fast. Invite your best friends w/spouse. 2 couples for each of your or 4 total. aunts/uncles, no cousins. Add a few more friends to fill out the list depending on the number of siblings you and your parents have which will expand the list. Let your mom/dad let the family know that they'd love to have everyone there but due to the space constrictions it's impossible. Keep in mind you need space for whoever marries you, other vendors (unless you are doing it all yourself). Congratulations and enjoy your day. Anyone who complains isn't someone you want there anyway...toxic people are better off kept far away at weddings.