(BPT) - Wedding planning requires countless choices, but one that remains highly debated is whether (or how much!) to include children in the festivities.
The Zola First Look Report found, of 4,000 couples with 2024 wedding dates, 79.5% are in favor of kid-free weddings. Although the decision is becoming more popular, it’s often met with criticism from guests who are parents needing to secure child care, which can add stress for the soon-to-be newlyweds.
Engaged couples are turning to “something new” to address the needs of guests with kids without sacrificing their own preferences and priorities: babysitter services. This new trend has become increasingly popular for weddings with couples offering in-home or on-site options to care for kids while adults focus on the celebrations. In fact, Jovie, the network of professionally trained child care experts, nannies and sitters, reports that the company has seen a 159% increase in event care since 2022.
“Couples can find themselves in a difficult position when contemplating whether to include children in their wedding day festivities as they may worry about parents feeling overwhelmed or distracted by having their kids present,” said Laura Davis, Jovie’s Nanny Concierge. “We’ve seen couples increasingly interested in providing child care for their guests, as it’s a win-win for both the couple and parents as everyone will get to enjoy the event without worrying about their children.”
Interested in services for your own nuptials? Davis recommends considering a few key factors ahead of time:
Determine whether a “kid-free” or “kid-friendly” option makes more sense:
Utilize RSVPs to determine how many kids need care — and book babysitters early:
Pay attention to the details — and loop in your babysitter accordingly:
“Your wedding day should be nothing short of spectacular, and whether you choose to include children in any capacity, remember there are multiple care options at your disposal,” continued Davis. “Babysitter services are just one of the many decisions you’ll need to make ahead of your special day, and companies like Jovie are eager to play a role in it being as stress-free as possible.”
To learn more about Jovie, visit www.jovie.com.