How to React If Your Children Are Not Included in a Wedding Invitation

It's a privilege to attend a couple's wedding day and to share in their joy as they embark on the start of their married lives together. However, as you glance down at the invitation and see your children are not included, how should you react?

Don't Call the Bride and Groom and Ask for an Invitation

As tempting as it may be to pick up the phone and call the bride and groom and question the apparent omission, it is important to refrain from doing so. It is unwise to conclude that the couple have simply "forgotten" to include your children, as they will be looking at seating arrangements, catering services and much more that require a set number of guests. It is therefore highly unlikely that your children were accidentally passed over when the couple were sending out wedding invitations.

Don't Take it Personally

Parents are usually protective of their children and will react strongly to any real or perceived injustices done to their children. If your children have not been invited to join you and your spouse to the wedding, it is important not to take the bride and groom's decision personally.

There are a number of reasons that could explain why your children have not been invited. Some couples simply do not have the money to invite everyone to their wedding, which is why they would prefer to keep the wedding party intimate with close family and friends present. Others do not want to have to alter the wedding arrangements to accommodate disruptive small children, as they struggle to sit still during the wedding ceremony or as they run around during the reception while speeches are being made.

Graciously RSVP

It is only natural to take it personally and feel offended if your children have not been expressly invited to attend the wedding with you. However, now is not the time to subject the bride and groom to a rude tirade and refuse to attend their wedding. Once you receive the wedding invitation, decide whether you will be able to attend and graciously RSVP as soon as possible. The bride and groom need to know who will be attending. Keeping them waiting will make their job harder and more stressful as their big day approaches.

If your children have not been invited to the wedding, do not assume there has been a mistake and call the bride and groom asking for an invitation. It is also important not to take the decision personally and to graciously RSVP as soon as possible. Placing yourself in the bride and groom's position can help you to cope with feelings of disappointment.