How to Politely Say ‘No Kids’ on Wedding Invitations
Planning a wedding means making a hundred emotional decisions, sometimes before breakfast. One of the trickiest? Telling guests that your celebration won’t include little ones. The good news is that ‘no children’ doesn’t have to sound cold or unwelcoming. With the right wording, you can keep things kind, clear, and actually quite charming.
Whether it’s about budget, venue constraints, or simply creating the vibe you want (less Peppa Pig, more Prosecco), here are some tips for saying ‘no kids’ gracefully, followed by plenty of wording examples you can copy, paste and pour into your stationery.
A Little Note on ‘Babes in Arms’
If you're happy for newborns who stay snuggled with their parents, do state this! It prevents well-meaning guests declining because they assume an absolute ban.
If You’d Like to Add a Gentle Explanation
On your details card or website, you could include something like:
Thank you so much for understanding our decision to keep our wedding celebration child-free. We hope it gives parents the perfect excuse for a fun night off to eat, drink and dance with us!
Sweet, sensible, and softly reassuring – much like a good Victoria sponge.
Final Reassurance
Setting boundaries around your wedding day is okay. You’re allowed to shape a celebration that feels like you. Most guests will understand, especially when they read it phrased with love rather than legislated by laminate.
Top Tips (Before You Blame the Venue, the Vicar, or Your Cousin Sue)
1. Be clear, not cryptic
Hinting at a child-free event leaves room for interpretation, and interpretation leads to unexpected toddlers on the dancefloor.
2. Keep the tone warm
Think ‘gentle boundary’ rather than ‘royal decree’.
3. Offer understanding
Acknowledge it may require babysitting plans – empathy goes a long way.
4. Use your details card or website
If you have a wedding website, it’s a perfect place to explain with a touch more personality.
5. Avoid judgement
Nobody likes to feel their kids are the reason you’ve invested in extra candlesticks and bouncers.
20 Friendly Examples of ‘No Kids’ Wording
Here are 20 options that strike a balance between polite and precise – without sounding like a secondary school detention letter.
We kindly request an adult-only celebration.
Although we adore your little ones, our wedding day will be adults only.
Our celebration has limited space, so we are keeping our guest list to adults.
Please join us for a child-free wedding celebration.
We hope you understand our special day will be for grown-ups only.
To allow all guests to relax and enjoy, we are holding an adults-only wedding.
We respectfully request no children attend the ceremony or reception.
Due to venue restrictions, children are unable to attend. Thank you for understanding.
We love children, but have decided to keep our day adults only.
The invitation is extended to adults only. We hope you can still celebrate with us!
Our wedding will be an adult-focused celebration. Thank you for your understanding.
To create the atmosphere we envision, our wedding day will be adults only.
Please note our celebration is for adults. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
We hope you enjoy a night off – our wedding is adults only!
Whilst we love your children dearly, we are only able to accommodate adults on the day.
Our wedding day will be for grown-ups only – thank you for understanding.
We’re keeping the bubbles and the guest list for adults only.
Leave the little ones with your favourite sitter and enjoy celebrating with us!
Our wedding is adults only – think cocktails, dancing and a well-deserved break.
Babes in arms welcome, however the day will otherwise be adults only.
