What is an appropriate age for a child to attend an elegant evening wedding?

I have decided to have a formal wedding at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in DC. It is very elegant. The wedding will be on Friday evening and will end late. Signature drinks will be served and there will also be an open bar. The catering alone is about $200pp. I don't want to have little chidren there. What do you think is the youngest age I should invite?|||Minimum age for a formal wedding is between 13-16 years of age. depends on the maturity of those children. I would go with around 15.





It is not rude to not want small children at a formal wedding. It is a $200 a plate wedding. It is no place to bring screaming infants, cranky toddlers, or over active preteens who still don't understand etiquette. Would you bring children to any political function that costs $200+ a plate, or expensive fundraiser? No you wouldn't. The same goes for formal weddings. It is the bride and grooms decision and I am all for it.





Both of my cousins with children never go to weddings with their kids. Three of my friends with kids don't bring their babies to weddings. They all have yet to feel insulted about it, as well, if they receive an "Adults Only " invite. They actually like not having to worry about their kids running amok at a reception.








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I am having an informal Vegas wedding where all my family is invited including kids. If I were to have a formal wedding, children would be excluded.|||You can set the age at whatever you want, but a good rule of thumb is around 15 years old for a formal wedding. At this age, they are generally well behaved, can take care of themselves, and eat a full meal that you have paid top $$ for.





The best way to accomplish this is when sending the invitation, be sure and write the names of those invited on the inside envelope. For instance, when you want the children invited, the inside envelope will include the parents names, as well as the children's names. Most people know, when receiving an invitation, that children are not invited, unless their names are listed, or unless "and family" is written on the inside invitation.








|||I think you either need to invite all children or no children. Younger children will feel left out if older siblings/cousins get to go while they stay home with a babysitter. Also if you do not invite children there will be a chance of less people showing up since they do not want to spend $ on a babysitter all evening. I do understand your reasons for not wanting younger children there but maybe you could find a compromise. (example- children are not invited to the ceremony but can come after the reception for the dance, if you are having one, that way they are not left out completely but will not be disturbing your special moment. that way parents can choose to leave children at home or bring them later and leave as they get tired)|||21?





It is not inappropriate to request that parent's leave their children at home. Some of the responses you get will most likely be inappropriate, but with drinks being served and this being a grown up affair, i would remind my guests that children are not allowed in bars either. If you want to invite the older kids I would say 13 or so. they should be old enough to know better. But it is your wedding do what makes you happy. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you. Good luck. |||It really depends on your family and preference. If you are close to the kids in your family or not.





You have the option of inviting adults only or the youngest kid can be 13.


Its really up to you and no one should judge.


|||I would say 13 and older. But whatever age you choose, stick to it and don't apologize for your decision. It's your wedding and if it's costing that much, it should be exactly the way you want it!|||I really don't think you can tell parents that they cant bring there children if they don't want them to be there they will make that decision themselves!|||A week old and up! Children of any age should be invited to a wedding, along with their families. Doesn't matter if it's formal or if there's a bar.|||I think a wedding like that would be an absolute bore to children of any age. I would stick with adults and maybe older teens, at minimum.|||We didn't have anyone under 18 invited, with the exception of my younger brother and DH younger brother (who were 16 and 14). |||My family's rule is high school and up. Everyone knows this and nobody gets upset or offended.|||It depends on how old the child looks. But 13 should be the least age if she/he looks like a 13 year old|||Over 13. That was the rule at my wedding.|||14 - by that age , they understand (or should) what it means to behave|||11 yrs and up|||I would say at least 13.