Your Guide to Hiring a Wedding Babysitter Near You

For many guests, receiving a wedding invite takes on a different meaning if they have children. With kids in the picture, a lot revolves around whether or not they can find adequate and timely childcare to attend the wedding in the first place. That's why it's incredibly helpful if to-be-weds hire a wedding babysitter to take on the task of watching their guests' children. "Couples these days are especially focused on the guest experience, and what better way to make it a little easier on the parents than to offer them child coverage during your celebration," says Thomas Waters, owner and event planner at The Renaissance. "This is especially a considerate move when you may be inviting out-of-town guests to an adults-only wedding, and they find themselves in a bind."

When you hire a babysitter for your wedding, you have a much better chance of having more of your loved ones in attendance by finding them a solution for their potential childcare challenges, explains Waters. "It's important to remember that some parents may not have the ability to leave their children at home when they come to your wedding," he says. "In other instances, perhaps they live locally, and the family members who normally watch their children are also at the wedding."

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Wedding Babysitting Tips: Can You Hire a Babysitter? | Cost | Why Hire a Sitter | How to Hire | How Long to Hire | Who to Hire

Can You Hire a Babysitter for Your Wedding?

Absolutely! Hiring a wedding babysitting service can be a game-changer for both you and your guests. It allows parents to fully enjoy the festivities without worrying about their children, and it creates a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. By providing childcare, you're not only ensuring that all your guests, including those with children, can participate fully in your special day, but you're giving them the gift of a little time off from taking care of their little ones—something many burnt-out parents desperately need. Don't forget to communicate with guests that you're hiring a wedding babysitter for your event. Include information on your wedding website as well as on your wedding invitations.

Wedding Babysitter Cost

The cost of hiring a wedding babysitter may vary based on a myriad of factors including geographic location, number of children, experience and qualification, duration of childcare, additional services and vendor tips. On average, expect to pay anywhere from $20-40 an hour. "This largely depends on the number of children that they'll be responsible for as well, including any additional team members that they'll need to bring in to ensure that each child is properly taken care of," says Kevin Dennis, owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services in Livermore, California. "Some older children may not require as much attention as those that are younger or even newborn age, so various details will factor into the final pricing."

Why Hire a Babysitter for Your Wedding

When you hire a wedding babysitter near you, you are taking the stress away from parents having to figure out a sitter for your wedding date, explains Samantha Leenheer, expert planner and creative director of House of Joy. "By making it easier for them, you make it easier for them to say yes and alleviate the added expense that comes from hiring a sitter on their own," she says.

Hiring a sitter also allows parents to enjoy themselves but still check in on their children if needed. "If your sitter is nearby, they can go say hi or be available in the event of an emergency which makes it a lot easier on both parents and children," Leenheer adds. "The convenience of being close helps the kids acclimate to someone new."

How to Hire a Wedding Babysitter

Whether you're hosting a grand affair or an intimate gathering, having dedicated childcare allows both you and your guests to relax and enjoy the festivities without worrying about little ones. Here, experts share the process of finding the perfect babysitter to ensure a seamless wedding day.

Check With Guests To Get an Estimate Of Needs

First, check that parents are interested in having a sitter available and ask if they would use it. "All children are different and in the event that no one will use them then you wouldn't want to hire them," says Leenheer. "If they are interested, inquire with them about what the evening routine is and things their kids like to do. You will want to tailor the activities to the group you have."

Ask for Recommendations

Plan to book your wedding babysitter about three months in advance. Consider asking for referrals from your wedding day team to your local friends and family. "Some of the event pros may even have a list at the ready of companies they trust," says Waters. "You can also reach out to local parent friends to see who they recommend."

Search Online Platforms

A great place to start online is The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Search for wedding babysitters in your area, read testimonials from real couples and reach out to pros directly from one convenient location.

There are also online websites and platforms that provide suggestions for professional babysitting services. "A professional placement agency sometimes costs more with additional fees, but they often check all the boxes and will have experience with weddings," says Waters. "Make sure all of the fees are outlined and see if the sitters have particular experience with weddings." If you go this route, be sure to do your due diligence and look into references and make sure they have had background checks.

Interview Potential Babysitters

Just as you would when it comes to hiring any other wedding vendor, it's a good idea to have a phone or video call with a potential babysitter to assess their experience, qualifications and compatibility with your children. During this call, ask about their childcare philosophy, disciplinary methods and emergency procedures. You can also inquire about any references that you can call on to confirm their quality.

Communicate Clearly

Communication is key when hiring a wedding babysitter. You want to make sure they have a list of who to expect, their ages and how to reach their parents. They should also have an overview of your expectations for their care, including feeding, changing diapers, playing, etc. as well as the event timeline.

How Long to Hire a Babysitter for Your Wedding

Leenheer recommends having the sitter come early to get set up and get used to the space. "If your ceremony is adult-only, they should arrive at least an hour beforehand to allow parents enough time to drop off, collect themselves and head to the ceremony," she says.

If children are welcome at the ceremony but not the reception, we suggest still arriving an hour before the ceremony to allow anyone to drop children off early." She also recommends making sure they are scheduled to be there until at least an hour after the reception ends.

Wedding Babysitters to Know

Start your search with these top-quality wedding babysitters you can find on The Knot Vendor Marketplace.

Jovie Nannies & Sitters in Chicago, Illinois

This woman-owned business has been around for years, providing a dedicated team of experienced caregivers who have exceptional childcare skills tailored to your specific needs. From engagement parties to the big day itself, they're ready to ensure little ones are happy, safe and entertained. Owner Linda Gump is a former hospital administrator who joined the childcare industry after she saw a need as a mom of three herself. Jovie Nannies & Sitters has excellent reviews and comes highly recommended. Along with Chicago, they have offices throughout the US, making it easy to use their services from just about anywhere.

GO-TAB in Atlanta, Georgia

Based out of Atlanta, but open to expanding to local suburbs and even states, GO-TAB specializes in luxury event childcare services. They offer a unique solution for parents attending events by providing a dedicated and professional childcare space on-site. Their team consists of experienced and qualified childcare providers and they have a high-end website that allows you to book their services directly.

Wedding Sitter in Los Angeles, California

This specialized childcare service caters exclusively to weddings and other special events, allowing parents to fully enjoy their celebrations without worrying about their children. Wedding Sitter creates engaging and comfortable environments for children directly at your event venue, offers flexible options to suit different event sizes and needs and prioritizes children's enjoyment with a plethora of age-appropriate activities. Along with Northern and Southern California, the wedding babysitters offer services in Las Vegas, New York City and The Hamptons in New York.

Babysitting Logistics in Morgan, Pennsylvania

Babysitting Logistics is a unique wedding babysitting service that specializes in providing on-site care for a variety of events. They offer a comprehensive solution for parents seeking reliable and professional childcare, tailoring their type of care to meet the unique needs of your wedding guests. They have flexible packages that can be customized to your event and only employ experienced and background-checked childcare professionals.