Weddingbee boards

Since we are having our reception on NYE and late (8pm ceremony 9-2am reception) we would prefer that it is an adult only reception.

We are aware however, that since it is NYE, many people with children may have a bit of a challenge finding a sitter.  Since I have a child, we are going to enlist the services of one of the local wedding sitting companies to watch her as well as the children for members of the bridal party.

The cost of the service is $55 per child and guests can actually pay for the sitter directly themselves.

To be fair, we are renting a large suite for all the children (cost us over $500), but realistically, we can't afford to pay $55 for every child coming.

We thought it would be fair to pay for children for the bridal party (5 children+ our own of course).

I'd like to put a little insert in the responses for child care service but want to explain that it would be at their own expense. 

Do you think this would be ok? Any suggestions on how to do so? (Keep in mind, we will have the suite so all of the children can be together in one room as well as providing the food for them to eat).

The wedding is fairly small, the issue is that some family members have multiple children (3-5) so when we did the math, for 150 adults, we're looking at possibly 40 children :(

wow. $55 per kid? Is this the typical rate in NYE? If I was a parent, with 3 kids, and traveling to your wedding, Id be pissed. Sorry:(

I think an insert will cause most people to react the way I did.  I think a better method may be to actually call people that you know need a babysitter.

@FutureMrsMorgan the price actually is the standard cost for the service (on any day) , no upcharge for the holiday. The same company charges $95 per child in New York. 

As a mom, I honestly don't think the cost is too much. If you divide by 5, that is about $10 per hour and less than what most HS kids are charging.  I personally always make arrangments for our little one if we are attending an event. I'm bringing in the company as an option for those with children and traveling from out of town, so they have an alternative to finding alternate care if they need it.   We're also renting the suite for the evening so the children have a place to lay, relax and play with the other children, as well as the meals, and they play games with the children, host a party, etc.

The company charges so much b/c they do have 30+ years of childcare experience and are certified in CPR, etc.  As a parent, I know that's important to me.  I'd rather pay the money and rest assured that my child is in good hands, then skim and leave with some kid to watch. For most, it may not actually be a problem, as they would make the same arrangments they would normally make if they planned to celebrate NYE, we just want to let ppl know there is an alternative.

I personally know that it is just not in our budget to accomodate everyone's children, so we're not going to.  I feel like people find sitters on every other occasion and if they want to attend, they will. We always do.  I really just wanted people to understand that the option is available if they are interested. It's not mandated, they can leave the brats at home (kidding of course :))

@JsDragonfly- we're in Philadelphia but close enough, especially since many of our guest are coming from NYC.

It's so funny, this is just one of those things. You know when you're planning your wedding you can't please everyone but we really do try to do the best we can. First it's the date, NYE-people are like, oh my NYE?

And I want to scream " Yes. New Year's eve" NYE b/c my line of work doesn't free me up until November, we're surrounded by our family for New Year's anyway, it's a friday and late and it was perfect for us to start our NEW life together. Then I get annoyed because in this city if you even TRY to go to a restaurant on NYE downtown, it starts at about $85 a person just to eat. Here we are hosting a wedding which means great food, top shelf alcohol AND entertainment for FREE and you still are complaining? We're paying $130 per person to host this event, the least you can do is just come and stop complaining or don't come and don't complain. We're over 30, no one has people knocking down their doors to do things on the holiday. PUHLEEZ.

My friends have had destination weddings. The ones I could attend, I did. Those I couldn't afford to, I just sent a gift and a blessing. I never felt the need to say, you're weddnig will cost me $2k to go to...

Sorry that was totally unrelated but it really just upsets me everytime I think about it.

I think it's a good idea that you've rented out a suite for the children and arranged for experienced and reputable bbsitters. It's a convenience you're offering to your guests. Most people who go out on NYE don't want their kids around anyway...Will you have a website? If you don't want to do an insert, you can put it on a website and maybe ask people to RSVP how many kids will require bbsitting services noting to be sure to pay the babysitter directly. If they balk at the cost, then they can find their own babysitter and you can offer some links or phone numbers on your site.

Hmm, I don't this its unreasonable.  It's not like you are forcing them to use the service, they could just as easily leave their kids at home with a friend or relative for the night/weekend.

I don't think you should explain it on an invitation insert.  Do you have a wedding website?  Maybe you could explain it there.