To ask how you would word a wedding invite.. Kids, small affair.

[INeedMoreCakeInMyLife]

OK so we had booked wedding end of next yr. And wanted it small. Everyone butted on with a load of ideas and I kept agreeing. ( don't ask), Thinking ah yeah that be good. Or yeah why not. Etc

Anyway the more I think of it I don't want the big reception, sweet carts, djs etc etc.

My reasons for this is my MH.. In particular anxiety is thro the roof at the moment and the though of having to arrange all that is just.. Bleugh! Not mentioning being centre of attention all day...
I don't want to stretch finances into any form of debt just to please others and we don't have tonnes of money either.

So anyway. We're thinking maybe something smaller. But had obviously discussed things with people.. We're also looking at bringing it forward, depending on dates available

So in my ideal World..
Registry office
Maybe 50 people ( big immediate family)
Meal after.

Wanted to put a message in invites.. That would state and apologise that it now would be Immediate family children only... Feel free to join for a meal at ( place)
( we obviously can't pay for everyone for a three course meal but would pay the bar tab?)

This would massively take the stress off me.. Low key affair.. Not having to have a proper dress.. Id get something nice in Debenhams or somewhere (I've only ever worn one dress before so this in itself puts fear in me.)
Dp and ds can wear nice trousers and shirt.. No need for suits. Dds nice dresses again maybe somewhere like Debenhams

Don’t apologize in your invitation.

There are two keys to throwing a good wedding

1. Will the couple be happy
2. Have they made an effort to be considerate of their guests

So don’t throw a wedding you will hate and don’t ask grandma to hike across a marsh in heels and you will be fine.

I would do the venue, but skip all the things you hated. Favors, decor, even dancing are optional.

Maybe you would love a wedding where everyone plays board games? So buy what food and drink you can afford, invite no more than the people you can feed, and strew the room with tables and games.

Could you say that you're just having a small wedding and as such the venue cannot accommodate children?

If you don’t want to do decorations and a cake then don’t; it’s your wedding. I didn’t do a cake and no one noticed. Same with the sweet cart.
Also if you did want to book out a Chinese restaurant then do it; it’s your wedding and people would manage.