I'll chime in on the child's point of view. I was a quiet and perfectly well behaved child (yes, really) and I could entertain myself quietly for hours. Almost always. But I was dragged to a cousin's wedding when I was 8 or 9, and it was one of the few truly miserable experiences I remember from my childhood. I was bored out of my mind, surrounded by adults who were virtually all unknown to me -- it was an out of state affair -- and all I wanted to do was escape. I think it's doing the children a favor not to take them. I do agree though, that the ceremony, if children are invited might be ok. But the reception was the pits. Even cake didn't make up for it!