Whether or not you and your fiancé choose to allow children at your wedding is inevitably something you’ll have to address. The two of you should take time to consider the factors of having kids at your wedding: How much will it affect your budget? Will you allow all children to attend or only those involved with the wedding? Will you arrange for any childcare services?

Decide early in the planning process before you start writing out invitations and be prepared for some ruffled feathers in response. Whatever your expectations, be clear about them, and how you want to deliver that information. For example, “Please make it a date night! Our wedding is for adults only.”

Should you decide to allow kids at your wedding, here’s our best tips!

Designate a kids-area with: games, coloring books, or building blocks at the reception.
Have a children’s menu.
Arrange for childcare so parents can enjoy.

Just remember that this is your day and you get to decide who’s invited to the wedding. Be thoughtful and helpful to your guests with kids if they aren’t allowed to attend; and if little Emily can’t keep away from the dance floor on wedding day, just enjoy the moment and make sure the photographer snaps a cute pic of all of you dancing together!