Ask Grace: Elegance can come in small packages!

February 25, 2010 | by Social Grace

Dear Social Grace,

My husband and I really want to have an elegant wedding but it’s proven impossible because my siblings and cousins have a huge amount of offspring. I want to say no kids at the wedding, but even when I hinted at the idea, my family had an uproar. How do I get a grown-up event when a third of my family is under 15?

From,

Killjoy in San Francisco

Dear Killjoy,

I completely understand wanting to have an elegant, beautiful and calm wedding. However, since you have so many family members under-age it will be difficult to say absolutely no kids. If just hinting at the idea put your family in a frenzy then you certainly need some options!

Before I give you these options let me say this: kids really do benefit by getting the opportunity to dress up and “act like a grown-up”, and they are your family, one day they will be older and you might regret not giving them the chance to be with you on your family’s special day.

If you still don’t love the idea of kid attendees then here are some ways you can compromise:

1. You could pay a baby sitter to keep the kid guests busy during the ceremony/ reception with age appropriate activities and games.

2. You can plan to have the entire family (little ones included) attend your ceremony and then have an adult only reception. This would require pushing your reception back at least an hour to give your family members the opportunity to drop their kids off at a friend’s house. After the kids get situated with a babysitter/ friend or other non-invited loved one you can be sure to have the elegant night you have been waiting for!

Hope your wedding is fun & relaxing for you and the whole family!

xoxo,

Grace

EDITOR’S NOTE: Just for fun, check out what Lazy Susan has to say.