Search icon

Life

08th Feb 2022

Woman “irritated” by wording of child-free wedding invites

Katy Brennan

She said the couple’s decision was “inconvenient and expensive” for parents.

A woman has been left furious after receiving two “child-free” wedding invites.

Taking to mumsnet.com, she shared the reasons for her irritation – and opinions are divided.

“We have been invited to two child-free weddings, both in June,” she explained. “We are going to attend both and are pulling in favours for childcare.

“However I can’t pretend that I’m not mildly irritated by the wording in one of the invites.”

The first invitation she recieved read: “Unfortunately bearing in mind we have limited guest numbers we cannot accommodate everyone’s children. However, this is a golden opportunity for parents to enjoy a night of relaxation and uninhibited revelry!”

Meanwhile, the second stated: “Whilst we love your children, please note this is an adult only occasion.”

The woman said she took particular issue with the first invitation because of how it sugar-coated things to make it seem like a night-off for parents.

“The first annoyed me as actually it’s not going to be relaxing for me in the slightest, it’s quite inconvenient and expensive to not be able to bring the children and I’m more likely to be hand expressing in the toilets than dancing on a table.

“It is absolutely the couple’s prerogative to have the wedding they want including making a decision to have no children – just own it and say so instead of dancing around it and pretending it’s a night off for me.”

Many took to the comments to support her, agreeing that there was no reason for the bride and groom to word the invitation in such a way.

“I agree with you. I hate it when they try to pass it off as doing the guests a favour. It’s a nuisance and an expense sorting childcare. I’m all for child free weddings, but as you say, just be frank about and don’t dress it up as a favour,” one person said.

“They are trying to put a positive spin on their decision, but it comes across as patronising. It’s also the babysitter that is allowing you to be child free for a night, not the wedding,” another added.

Others said the invitation wouldn’t have bothered them.

“Have to say I disagree and wouldn’t be offended by either. I’m also completely on board with child-free weddings,” one person wrote.

“Wording wouldn’t bother me in the least. Maybe tongue in cheek? Assume they are childless. The hassle of going to a child free wedding would, and has, bothered me more,” a second added.