Arrange Babysitting, or No?

You are not being exclusionary. You are having the wedding you want with the guests that you want. Adults are adults and adults that have children should be perfectly capable of finding a sitter for their children. I too am having an adult-only reception and will be providing a sitter for only the children in the bridal party and their siblings. And I have gotten some blow back from family members who have actually asked if I hate children. Dani loves the children...just not at my wedding.

I have babysat for a wedding before. The parents dropped them off a grandmas house (she had a large living room with a nice t.v. and very kid friendly)and we did a "sleepover" type thing everyone brought a pillow/blanket we eat dinner, movie and popcorn. Few kids even fell asleep. Parents paid me (not the bride) and everything was pretty simple with all the kids in one place.

Just a thought, you dont have to arrange childcare but it is nice.

Kate, I TOTALLY think you should keep mum, especially since you have already mentioned it being adult only. IMO. if you begin verbalizing thoughts on providing child care, it will quickly become assumed that child care is being provided/kids can come.

If not having kids is what you guys want, keep repeating that. Once any exception is made or options discussed, it's over. Kids will be brought.

If the parents want to attend they can make their own arrangements with ppl or providers they know and trust.

It's really thoughtful of you to try to set something up, but not necessary.

I'm doing no kids ceremony and reception. These people have plenty of time to arrange something for their kids. You don't need to coddle them and make sure THEIR kids have arrangements because they're too cheap to pay for a baby sitter for 6 hours. If they actually wanted to go they would make arrangements like an adult and come to your wedding. Do not feel bad. Do not feel obligated. Stick to your plan and that's that.

I would not BUDGE!! I am having an adult only reception as well. People have plentyyyy of time to plan accordingly. Tell them to suck it up. When they want to go out, I guarentee they have no troubles finding a sitter. Adults only is adults only. Once you let one slip, they alllll gonna start sliding. Stick to your guns

We're actually allowing children at our wedding and are having a small section set aside for the babysitter with the children and activities for them. There's an enclosed porch we aren't using that's perfect. Either see if a family member can host it or just go without those people.

Thanks everyone! You have all made me feel like I'm not a monster (honestly, I can't imagine why these parents aren't more excited about some time to themselves!) and I'm happy to not have one more thing to worry about! Decision made: no babysitter!

This seems to be the case with alot of weddings and I'm still confused as to why people get so upset about this....I don't think that you should arrange child care. As you stated, you've been telling people for a while so they already knew they needed child care. They can do it themselves.

My FMIL was trying to suggest this and it's not something I want to do. My biggest concern is if something happens to their child while in care of someone I've hired I don't want to be responsible. It also confuses me as to why people think that it's the responsibility of the person whose wedding it is to provide child care. What would they do if they were going on vacation without their kids, or on a date night without their kids? I told a few of the people who seemed to be annoyed/upset about our child free wedding that I would really love if they could attend, but understand if they can't make it.

I just gave suggestions for baby sitters for people. I also hired a baby sitter to be at the reception to look after my two nephews that will be there so their moms could have a break.

We have a family member attending the wedding who is willing to look after my fiance's two nephews (who are 6 and 8 and don't need a ton of tending to) and they will be staying with that family member overnight, too, so their mom, who is one of my bridesmaids can enjoy herself. They are in our wedding and as such, the only two kids who will be attending. The family member was totally willing and volunteered to tend to them that day. Other than that, we're not making any accommodations. The rest of our bridal party doesn't have kids!

Not your circus, not your monkeys. This sounds cruel, but THEY had the children, not you. If they have not left the house since birth...well.....this might be their learning experience.

When people decide to have kids, they limit their life choices; drinking gin out of the cat's bowl for breakfast, skydiving, disappearing for weeks on end with no cell phone. It is their responsibility to either find child care they trust or stay home.

The end.

I'm having an adults only wedding and am fully expecting some no RSVPs because of it. I'm not providing a sitter service.

We had an adult-only wedding too. For OOT guests, it may make it more difficult for them to travel, especially if they don't have anyone where they could leave their kids for the weekend. But you know what? That means that they aren't going to be able to be there, and that's too bad but not the end of the world. My cousin from Kansas did not come, which we figured, since they had 2 young kids. As @Celia said, that is a CHOICE that people make when they CHOOSE to have children. Most people i know would not be comfortable leaving their kids with a babysitter they didn't know, so I think it will be a waste if you provide babysitting. I think most of your guests would just set up their own regular babysitter for the night. If they don't have a regular babysitter - well, this is the perfect opportunity for them to find one and also, they must have no more date nights in their lives lol.

I am allowing people to bring kids to the wedding but it is definitely not kid-oriented or necessarily kid friendly. I expect anyone who decides to bring a child to entertain the kid themselves and figure out all the other kid needs themselves like potty, naps, feeding needs, etc. This is an adult party and you either take care of your own damn kid, you leave them home with a babysitter, or you don't come to the wedding. I know it sounds bitchy but I don't think kids are my problem. I think you shouldn't worry about it. Parents are supposed to be able to figure out this kind of stuff.

Thanks everyone!

I had one cousin get upset as we was planning to make my wedding a family vacation to include Disney.

I simply offered the number of a babysitting service that my friends have used in the past.

My cousin was terribly offended even though I have never met his children. It's ultimately his choice if he wants to come.

I miss the good old days where Mom and Dad left us with Grandma or a good friend of theirs when they went out of town. They also had date nights and hired babysitters.

That said I am

Allowing kids but I can

Only think of one guest that might have a baby with her but I wouldn't mind if more came since it's a

Brunch reception.

I think what you're doing is fine!