Nannies

I love this idea, I should really look into this, we have kids 2 to 16 there.

Peggy that is a really good idea to put them in a separate area for sleeping. We have that option too. The kids could bring their sleeping bags and crash on the floor and the nannies move out there with the kids. BRILLIANT!!!

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Yeah - we really wanted people to be able to stay and enjoy the party as long as they wanted. We're happy to have the kids there - they'll be the ones to get the party started - first on the dance floor I'm sure! But I expect the youngest (10 months old) will crash about 8 pm, followed by the toddlers (2-3 years old) around 9:30 or 10 pm. The older kids may or may not go down.

View quoted message That’s such a great idea!!! I love that the kids can go to bed in another area!

I have hired a babysitter for my wedding for the kids - she is not there to keep them entertained, though - we are turning one of the small side rooms in the hall into a sleeping room with mats and blankets and pillows. She'll be in there to watch the children after mom and dad put them to bed, in case they wake up or need something. We are not asking our guests to pay for it - the 150$ it's costing us is a minimal expense compared to what we've already paid for the wedding.

The parents we've talked to are excited about this option. They don't have to leave early when the kids are tired, or decide who has to stay home, or try and find a sitter if they are from out of town.

View quoted message Oh, ok I understand! I am having a semi destination wedding as well. Live in St. Albert, wedding is in Kananaskis. I am personally not offering anything as far as childcare. But I have teenage daughters that I’m sure with play with the younger kids during the reception. I think it’s totally fine to offer people the option for childcare if they wanted to use it! I’m sure there are people who would take advantage of it if their bringing their kids

The wedding is a semi destination wedding, people have to travel and if they were going to leave their children home they would be overnight for a few days. That's why we are thinking of offering it.

Are the nanny’s required or optional? You could always right something like
“if your children will be attending the wedding and you would like some free time during the reception, we have hired a nanny service. Please respond by (whatever date) if you would like to take advantage of the services. It will be $20 and they will be there from 7pm until 11pm.”
this way you can figure out how many people are interested.

would I personally do it for my kids? No. I know they would still run up to me every 5 minutes. And if my kids are there, I’m not going to be drinking or anything crazy. I would much rather just leave them home with a babysitter. Lol. Maybe someone with a really young child might use it, but that’s why knowing numbers and ages are so important, because then you know how many nanny’s you’ll require for the night.

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The wedding is so unusual it is hard to explain here, but we did up informational brochures for people who are not internet savvy and are including these with their tickets (yes actual tickets) to the wedding. So under Important Information we worded it nicely that Nannies would be available at the reception from 7 until 11 for $20 per child. We just can't afford to pay for anything else.

I think it’s a nice gesture and a great option for families.

But just wondering if your thinking of paying for it yourself or having parents who goose to use it pay? Just from the wording it sounds like you might be considering parents having to pay for it themselves and haveing someone there they can hire.

I have attended a cousins wedding where a babysitter was hired to sit at the table of kids keeping them busy with games and toys.

We are thinking of doing the same thing! Curious to see what others who’ve done this think.