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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To assume that no children's name on wedding invitation means they aren't invited?

135 replies

guptent · 14/03/2024 18:31

An old friend of mine is getting married soon. We don't know each other well anymore but used to be close (school). We meet up maybe once every year or couple of years and send "big life event" news in a group chat.

Me (and several others from our old friendship group) are all invited to her wedding in a a couple of months which is very nice. However, the invite has only mine and DHs name on but not DS' (who will be 19 months at the time)

She doesn't have her own children but from what I've known of her she always seemed to like children and being around them. She has a big family with lots of children etc. I know that child-free weddings are becoming more common but she really would never strike me as being a person who would have one. Obviously I don't know her as well as I once did but I would be genuinely amazed if there were no children there.

Im also surprised because several of our friendship group have young children (some babies in arms age) and it's not been mentioned at any point prior to this.

The problem is, going without DS makes things much more difficult. It's several hours drive away in quite a remote place. She's my friend primarily so if only one of us went it would be me, but I don't drive so getting there is going to be difficult if DH isn't there driving. I could get a train but it still wouldn't get me very close so I'd have to get quite a long taxi too which is going to be expensive.

Obviously we could both go and leave DS with someone. However, DS is very anxious and quite sensitive and gets upset without us there. We have built up to the point he can stay with his grandparents for a few hours alone while we go out but him staying overnight without us is likely going to be difficult.

Separation anxiety aside, he's not the easiest sleeper. Once asleep he always sleeps right through the night but getting him to sleep takes a long time (often upwards of an hour). We do not want to sleep train. While hour long bedtimes aren't ideal, he's otherwise good and so it's just one of those things at the moment. I just feel like asking my parents to spend potentially hours trying to get him to sleep is a bit unfair on them. But I wouldn't want him being left to cry either.

I do think we could sort something to make it work if needs be and I do want to go to be there with her and share her day. She is within her rights to have any kind of wedding she wants. I'm not complaining if that's what she has decided.

However DH thinks it's likely that she's made a mistake and expects that we will be bringing DS. He thinks perhaps she couldn't remember his name (she could have checked back on the group chat though) or something. He thinks I should ask and confirm. I don't what to as I feel I'll be putting her on the spot.

However, if we say nothing and do all this sorting to make it work and it turns out DS was always invited it will admittedly be a bit annoying and I will regret not mentioning it.

I just feel we have no choice because it's too rude to ask. In my opinion, wedding invitations are written out very purposefully.

OP posts:
DigitalDust · 14/03/2024 23:04

I’d ask, but make it clear that it’s not a problem if DS isn’t invited - you just need to know for childcare purposes

crockofshite · 14/03/2024 23:08

Nope. Name isn't on the invitation and that means he's not invited.

Option 1. your husband drives all of you and while you go to the wedding he parents his child all by himself? Then you all drive home together.

Option 2. Decline the invitation.

LeavesOnTrees · 14/03/2024 23:13

Do ask.
I got married pre DC, not having ever heard of child free weddings.
I only put the parents' names on the envelopes, no names on the invitations and assumed the children would come.

One couple checked, that's when I realised and told everyone. Our venue allowed children in pushchairs for free.

mondaytosunday · 14/03/2024 23:21

No name no invite.
I had a child free wedding so any parents (there weren't that many to be honest - or at least those that did the kids were teens) could have a good night out themselves.
If you can't make it you can't make it. It's not like she's a bestie or anything.

Mumof2teens79 · 14/03/2024 23:28

If its an invitation to the whole day and it doesn't have child's name but has OH name...child not invited.
If it'd just the evening reception they often don't have names ...but also not always ideal for toddlers

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 14/03/2024 23:38

guptent · 14/03/2024 18:50

Regarding us not being close enough for DS to take up a space - I hadn't even considered that he would be old enough to be counted as a guest for numbers or that they would expect for him to require a meal or anything.

Obviously if him being there costs extra then that's completely understandable that he's not invited. I was thinking of such young kids as a sort of free-add on which is why I assumed that unless a wedding was child-free, anyone's babies and toddlers would be welcome.

It was a lack of understanding of how it all works rather than an assumption that they should pay extra for my DS. As it is I know it's very nice that me and DH are even invited since we aren't that close.

If he was four months maybe but not as a toddler. Hes not invited I'm afraid!

banjaxxed · 15/03/2024 00:03

'Hi X

Thanks so much for the invitation. Can I just ask, does this include DS?

No bother either way, just checking in so I can sort everything'

Codlingmoths · 15/03/2024 00:13

ChampagneLassie · 14/03/2024 20:53

I’d just ask. I had this recently and the bride responded that only family children, but if it’s a problem for me let her know. So why not ask? Only you know all your personal circumstances

This is a perfect approach from the bride. I love kids, but understand there may not be space at a wedding. My wedding rules are: all nieces and nephews invited, all husbands/wives (what’s the point of getting married at the same time as telling your friend or family their marriage doesn’t mean much to you?), all babies approx 9mo and under, and then obviously if a friend was challenged re childcare id let their children come.
A friend ended up cancelling on a siblings wedding a few years ago. It was in another city, they had to fly there and didn’t know anyone, bride said their 4 children 12 and under had to come, they had to be in the bridal party for the church, then they weren’t allowed at the reception. Bride made no effort to find a babysitter either!

caringcarer · 15/03/2024 00:15

Teacupsandrollups · 14/03/2024 18:37

Only the named persons are invited, just like any other invitation.

This.

caringcarer · 15/03/2024 00:18

Not only do most venues charge for DC over 12 months old but they also count towards numbers for fire regulations.

Mmhmmn · 15/03/2024 00:21

Doubt children are invited but to clarify things just ask her if they are or not.

GingersOwner26 · 15/03/2024 01:09

OolongTeaDrinker · 14/03/2024 18:48

You need to just ask. I made the same assumption once and the first thing the bride said to me after greeting was where are the kids - I assumed they weren’t invited and she assumed I would assume they were!

I know someone who assumed the other way around - the wedding invitation was addressed to just her and her DH, but they assumed their two DS were also included. They didn't question it until they got to the reception and found out that there was no space for the DS on the seating plan. When asked about it, the groom kind of laughed it off and said something like "Well, it was no kids, but you're here now!" The bride was annoyed and said something about how the invitation was just for the two of them. One of the DS was a bit too young to pick up on it, but the other one did have some idea of what was going on. In the end, while the bride and groom were having their photos taken, the parents, two DS and grandparents got up and left the wedding. I would ask.

Vistada · 15/03/2024 02:22

LOL at the poster who said childfree weddings are "joyless occassions" 😂😂😂

In my experience the source of the joy at weddings tends to be the grownups getting married....

Tell me your identity is rooted in motherhood without telling me your identity is rooted in motherhood

Picklestop · 15/03/2024 02:54

guptent · 14/03/2024 18:45

Also sounds like I am overthinking the rudeness thing. Some of the suggestions on how to find out are good.

There is nothing to find out, it is there in black and white, you and DH are invited but your child isn’t. It sounds like you are not a particularly close friend so why on earth would she want your 18 month old at her wedding, even if it isn’t a child free wedding.

YireosDodeAver · 15/03/2024 03:05

Of course your child isn't invited.

I would leave DC at home with dad and go alone given that both of you going and using childcare would be problematic. 19mo is not a babe in arms you can't ask for an exception.

You are quite right not to query it, your friend has been very clear Who is invited. But obviously you don't have to accept if it doesn't appeal.

garlictwist · 15/03/2024 03:22

I'm getting married and just sent out my invites. I really want people to bring their kids so made sure I wrote everyone's name and stressed on the email the kids were invited too.

I think if she's not included your kid then he's probably not invited. That said, I don't see the harm in asking her to clarify

Topseyt123 · 15/03/2024 03:32

You just ask her. It absolutely isn't rude to ask for clarification, and contrary to what some are saying, not everyone is crystal clear on invitations.

The only child free weddings I have been to did actually specify that children were not invited. One specified that only children from the families in the bridal party were included.

So yes, I would clarify rather than assume.

TheMessiahIsMySister · 15/03/2024 03:46

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 14/03/2024 18:44

I think you have to assume that he isn't invited.

I guess if you decline (or go alone without your dh), you can explain that it's due to childcare. She will set you straight pretty quickly if your son is welcome at the wedding.

I do find childfree weddings to be rather joyless occasions but ultimately it's the bride and groom's prerogative. Don't feel obliged to go if you don't want to.

I’ve been to plenty of child-free weddings, and they’ve been great craic.

IME, events (especially if they involve alcohol and celebrating) are immeasurably better if they’re devoid of toddlers. 😉

Spencer0220 · 15/03/2024 04:05

@guptent

I really don't understand why people are telling you your son definitely isn't invited.

We had 15 seater capacity at our wedding. BUT children under 2 weren't counted as a guest.

So please ask your friend.

We had a child free wedding. But had one of my guests needed to bring her young son, I wouldn't have batted an eyelid.

Side note, I would have expected her to cater for him because our menu wouldn't have been suitable. You might want to consider this if he's free to attend.

NewName24 · 15/03/2024 14:21

I do find childfree weddings to be rather joyless occasions

How very odd.
Like pps, I 'find joy' in the celebration of two people getting married.

I’ve been to plenty of child-free weddings, and they’ve been great craic.
IME, events (especially if they involve alcohol and celebrating) are immeasurably better if they’re devoid of toddlers.

I have to agree with @TheMessiahIsMySister here.

I am aware everyone is different, but on the couple of occasions when I had to take my dc with me to a wedding, they were FAR more stressful and anything but relaxing for us as parents. The overwhelming majority of weddings I've been to without needing to be looking after small children have always been far been far more enjoyable.

Mel2023 · 16/03/2024 10:52

NewName24 · 15/03/2024 14:21

I do find childfree weddings to be rather joyless occasions

How very odd.
Like pps, I 'find joy' in the celebration of two people getting married.

I’ve been to plenty of child-free weddings, and they’ve been great craic.
IME, events (especially if they involve alcohol and celebrating) are immeasurably better if they’re devoid of toddlers.

I have to agree with @TheMessiahIsMySister here.

I am aware everyone is different, but on the couple of occasions when I had to take my dc with me to a wedding, they were FAR more stressful and anything but relaxing for us as parents. The overwhelming majority of weddings I've been to without needing to be looking after small children have always been far been far more enjoyable.

I agree. We went to two weddings last year and the child free one was much more enjoyable. People say that B&G requesting child free don’t understand the pressures on parents and they should be able to bring kids. I disagree. I actually found the B&G at the wedding we went to with DS less understanding. The ceremony was at the 1pm right in the middle of his nap time. Luckily it was a local wedding so I arranged for my parents to stay with us. They would bring DS to the reception after he’d woken up from his nap about 2/2:30pm. This would time right with us getting to the reception venue from the church. We told the Bride this in advance and she was really unimpressed, couldn’t understand why we weren’t bringing him to the church (“all the other kids are napping at the back”). DS was 17 months at the time and all the other children were primary aged kids or newborns. Most of them had travelled for the wedding too so didn’t have the option of staying at home. I said I don’t feel it’s necessary to potentially interrupt his nap when we live 5 minutes down the road. If he doesn’t get a proper nap he’ll be in a foul mood all afternoon and that’s good for no one. Then she had an issue that we’d arranged for him to be picked up by my Dad at 7:30pm so he could go home to bed (“the evening dancing is the best bit for kids!”). Honestly we knew our child and knew he needed to be kept to his sleep routine or it had knock on effect for days/if not a week. As it was, the wedding breakfast (and speeches were in between courses) overran by over 2hrs and didn’t finish until 8:45pm. She was unhappy DS left half way through (I had text my parents twice to say can they come a little later as the meal/speeches hasn’t finished yet, but there came a point enough was enough and he needed to go to bed). Throughout the whole thing DS got overstimulated, hyper, loud, had a few tantrums. He was having an absolute ball - and it was lovely to see - but between us me and DH never stopped and had very little time to actually enjoy the wedding, talk to other guests or even greet the B&G when they went round guests afterwards (we were both in the loo wrestling him back into his wedding outfit after a particularly difficult nappy change). I think if he’d been a little older it may have been different, but he was newly walking and we couldn’t take our eyes off him for a second. The child-free wedding was definitely less stressful and far more enjoyable!

Underestimated4 · 17/03/2024 12:46

It’s definitely just adults.

I had 4 children at my wedding, my two and a friends two because they struggled with childcare.

Go and enjoy the wedding and the child free time with your partner.

Florin · 17/03/2024 13:02

I wouldn’t assume either way. We had this with 2 wedding invites and politely asked saying just wanted to check so we can make arrangement but assume child not invited. One he wasn’t and it was a 4 day thing and we weren’t comfortable leaving our child at that age for that long so politely said we couldn’t attend. The other also didn’t name our child but it was a wedding we would have done anything to be at so we said just so we can make arrangements just wanted to check if child invited or not. Turned out it was a completely child centered wedding with so many activities for them and at least a third of guests being children, we went and our child had one of their best days ever it was such an amazing family day/evening. We had a child free wedding as when we got married me didn’t have kids and we were nearly the first of our friends to have kids so not many kids anyway but the family wedding was hands down the best wedding I have ever been to, a day I will never forget. There was even huge bowls of Lego on the tables and a competition for the best build (yup the adults got way too competitive!) Love my dh but if I was doing it all again would so do the family centered wedding as it felt so personal but it was a second wedding so a lot more people did have kids different if most people don’t have kids.

celticprincess · 17/03/2024 13:06

Your mother options to both travel with your DS, find somewhere nice to stay, then you go to the wedding and DH finds something to do with DS. That way he’s driving and you’re not worried about getting trains etc.

But definitely clarify with the bride about children. It would be embarrassing to turn up with child when not invited.

DottyLottieLou · 17/03/2024 13:14

It costs a fortune per person, small or not, so wouldn't expect children of acquaintances to be invited.

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