One of the big guest list decisions couples have to make is deciding whether your wedding is going to be family friendly or adults only. Is it a kid-full or kid-free event? 


Back in the day, you wouldn’t think twice about inviting the kids because the entire wedding would be hosted by the bride’s family, likely at their own home, so of course the children would attend. But in recent years, we’ve seen lots of weddings without kids that are just as fun and full of love. It all comes down to the type of party you want to throw, the important people in your life and what kind of compromises you want to make.


Can't Come or Date Night? 
Some people may not have anyone to stay with the children while they go to a wedding, especially if the wedding is out of town. Bringing their children may make it easier to come and not have to bail on the event. Although this is a concern for some, others gladly accept an invitation to attend a wedding without their children. They make it a date night, and for some a night out without the kids that they haven't had in a while. These parents are the ones making the most of the opportunity by having drinks at the bar and dancing the night away on the dance floor. Maybe the best option is to have a kid-friendly area with a babysitter that makes it an easier decision for parents to make.


Having Your Favorite Kids There or Not Dealing With Kids At All.
If you have important kids in your life having a kid-friendly wedding means you can incorporate those children in the day. You can invite them to be a part of the wedding party as ring bearers, flower girls, junior bridesmaids/groomsmen, etc. These are at times some of the cutest moments of any event. One of the biggest pros of not having kids at your wedding is not having to deal with them. That means you don’t have to deal with crying or temper tantrum.  You don’t have to watch kids running around the venue. You can have some uncensored adult fun without worrying about any young innocent eyes watching, especially when alcohol is involved. 


Kid Atmosphere or Cheaper Wedding 
If your wedding is all about family, it can be really nice to invite the kids. It helps to keep the vibe casual and comfortable. Plus, it means parents and kids don’t have to split up. If you’re going for a cozy and comfortable vibe, keeping kids on the guest list might be the way to go. The best way to cut down on wedding costs is to cut down on the guest list. So opting to go kids-free can sometimes save you a significant amount of money. That’s less mouths to feed, less drinks to buy, fewer tables to rent and decorate, no kids’ activities to buy to entertain them, etc. It also frees up space if there were other adults you wanted to invite.


In the end, you should do what works best for you and your partner and the wedding you envision. If you do plan to say no to kids, make sure this is very clear on your wedding website, invites, save the dates, etc. Parents need lots of time to prepare in advance. If you feel rude saying “no kids” try alternate wording such as “adults-only affair,” “parents’ night off” or “18+ event.” You may also want to go the extra mile and research some local babysitting options or hire a sitter to watch the kids – this is especially nice if it’s a destination wedding and families are traveling to be there. And lastly, prepare yourself to have some families decline. Some parents won’t be able to or won’t want to leave their kids at home. Respect their decision as they’ve respected yours to keep your wedding adults-only.



If you are interested in learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of having children at your wedding, Classic Elegance Events is happy to discuss with you. Classic Elegance Events is a boutique wedding planning firm located in South Florida specializing in full-service wedding planning, day-of coordination and event consultation.





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The Traditional Cookie Table

By Joyce Schlanger • May 2, 2022
If you have ever been to a wedding in Southwest Pennsylvania, then chances are great that you know what a cookie table is. If not, then you have missed out on something special. Historically, cookie tables were found predominantly at Catholic and Eastern European family weddings. Today, the famous tables can be found at almost any Pittsburgh wedding. Other areas in Ohio, West Virginia, New Jersey, and New York all have their own version of this tradition. Cookie tables are a sight to behold and one that many wedding guests look forward to more than the wedding itself. Once you have experienced this sweet wedding tradition, you'll be looking for the cookie table no matter where the wedding takes place. Filled with tray after tray of homemade cookies, these tables can range from a small table with a few hundred cookies to elaborate spreads that span the wall of an entire hotel ballroom, holding thousands of cookies. Not only can guests sample all of the sweet treats at the wedding, take-home containers are also provided so no one leaves empty-handed. And we are not talking about a few chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies, either. People spend weeks making their special delights for the big day. From pecan tassies and dainty lady fingers to that special family cookie that has been made for generations, you name the cookie and it will probably be on the table. While no one is quite sure when the cookie table tradition began, the consensus is that immigrants started it out of necessity. Elaborate wedding cakes were expensive and many immigrants were unable to afford them. Cookies could be made for the wedding by grandmothers, mothers, and other family members at a relatively low cost that was spread out among many people. By bringing old-world cookies to weddings, the tradition was also a way for immigrants to honor their heritage in their new country. The cookie table is so special because, aside from keeping the tradition alive, the Wedding Cookie Table gives family and loved ones the opportunity to show their love and adoration for the newlyweds through working with their hands. The baker carefully selects each cookie and takes great pride in his or her confections. Keeping the bride and groom in mind, often the baker aims to elicit a warm and happy memory. Each person is baking with love and pride for their loved one, and those feelings manifest into a variety of sweet, sweet treats that you and I get to enjoy! If you are interested in having your very own Cookie Table on your special day, Classic Elegance Events is happy to incorporate this special traditional in your customized wedding planning package. Classic Elegance Events is a boutique wedding planning firm located in South Florida specializing in full-service wedding planning, day-of coordination and event consultation.

Wedding Planners Add Value

By Joyce Schlanger • April 19, 2022
Planning and designing a wedding are harder than it looks and is a lot of work. There are numerous details and tasks that need to be done. Did you know it takes roughly 250-300 hours to plan a wedding? The legwork it takes to plan, interview, compare quotes, come up with ideas, design and pull it all together is a huge undertaking. Hiring a wedding planner can make joyful times a little easier on your nerves, we save you time, aggravation and stress. We help you avoid pitfalls throughout the planning process and on your wedding day. Hiring a wedding planner can really make the entire process more manageable and enjoyable for you. You should be excited about your big day, not stressed or tearful. A wedding planner can get the ball rolling so that you can make important decisions. We will help bring your vision together and put you in touch with wedding professionals and suppliers who can bring you day to life and keep you within your budget. Wedding planners review contracts to make sure no important details or information is missing. Planners keep everything on schedule, and we will always have your best interest at heart. They can be your personal sounding board and to help negate bickering or intense conversations with those around you. We help keep your mental well-being safe by helping to guide these situations to save yourself from unwanted arguments. Wedding planners help put your scattered ideas into one cohesive design. We not only want to deliver an organized event, but an all around beautifully designed event. Wedding planners stay on top of the trends and help conceptualize a design that makes your wedding design on your own. We can give you great insight on industry norms and explain what you can expect. Wedding planners do all this and more. We are a valuable resource for you during the planning process and the day of coordination. Eighty nine percent of brides who hire a wedding planner were pleased that they did, but only thirty four percent of brides actually hire planners. Many brides do not understand their true value until it is too late. Contact a planner today to deliver what you expect and envision for your wedding day.

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