I am getting married next April ('07) and my maid of honor seems horrified that I won't be providing entertainment for children, or childcare for children not attending the wedding. The venue we chose is an aquarium at the zoo with dolphins and touch tanks for kids. We are, however limited to 150 people maximum. We are inviting our nieces and nephews, but we don't have the space to include everyone's children.
What I don't understand is, why if I don't invite everyone's kids, that I have to provide childcare for them. Can't people arrange their own childcare? Why is it my responsibility on my wedding day? Please help!!
2006-10-06 11:40:14 · 23 answers · asked by ndtaya 6 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
No, it is not your responsibility to provide child care. If you had a formal all adult wedding would you be required to provide care for ALL those children that aren't coming? If you go to a friends B-day party at a bar does the birthday girl have to provide care for the kids of her friends that she invited.
No, you more than provided for the ones that are going and you don't need to worry about weather your other guest can find child care of thier own.
2006-10-06 11:45:40 · answer #1 · answered by vancie121 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You are in no way obligated to provide entertainment or childcare for anyone else's children on your wedding day. It is completely unfair that anyone tries to make you feel guilty about not doing so. You're throwing a reception, where you will be entertaining the adults and few children you've invited. Those adults have the opportunity to accept your invite or decline it. If they accept it, it is their responsibility to bear the cost and burden for child care if they need it. This day is about you--your guests should be attending the wedding because they want to share your special day...not because they want entertainment for the kids. There is no need for you to feel guilty....if it were any other event that your friend was attending, she'd have to find her own childcare. Besides, what's the next step....do you need to find pet sitters too???
2006-10-07 00:51:07 · answer #2 · answered by jlcon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it is traditional that if the kids are not part of the wedding that they are not invited. but since this is the new world, might i suggest that you pass the responsibility for the uninvited kids of the people that are actually in the wedding party over to the maid of honor. You do know that it is her job to ensure that your day is smooth.
for what to do with them, might i suggest that they have a day slumber party where they have snack foods and movies while lounging. that way they are ready for bed when there parents pick them up.
2006-10-06 19:23:21 · answer #3 · answered by dee-dee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember one thing: THIS IS YOUR DAY. If you only want your neices and nephews there that is fine. You DO NOT have to have child care. I've done weddings where the bride and groom want it to be only adults except for the few important kids there. But it's your day, and tell your bridesmaid that if she wants the children there she can pay for the childcare.
2006-10-06 19:59:33 · answer #4 · answered by colleenjoy79 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are in no way shape or form responsible for the children that are not invited to your wedding. If their name is not on the invitation that is enough to signify that the parents of that child need to find childcare for the evening or send their regrets. Period!
Having 4 children of my own I FREQUENTLY do not let my children attend weddings with me (exception would be if they were listed specifically and individually... not as "and family")
2006-10-06 19:13:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
that is the guest responsibility..i have never been to a wedding where they provided childcare..it was always left up to the guest to take care of their own children or leave them at home with a baby sitter..maybe im to harsh but that is your day not the maid of honors day and its your wedding you do what you want she is just there to help you out
2006-10-06 23:00:08 · answer #6 · answered by bllnickie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is your wedding and you can do as you wish. Don't let people pressure you into something that you don't want to do. I'm getting married in May 2007 and there are a lot of family with kids and i told everyone only my niece (flower girl) and my fiance's nephew (ring boy) are in the wedding everyone else have from now till May to find a baby sitter for their kids... we have 170 at our wedding and we told them that if everyone brings their kids we have to pay for them as full adults $74/ plate and they understood.. so no kids at my wedding and if that's what you want (this is YOUR DAY) then be firm.. your maid of honor's job is too be there as support for you and not tell you how she wants things done... tell her that at her wedding she can do what ever she wants.. but on yours you're gonna do what makes it a special day for YOU and no one else's ... Congratulations honey and enjoy your wedding...
2006-10-06 19:21:33 · answer #7 · answered by Soonie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is not your responsibility it is there, they are just to lazy to provide one for themselves, they should have a babysitter lined up for these events, so girl! don't you feel guilty over it one bit. If you do not what any children at your wedding you must address that on your invitation. But you will have those people that will bring them anyway.
2006-10-06 20:27:59 · answer #8 · answered by Brezzy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too am in the process of planning my wedding. We are going to have a bunch of out of town guests/family coming who will be bringing their children with. Now seeing as though many of my guests will be needing care, I have arranged for 2 sitters to mind the children who are too young to come to the reception. I have arranged for the caterer to provide childrens meals- and they are 10 dollars cheaper than the adults, and they have a choice of three plates. The parents are the ones who will be paying for the sitters, and they are expected to pick up their kids right after the reception. The children who arent coming to the reception are mostly under age 6 and they all know each other so it will be fun. For the kids who will be at my recpetion/dinner, i have made a special table exclusively for kids. They will have gift bags with crayons and stuff to keep them busy while their parents are enjoying themselves. Now I know that I didnt have to arrange all of that, but like I said, many of my out of town guests/family will be rbinging kids, and do not know any suitable sitters up here.
The ones that do live around here all know that no child under age 6 can come, mainly because i want my family and friends to enjoy themselves.
If you have a guest that is insitent on bringing kids, and you know a good sitter, offer them their name and number so they can make alternative care arrangements, but by no mean is it your RESPONSIBILITY to make sure their kids are cared for.
2006-10-06 19:44:06 · answer #9 · answered by glorymomof3 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should set an age limit for children and hire someone to supervise the children during the wedding and reception. Be sure it is not someone involved in the wedding or a family member, but
someone there exclusively to supervise the children.
2006-10-06 22:51:32 · answer #10 · answered by big dawg 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋