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Savvy June 2019

Adults only reception...babysitting?

Rachel, on October 17, 2017 at 11:30 AM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 5

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I know there are a lot of forums about adults only receptions, but this is slightly different. Long story short, one side of my extended family has a lot of kids and most people on that side live out of state. I really want an adults only reception but there's a likely chance many family members wouldn't come because they wouldn't know what to do with the kids, which I understand but would definitely make me sad. I've read articles both on wedding wire and the knot where they suggest offering a babysitting service to make it easier on out of state parents if you're set on adults only. Has anyone done this? Or do people have any advice on etiquette for that? Is it a completely crazy idea? I'm open to any advice! (Also keep in mind that kids plates at my venue are still almost 40 bucks...so offering babysitting during the reception would still be cheaper for me). Thanks in advance!

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5 Comments

Latest activity by Emily, on October 17, 2017 at 1:34 PM

Celia Milton · on October 17, 2017 at 11:38 AM
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I honestly wouldn't make it my issue. If you want an adult only wedding, do it. Many parents won't leave their kids with sitters they don't know.
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Champion June 2018
muriel · on October 17, 2017 at 11:39 AM
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Parents with children have several choices: leave the children at home with a caregiver, bring someone with them to care for the children in their hotel, hire a licensed, bonded sitter at the hotel.
It is not the responsibility of the bride and groom to provide childcare.
Most people are not going to turn young children over to stranger that you provide.
I can almost guarantee that if you provide child care in another room, some of those parents will bring their child into the wedding reception " Johnny is upset. I'll keep him here for a while" (which turns into the rest of the evening).
If you want to include information on your website, you could provide referrals to local licensed sitters.
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Master April 2018
Mrs. Sponge · on October 17, 2017 at 11:49 AM
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I wouldn't leave my kid with someone I don't know.
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Savvy June 2019
Rachel · on October 17, 2017 at 12:04 PM
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Ok! Thanks guys, that's kind of what I was wondering.
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Master May 2014
Emily · on October 17, 2017 at 1:34 PM
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I have been to many weddings with on site child care services / kid's rooms and they worked VERY well. The bride and groom hired event childcare companies with licensed staff (number of sitters depended on number of kids). The sitters brought activities, crafts, movies, games for the kids and the venue served them dinner in the kid's room. Parents could check on them anytime but otherwise had adult time in the reception room. All kids stayed in the room through dinner and speeches and then were allowed to join the reception for dancing. I think it is a great option if you want to do it.

This idea that parents will not leave their kids with strangers is not true based on my experience. Parents were thrilled to be able to have adult time at the reception while their kids were having fun in another room. Just be sure to hire a reputable company with licensed childcare staff.
ETA - you definitely don't HAVE to provide this service but it's definitely an option if you want to and can afford it. I disagree with pp's that no parents will leave their kids with sitters.
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