extra guests - children!

You've not really much choice other than to nicely explain to them that you'd love to invite their children however you're at your maximum capacity and the venue wouldn't allow it. Just say you'd love to have them there if it were at all possible but it isn't and you'll understand if they can't come if they really can't get childcare, i'm sure if they realise the reasoning they'll try their best to get a babysitter for the night. Although they might (just might) get a bit miffed at turning up to see other children running about, just trying to think of how i'd feel about it if it were me getting the invite. It can't be helped though if you simply don't have the numbers and they'll kindly but firmly have to be told that.

Thanks Matthewsmummy3. We love children and as much as possible wanted to include them, but our focus was on family children. We have decided to have round tables at our venue as opposed to long tables. We felt this would encourage people to talk more and its easier to decorate a round table I feel. but this means our numbers are limited to 74 people. It sounds harsh if we tell friends they cant bring their children, but we cant really adapt our wedding so more and more people can add guests on to our list. Its a horrible decision to make as we dont want to exclude any one.

Youu don't need to justify that you have invited children. It's a family thing, they are family. babies will be fine (well really small ones) wont increase numbers as food etc is entirely parents.

you have invited to your max, tell them you can't confirm until everyone else has RSVP'd. and don't agonise. It's a closed number, outside your and their control. Don't try to please. Stick to the numbers. If they can't get childcare accept they wont be there, not because of spite but because of logistics.

Don't worry about it/ feelings. You've done what you can.

I would tell them that as it stands at the moment you don't have room to accommodate them but should other guests pull out then you'll let them know.

I would explain about family children only.. We aren't sending invites out yet but I've started mentioning to people that we will have family/bridal party kids only as our venue doesn't have a lot of outside space and with less than 50 guests invited, 11 of those were kids and 9 were under 5. X

No advice on the children thing, but I think you have to accept that people will bring babies, especially if they're breastfeeding. The plus side is, you don't have to pay for them.

Our rule was no children except nephews and nieces, apart from babies under one.

Maybe tell them you'll do your best to include them but it will only be possible if you get two guests unable to attend, as for the baby, speak to your venue and check that babies wont be included in the capacity (its a fire safety thing, but some places dont count babies as a hazard in the same way as older kids/adults.