In the clip, posted by @tulaay_nuridin, the bride can be seen about to walk down a red carpet, presumably into the reception, as approximately seven children run in front of her. The video caption reads: “POV: You didn’t want kids at your wedding.”
Wedding-planning experts at The Knot have put together a step-by-step online guide for having a child-free wedding, from the invites to the phone calls. Firstly, they suggest that you need to be honest from the beginning with guests, so there is no awkwardness or confusion later.
Don’t Waver – “Even if you’ve properly addressed the invites, shared via word of mouth and posted a note on your website, be prepared to get some pushback. Just remember, like with other decisions you’re making, this is your wedding day and you and your partner get to decide who’s invited to the wedding—period. “Don’t Print “Adults Only” on the Invitations – “You shouldn’t feel guilty for keeping your wedding a kid-free zone, but it’s not polite to specify your wishes front and center on the invitations. Having a child-free wedding can be a very sensitive issue for some invited guests, especially out-of-town family members, future in-laws and close friends with little ones. For a more tactful approach, have your immediate family, wedding-party members and friends spread the word to guests by word of mouth, so they have lots of time to secure childcare. “Do Call Anyone Who Assumes Their Kids Are Invited – “It’s normal to start hearing from family members who are questioning why your younger cousins, nieces and nephews aren’t allowed to come. Address the sensitive issue right away by calling and explaining, unfortunately, you can’t invite everyone you’d like. You can blame it on budget and venue constraints (if you want), which often wards off further protests and avoids hurt feelings. But, remember, you don’t have to give a lengthy explanation. "
One user commented: “We had a strict no-kids at our wedding. Was the best decision. Some parents are glad to have a night off, some complained.”
Whether to allow children at your wedding can be one of the most-contentious parts of the planning, and can lead to fallings-out, guests refusing to come, or childless guests complaining that the whole event felt like a creche.
TikToker Alyssa wrote: “I would allow my nephew and younger siblings but that’s IT. People don’t understand that a wedding is not about anyone other than the bride and groom.”
User zeus commented: “I still can’t understand why parents don’t get a babysitter? Or leave the kids by themselves at home? Some of them look old enough to watch themselves.”
“Why didn’t any of the SEVERAL adults that are standing there make them wait until they had walked thru,” koreechantee posted.
Newsweek has reached out to @tulaay_nuridin for comment.
