Childfree wedding wording for the invitation and your website
Updated 26 October 2026 · Written by Lysela
Say it once, clearly and kindly, and use the same words everywhere: on the invitation, on your wedding website and when someone asks. One sentence is enough, for example "We would like to celebrate this day with the grown-ups." Say it early so parents have time to find a babysitter, and put any exceptions in the same sentence. Here is childfree wedding wording to borrow, where to place it, and what to say when guests ask anyway.
Try it yourself, no account neededHow do you word a childfree wedding invitation?
Say it plainly
Writing only the parents' names on the envelope and hoping they understand rarely works. One sentence on the invitation means nobody has to guess.
Start with what you want
"We want to celebrate with the grown-ups" sounds like an invitation. "Children are unfortunately not welcome" sounds like a rule. You say the same thing, but guests read it differently.
Write it as "we"
It is your choice, so say "we". It reads as a wish from the two of you, and nobody feels judged.
Keep it short
One or two sentences. Longer explanations tend to start a discussion.
Put exceptions in the same sentence
If nursing babies or children in the family are welcome, say so right there. Otherwise every parent asks you one by one.
Adults only wedding invitation: wordings to borrow
Replace anything in square brackets.
We would like to celebrate this day with the grown-ups. Think of it as a well-earned evening off.
We love your children, but this evening will be a party for grown-ups. We hope you can come and celebrate with us.
Our wedding is an adults-only celebration.
Children are welcome at the ceremony. At the party we celebrate with the grown-ups.
The party is for adults, though nursing babies are of course welcome.
This is an adults-only party, apart from our own children, [name] and [name], who will celebrate with us.
We have chosen to celebrate with adult guests. We are telling you early so there is time to arrange childcare, and we know that takes time.
This invitation is for [name] and [name].
When and where do you say the wedding is childfree?
On a Lysela wedding website you put the line in the Good to know section, which is in every tier. You write a heading and a text, for example:
| Where | What to do | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Save the date | A short line, or just "a party for adults". | The earlier, the easier it is to book a sitter. More in the save the date guide. |
| Invitation | One sentence from the wordings above, and only the adults' names. | What else goes on the card is covered in the wedding invitation guide. |
| Wedding website | The same sentence under "Good to know", so it is there for anyone looking. | Use the same words as on the invitation so the message matches. |
| RSVP | A line above the form about who is invited. | See the section on the RSVP below. |
| To someone who asks | A short answer, preferably written, in the same tone. | Examples below. |
Children We are celebrating with adult guests this day. [Nursing babies are of course welcome.] If you have questions, get in touch with [name].
Exceptions: which children can still come?
Draw the line so you can explain it in one sentence. "No children except our own and nursing babies" holds. "Some children, but not all" leads to follow-up questions. If you treat all guests alike, you avoid explaining why one relative may bring children and a friend may not.
Nursing babies
The most common exception. A baby who is nursed can rarely be left, and most guests understand straight away.
Your own children
If you have children, it is natural that they are there. Say so, so nobody wonders.
Children in the wedding party
Ring bearers and flower children are only there for part of the day. Say which part, such as the ceremony. More on the wedding party in the wedding party guide.
Close family
Nieces, nephews or cousins can be an exception. If it grows beyond a couple, remember that other guests will notice.
What do you say when guests ask about children?
Some guests ask anyway, and that is normal. Answer kindly and briefly, in the same words as the invitation.
We have decided the party is for adults, and we hope you can come anyway. We would love to have you there.
We understand that can be hard. We have gathered a few tips on the wedding website under Good to know. Tell us if you would like more suggestions.
Nursing babies are welcome. Do tell us if you need a quiet place to sit.
We understand, and we will miss you. We will share photos afterwards.
Tips: babysitters, a children's room and the journey home
A list of babysitters
Ask family and friends in the area if anyone can help, and put the names on the wedding website. Guests who travel far have nobody to ask.
A children's room at the venue
If the venue has a spare room, a sitter can be there with a few children. Ask the venue first, and decide who pays.
Accommodation near the party
Parents with a sitter at home often want to leave early. Suggest places to stay near the venue and ways to get home.
Give them the date early
A sitter is easier to book three months ahead than two weeks ahead.
Childfree wording on your wedding website and RSVP
With Lysela, you write the line about children under Good to know on the wedding website, in every tier. The RSVP takes one answer per household. From Plus, each household gets a personal link where the invited names are already filled in, so you see at once who is invited. A guest can still add more names, up to six in the same answer, so the page does not stop anyone from entering a child. That is why the clear sentence matters, on the card and on the page. The example pages show what Good to know looks like.
You pay once, SEK 795, SEK 1,795 or SEK 4,900 including VAT, and the site stays up for 12 months.
What usually goes on a wedding website, and what one costs, is in the checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How do you word a childfree wedding invitation?
Write one sentence that says what you want, for example "We would like to celebrate this day with the grown-ups." Put any exceptions in the same sentence and only the adults' names on the card.
Is it rude to have a childfree wedding?
No. It is your wedding and your choice. What can feel rude is guests hearing late or from someone else, so say it early and kindly.
Can you make exceptions for some children?
Yes, but write it down. Common exceptions are nursing babies, the couple's own children and children in the wedding party. A rule you can explain in one sentence is the easiest to keep.
When should you tell guests the wedding is childfree?
As early as you can, and no later than the invitation. Parents need time to find a sitter, and a line on the save the date gives them more.