Who Pays?

I would have the parents pay

I agree with you. the parents should pay for the babysitter...We are having a babysitter and I have advised parents that if they would like to use her services since this is an adult only reception they need to get with her to find out how much she is charging.

The parents should pay. I would never expect anyone else to pay someone for watching my kids.

I'd say that it depends. If you're just giving the recommendation in case anyone wants a babysitter for the night, then they should pay. If your reception is adults only, which means you're requiring parents to find child care if they want to attend the reception, you should pay.

I'm all for being an over the top gracious host but I will not be paying for babysitting services. I put on my FAQ to contact the hotel conceirge for babysitting services.

But since you have some lined up - I think you could get the word out via family/MOH or post on your website (if you have one) - Please call Susie, Becky or Anna to coordinate time/place/price for babysitting services.

I have my two younger brothers as Jr. Groomsman( Ages 7 & 8)....My flower girl (age 2) and 5 other children from 8-10. I am getting married at a hotel. We have appointed a college aged girl I babysat when I was young.

We are paying for her because they are all invited to the reception and I don't want there parents leaving early to have to deal with it. We are setting up a Kids room with xbox and games. There is a small Arcade in the hotel as well. My flower girl will have a crib in her room and our sitter will go in and check on her.

This just helps with my close aunts and uncles being able to stay and have a good time with us without having to leave early.

We paid for the babysitters we hired. We didn't want their parents to have to worry about it. We just wanted them to be able to attend the wedding and by providing the sitter they were able to do that. The parents were surprised that we paid for the sitter but it was something we felt we needed to do.

We are paying for the sitters we hired. We have quite a few OOT guests so we didn't want to add an extra expense considering they have already paid for flight and hotel to come celebrate. So now eveyone gets to reap the benefit a free babysitter for the night.

The parents should pay, unless you very generously (but also very unnecessarily) offer to pay.