[jtsmith]

We have a family wedding come up. We are invited, but not in the wedding party. It is our understanding that it's a very formal wedding. Are children "normally" excluded from formal weddings? We're expected to travel a very long distance for the wedding. It is both the bride/groom's second wedding, so I can't see the importance of such strict guidelines. Thanks for your help!

[the_admin]

There are no guidelines regarding children at formal weddings except to say that typically formal weddings are held in the evening at a time when most children would be sleeping. Many times there is alcohol and more of an adult atmousphere which many parents might not find appropriate for their children.

It is up to the bride and groom to decide if they want their wedding to be free of children. It really doesn't matter if it's their first or fourth. If your children are not invited you have a few choices.

1. Make the trip with a babysitter in tow.

2. Make the trip and use babysitting service offered by the hotel (not peersonally something I would choose but there is that service avaialble).

3. Decline the invitation.

Please review the board regarding the gift question since this has been answered many times before. If you do not locate an appropriate answer please feel free to post a new question.