Family Attendance: More Complex Than It Seems
Inviting families to weddings involves more than just counting heads. Children, nannies, elderly relatives with caregivers, and complex household structures all affect your planning.
Deciding on Children at Your Wedding
Before anything else, decide your policy:
All children welcome. Family-friendly celebration with kids included in headcount and seating.
Limited children. Perhaps only immediate family kids or those in the wedding party.
Adults only. No children; communicate clearly and early.
Whatever you choose, communicate it explicitly. Assumptions create problems.
When Children Are Welcome
Ask about kids specifically. Your RSVP form should ask how many children are attending, not leave families guessing.
Get ages. Infant, toddler, child, and teenager have different seating, food, and entertainment needs.
Consider kids' meals. Most caterers offer children's menu options at lower cost.
The Nanny Question
Filipino families with young children often bring yayas (nannies) to events:
Ask about nannies in your RSVP. Include a field for families to indicate if they're bringing childcare help.
Plan their seating. Nannies need to sit somewhere. Typically near the children they're caring for.
Include in catering count. They need meals too.
The Bottom Line
Family attendance requires clear communication, explicit questions in your RSVP process, and flexible planning. Don't assume anything - ask about kids, nannies, and caregivers directly. Your guests will appreciate the clarity, and you'll get accurate counts for planning.