Vent: Invited to 4 child-free weddings this summer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family/friends are for the most part waspy, Jewish, or Irish/Italian (but in the US for multiple generations), and I don't think I've ever been to a wedding that did include kids. We've gotten 10+ different babysitters in different cities over the years. The bride/groom have always been able to refer us to someone, or a couple times we found someone on Craigslist, but that was over 10 years ago lol. Family members were usually fine with us bringing the kids to the church ceremony, but the reception would always be an adult event. I think it is a cultural divide. In our case (and with friends of similar backgrounds), our dcs went to bed at 6:30/7pm when they were little - which is just when cocktail hour is getting started at a reception. We are now in our 40s and the wedding era is over- I'm jealous, OP! We had so many fun nights, and it is great to recharge with DH.

NY? I'm a NYC WASP with a similar mix of friend group who also can't recall attending any weddings with kids. I certainly know the first wedding I attended was as an adult when my own friends started getting married. I've always gotten babysitters for my own kids and enjoyed a night out, would not even occur to me to want to bring them or think the evening would be improved by a more daycare like atmosphere.

I’m from the south and don’t recall attending weddings with kids. I only remember kids at one wedding and it was a large Indian wedding. I don’t think wealthy people typically have kids at weddings. Most of the time the venue isn’t appropriate for kids if it’s a nice wedding.

I’m also from the south and attended a ton of “old money” CC weddings and all included kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My family/friends are for the most part waspy, Jewish, or Irish/Italian (but in the US for multiple generations), and I don't think I've ever been to a wedding that did include kids. We've gotten 10+ different babysitters in different cities over the years. The bride/groom have always been able to refer us to someone, or a couple times we found someone on Craigslist, but that was over 10 years ago lol. Family members were usually fine with us bringing the kids to the church ceremony, but the reception would always be an adult event. I think it is a cultural divide. In our case (and with friends of similar backgrounds), our dcs went to bed at 6:30/7pm when they were little - which is just when cocktail hour is getting started at a reception. We are now in our 40s and the wedding era is over- I'm jealous, OP! We had so many fun nights, and it is great to recharge with DH.

NY? I'm a NYC WASP with a similar mix of friend group who also can't recall attending any weddings with kids. I certainly know the first wedding I attended was as an adult when my own friends started getting married. I've always gotten babysitters for my own kids and enjoyed a night out, would not even occur to me to want to bring them or think the evening would be improved by a more daycare like atmosphere.

I’m from the south and don’t recall attending weddings with kids. I only remember kids at one wedding and it was a large Indian wedding. I don’t think wealthy people typically have kids at weddings. Most of the time the venue isn’t appropriate for kids if it’s a nice wedding.

I’m also from the south and attended a ton of “old money” CC weddings and all included kids.

But how?? A nice reception starts at what, 7 PM? I can’t see how an upscale wedding could properly include kids. Were the kids expected to stay through the reception until midnight? Or was the expectation that the mom would leave the reception with the kids? Was there a kids meal served for the kids and/or a kids table? I just can’t envision my two year old eating a surf and turf dinner at 8 PM. He would be throwing the plates off the table if he were up at 8 PM.

[Anonymous]

It is pathetic that modern families cannot afford or are too anxious to travel somewhere for a couple of nights without their kids.

It seems very unhealthy.

[Anonymous]

It's an invite, not a subpoena. You don't have to go.