Deciding Whether To Have Children At Your Wedding ?

A Thoughtful Guide for Free-Spirited, Family-Oriented Couples

Weddings are a beautiful celebration of love, connection, and new beginnings. For many couples, deciding whether to invite children to their wedding is one of the more challenging questions they face. If you and your partner are unconventional thinkers who cherish family and value inclusion, this decision might not be as straightforward as a simple yes or no.

As a couple who embraces love in all its forms—relaxed, down-to-earth, yet deeply committed—you want your wedding to feel true to who you are. Whether you envision a kid-friendly affair filled with laughter and playfulness or a serene adults-only evening, this guide will help you make the decision that best aligns with your vision.

Flower girls playing together on the sofa at Langtons House

The Case for Including Children at Your Wedding

If you and your partner are family-focused and love the warmth that children bring, inviting kids to your wedding can create unforgettable moments. Imagine the candid joy of a flower girl giggling during the vows, a ring bearer’s excitement as he runs down the aisle, or the spontaneous dance moves of little ones twirling under twinkling lights. These moments are pure, unfiltered magic—the kind of authenticity that makes for breath taking, emotion-filled photographs.

Having children at your wedding also fosters a sense of inclusivity. Parents can relax and fully participate in your celebration without worrying about childcare arrangements. If your wedding is about bringing together all generations for a shared experience of love and togetherness, embracing the presence of little ones might be the perfect fit.

Opting for an Adults-Only Celebration

On the other hand, you might envision your wedding as a space where guests can fully immerse themselves in the experience—uninterrupted, intimate, and deeply present. Choosing an adults-only wedding allows for a different kind of energy: long, heartfelt conversations without distraction, a relaxed atmosphere, and a focus on your love story without the unpredictability that children bring.

This decision doesn’t mean you value family any less—it simply means that for this particular moment, you want the focus to remain on your connection and the shared experience of your closest loved ones. An adults-only event can also provide a more intimate and romantic ambiance, allowing for deep conversations, candlelit toasts, and uninhibited dance floor moments that reflect your free-spirited, easy-going nature.

Finding the Middle Ground

If you’re torn between both options, there are creative ways to balance your love for family and your desire for a seamless celebration:

Kids for the Ceremony, Adults for the Reception: This allows little ones to be part of the meaningful moments while giving parents a chance to let loose later in the evening.
A Separate Kids' Space: Hiring a childcare service or setting up a designated play area can keep children entertained while ensuring a smooth, relaxed experience for all.
Involving Children in Special Moments: Whether it’s including them in a family portrait session, having them participate in a pre-ceremony gathering, or capturing candid moments with them throughout the day, there are ways to celebrate their presence while maintaining the flow of your wedding.

Whatever You Decide, Make It Yours

At the heart of your wedding is your love—unique, unconventional, and deeply meaningful. Whether you choose to have children at your wedding or not, your decision should reflect what feels right for you as a couple. And no matter what, your wedding photographs will tell a story that is authentically, beautifully yours—filled with emotion, connection, and the kind of moments that transcend time.

Whatever path you take, make sure it aligns with your values, your vision, and the love you want to share on your wedding day. After all, this is your moment to celebrate in the way that feels most true to you.