Children at weddings - What are your venues rules?

We don't have any restrictions. We just need to let them know how many are coming and how many are babies so that they can get nappies, wipes, high chairs etc prepared.

We had nearly 20 kids at our wedding, 15 of which were under 12. Our venue had no rules on this matter and I'm not sure I would have booked with one that did - purely for the financial aspect.

We did hire childminders for during the ceremony but this was our choice (venue marriage licence couldn't seat everyone so by having childminders for the under 12s we could still invite everyone).

As our wedding was noon until midnight, it would have cost a fair whack to have a creche for 12 hours.

Our venue has no restrictions however one of our "top venues" when we were looking had the same rule regarding children.

I found it very off putting to be honest. I don't like the idea of paying for other people's babysitters (and I have children myself)!

Obviously the safety issue is very important though, I'd like to think none of my guests would get drunk and forget their kids. Why don't they leave the kids at home with a babysitter? that's what OH and I would do or one of us would stay sober.

I don't think my venue had an official "no child policy", but they certainly didn't go out of their way to provide for them. No highchairs, no baby changing, not the remotest consideration for child safety in the decor (no grills at the fireplaces, lots of glass, lots of sharp pokey candlesticks etc). I think their attitude might be summed up by "gentle discouragement"

Suited us fine though!

Ours doesn't have any rules regarding children, just people in general and that everyone should be behaving appropriately etc. Parents responsibility I think.
Our son will probably be the only child at ours so we won't have to worry about that anyway.

There are no restrictions at our venue- unless anyone in the family asks, in which case there is a strict "over 18's only" policy ?

*Genuine question as i've never come across anywhere that does this before*

How does it work? Is there an age limit on the children who must be supervised? & what would happen if a parent (or indeed parents) objected on the day to their child being supervised by a stranger? Would they be asked to leave? I have so many questions!

The only thing our venue say about children is that two children count as one adult in terms of cost. That's it. I'm surprised they have something like that - I thought it would be up to the individuals. That said, I'm sure the parents will welcome it!

Our venue had a children's room! Sofas, books, DVD player, TC, games, rocking horse, toys, chairs...it was wonderful! The children loved it, and parents knew they were fully entertained. The venue request that children are supervised in there, but they didn't mind that most of the day/evening children were in there on their own.

My venue doesn't have any rules. I on the other hand.....

Our venue doesnt have any rules but our wedding is adult only. There was just too many kids and none being in our families so was easier that way and parents can enjoy themselves/drink with no worries about the kids running around

Mine doesn't have any rules. It's an exclusive use venue and once wedding guests arrive the gates are locked so kids can roam free in gardens without pants worrying also te large room at the front won't be getting used for our ceremony so we are thinking of having a movies theme and hiring screen and projector and play classic and new kids films all day plus hiring a popcorn machine that will along with their board games (maybe adult size bouncy castle) keep them busy xx

I've heard of venues doing this too. Although not that many.

I think kids only become a problem when they are left and expected to behave themselves unsupervised. I've seen weddings with the. most. well. behaved. kids ever.

Then others where it all fell apart and St Johns Ambulance were called... In one case I ended up being the one stemming the blood from the childs eye which fortunately turned out to be just a scratched eyeball from a temperature spike which another kid had 'acquired' because the parents were letting them run free.

To this day I've never forgotten just how traumatic that was and I doubt I will. Most outstanding in my mind was the little girl reaching out for her mum, (who was in pieces) crying 'wuddle'.

But this was also the mum who was ignoring her and letting her run around the tables at full speed. (shrugs)

I think more venues should have these restrictions.

I'll probably get shot down for this but I think so many parents just don't control their kids any more.

This!

my venue- welcomes kids. It even had a room they suggested I could use as a crèche *shudder*