Now that I'm a mom, I wish I hadn't banned friends' kids from our wedding. It would have made the day more special.

The author with her husband on their (mostly) kids-free wedding day.

Courtesy of Rachel Miranda Photography

• My then fiancé and I decided not to invite kids who weren't relatives to our wedding.
• We feared they might misbehave and become a distraction.
• Now that I'm a mom, I realize it was wrong. It would have been nicer to host them and their parents.

Meeting a pair of English friends for a meal during our vacation in my native UK this past summer, it struck me how easily the conversation flowed.