Should You Have a Child-Free Wedding? Celeb Wedding Planner Lisa Vorce Breaks Down the Pros and Cons

For many couples, deciding whether to invite children to their wedding can be a difficult decision.

While leaving little ones off the guest list can solve some key planning challenges, it can also ruffle a few feathers. Some people do not feel offended when they are told that their children must stay at home. It also means that parents have to arrange childcare for a night out or even a weekend.

However, an increasing number of brides and grooms decide to organize events for adults only. According to Zola, which released its Wedding Trends 2024: First Look Report on December 11, 79.5% of couples surveyed said they were in favor of childless weddings.

To make your decision easier and less overwhelming, celebrity wedding planner Lisa Vorce, whose long list of A-list clients includes John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and Kate Upton and Justin Verlander, breaks down the pros and cons of getting married without kids.

Pros: Parents can enjoy a date night

Leaving children off the guest list means parents can turn the wedding celebration into a special outing for themselves. “Many parents are very grateful for this opportunity and see it as a gift!” says Vorce. “They can be fully present and focus on you and your big day instead of worrying about their children.”

Cons: Photos will lack that ‘cute’ factor

When it comes to the spontaneity that makes a photo truly special, children never miss it. With adults-only weddings, says Vorce, there’s a “missed opportunity” to capture those sweet and memorable photos that become instant favorites.

“We 100% guarantee you’ll get some extra special adorable photos when little ones are involved,” notes the event organizer.

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Pros: No distracting noise

For some couples, the only sound they want to hear at their wedding is their guests laughing and enjoying themselves and the DJ spinning a killer playlist. Having small children running around can undoubtedly be noisy.

“As cute as they are, sometimes a baby who cries during a ceremony or during a special toast isn’t so cute,” notes Vorce. “A child-free event ensures that none of these scenarios will happen.”

Cons: You risk offending some of your guests

Not including children in your wedding is a decision that some people may find unacceptable or logistically inconvenient.

“A child-free event can unfortunately cause some of your friends and family to take a bit of offense, as the child-free rule is often interpreted as ‘you don’t like my children’ or it can just put them in a situation where they simply can’t attend due to lack of childcare,” explains Vorce. “Not allowing them to bring their children often means they might choose not to attend.”

Pros: No editing required

With no young guests to think about, couples can host a real grown-up affair. “You don’t have to worry about editing the event so it’s kid-friendly,” says Vorce.

“Everything from the potential removal of explicit [song] verses modifying the layout of the dinner reception (where to put the high chairs!), to ordering special meals,” she continues. “Not to mention the safety concerns of children around pools, large bodies of water, and the like. Without children, it’s one less planning layer to worry about.”

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Con: Weddings are fun memories for kids

There’s no doubt that weddings can be an exciting experience for children – whether it’s dressing up as a flower girl or hitting the dance floor at the reception.

“So many kids have the most amazing memories of being in or attending a wedding,” says Vorce. “Technically it’s not your responsibility, but leaving the kids out of the big day doesn’t give them a chance to build those memories. You’ll be giving them a great gift if they’re involved.”

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For: A smaller guest list

Weddings are expensive—according to Zola, the average price of a wedding will top $30,000 in 2024—so hosting a kid-free event means fewer guests, saving money on the budget.

“Although the children’s meal is smaller than the adult meal, the children are another item on the guest list and are included in the catering and rent,” says Vorce. “Going out without kids helps control the number of guests and is a pro on the budget side.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education