what did you do about kids?

SunnyJK · July 2010

did you invite kids to your wedding? did you arrange for a babysitter? we'll have about 10 kids under 5 and it's a destination wedding. i want to see them and have them at the ceremony, but wondering how to handle kids at the recpetion when our mom and dad friends and family want to have fun and party with us and kids want to run around or go to bed? thinking of setting up a babysitter at a nearby hotel. has anyone done this or seen this done? how did it work? other ideas?

Sapphire1002 · July 2010

I am not personally having young kids at the wedding (with the exception of my niece/nephhew/Godchild). I think many people hire a babysitter to be there on-site and it's a great way for their parents to relax and have a bit more fun @ the reception. You definitely could hire a babysitter at a nearby hotel, but would you know her? I know hotels have lists of babysitters (as they offer the service), but I guess I wouldn't be comfortable leaving 10 kids with a stranger..that's just me. I don't know if this is feasible $ wise, but is there a girl you or your family knows that would not mind babysitting them during the reception? It may mean travel $ for her.. just a thought.

tidetravel · July 2010

I would talk to the parents and see what they feel comfortable doing. They may be ok with watching the kids at the wedding, or they may want to make their own arrangements. You cannot decide that the kids are welcome at the ceremony but not at the reception - that's a rude way to treat your guests, regardless of their age.

As an aside - please don't assume that your wedding = a date night for your mom and dad friends. If they choose to have a kids-free night so that they can let loose, they will hire a sitter.

You can hire sitters (more than one if you're having 10 kids), but make sure that they are reputable, licensed and insured. If you do this, you can give the parents the option to leave the kids with them, but you cannot require it.

NillaWafer10 · July 2010

We only had two kids at the wedding, and both were in the WP. I think the parents can judge accordingly if they need to hire a sitter. I agree with PP, that you should probably speak with them first.

Lisa8888 · July 2010

I don't think it is a good idea to have such young children at a wedding. Look into arranging for a babysitter at the hotel for your OOT guests.

mysticl · July 2010

We are inviting kids.

It sounds like you are trying to do the thing that would be the most convenient for your guests. However, hiring a sitter can be tricky. Many people are not going to leave their children with a stranger. Even if you bring someone you know like Sapphire suggested that still doesn't mean guests would be ok using her. I don't have kids yet, however, I'm a Social Worker so when the day comes that I'm looking for babysitters I am going to be very, very picky. Like I need to have sat down with you several times picky and would like to see a copy of your background checks picky. If you do a hire a sitter you need at least 2 for that number of children. Also, talk to the parents about what they would like/feel comfortable with. Start the conversation with "I'm so glad your whole family is coming and want to make this the best experience for you. Would you rather that little Timmy and Susie stay at the reception the entire time or would like us to see if we can arrange for a sitter?" Parents get very good at having fun and still keeping track of their kids.

barbbhoww · July 2010

Talk to the parents. You can hire "nannies" or "babysitters" at most resorts so maybe they'd be willing to that for a few hours after the ceremony.

Belle2Be · July 2010

I'd talk to your travel agent/wedding corrdinator/whoever is dealing with things at the destination. See if the hotel or wherever you're having your reception offers childcare (mine is at Disneyworld so I'm pretty sure they offer something).

HisCB · July 2010

our reception is at our home theater, we have a room off the balcony that we will set up with video games, movies, kid games and coloring books etc for the kiddos to be entertained, but they are all invited. just estimating but we will have like 25-30kids under 12 invited. some will use the kids room, some will stay with their parents and some might stay home with sitters.

for your situation i would talk to the parents and see if they would like you to hire a sitter. check your location to see if there's a room where they can be entertained on site.

remember though that infants are automatically invited with their parents. (at least in my circles, and i agree entirely)

kpwedkk · July 2010

We invited kids to the wedding and reception, and at the reception we made a few tables with coloring books, those crayola markers that only write on the books, and the kids had a blast

We had about 20 or so under 10 years old, and 10 under 5 years old. We even caught the parents coloring too

what did you do about kids?

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