Over the past few years, more and more people are leaning toward hosting adult-only events or an adult-only wedding. With the idea of having less planning to worry about and the hopes that guests will be able to relax and have fun without supervision duties – it makes sense.
The problem that people start running into after choosing to not have children at an event is that it just shifts the burden of planning from the event planner to the guests. After working alongside both families and event planners for years, Tootles Event Sitters has opened up about what to consider when planning an adult-only wedding.
Check out our Instagram interview for more tips for an adult-only wedding:
Here are their top suggestions:
Be Clear About Your Adult-Only Wedding
The ring is on the finger and the planning has begun. Making sure that guests are aware of your adult-only wedding status in advance is vital. Perhaps you have a website for your guests or you’re using an app to relay information or maybe it’s time for the Save the Dates to go out. It’s never too soon to let guests know the plan, especially when it comes to their children, so they can begin making theirs.
When designing your wedding invitations and RSVP cards, Tootles suggests that you be as clear as possible with the wording you choose. Wording is very important when trying to get the message across that you are hosting an adult-only wedding.
If you have decided you do not want any children at your ceremony OR reception, be sure to use the phrase “adult-only wedding” or explicitly state that “both the ceremony and reception will be adults-only”.
If you just want an adult-only reception, but welcome kids at your ceremony, the phrase, “adult-only reception” should suffice. This implies that parents may bring their children to the ceremony, and even cocktail hour, but the reception is restricted to adults. Whatever wording you choose, be consistent in all facets of information given to guests to avoid confusion.
Additionally, Tootles recommends including the name of the event sitter company you have chosen. Explain to guests that you have vetted them and include the company’s contact information for guests to reach out with any questions or concerns. This will ease the minds of hesitant parents.
Offer An Alternative
Making sure that guests are aware of the adult-only wedding status in advance is vital. What’s the easiest way to tell guests it’s a no-kids event?
Instead of just announcing the event as adults-only, Tootles suggests including a note on the invitation or registration that states, “A special kids reception will be provided for your little ones.” This is a gentle way to show guests that their children are important and you’ve taken steps to make the event special for them in their own way.
You can even share a detailed itinerary of what the kid’s day will look like! This is sure to ease parents’ minds and set the little ones up for an enjoyable time by knowing what to expect.
By offering this alternative from the beginning, your adult guests will be free from the stress of planning for childcare, and everyone can relax and enjoy the event when the time arrives. You’ve offered the childcare solution before a problem even exists! That’s next-level planning.
Plan for Great Memories
Take a moment to think about what it will be like to look back on this event. With adult-only events, guests may struggle to find or pay for childcare on their own. If finding childcare becomes too stressful of a task, they may not come to the event at all.
If one special person is not there, whether it be a beloved family member, cherished friend, or influential chairman, it may impact the overall event.
Don’t risk losing out on memories. When event planners choose to partner with specialized event sitters like Tootles, they are planning for a successful and memorable event all around.
Shift the Point of View
Planning an event can be stressful, but take a moment to look at it from a guest’s point of view. Arranging travel can be overwhelming: whether they’re flying, renting a vehicle, budgeting for a ride service, or driving their own vehicle.
Then, if the event is out of town, they may be trying to find lodging and figure out mealtime options. Add even more stress to these scenarios if the guest is traveling with children or trying to arrange for their own sitter to come to the event.
Again, with this added stressor, some guests may decide that staying home is the easier option. When specialized, quality sitting services are provided, the point of view shifts from a guest stressed out from planning and constant ‘checking in’ with a sitter during an event to a relaxed, focused, and happy guest.
Having an adult-only event doesn’t have to add stress to anyone’s life. Not only do Tootles Event Sitters have experience working alongside family and corporate events, but they also come prepared with plenty of engaging, developmentally appropriate toys and games for the children, and all sitters are CPR certified and background screened.
What Inspired Tootles?
Tyneshia, owner of Tootles Event Sitters, tells us some of the inspiration behind Tootles through her very own experience planning her adult-only wedding!
“Ours was the first actual wedding to take place in both of our families. We knew right away that we wanted an adult-only wedding but there was no Tootles Event Sitters back then.
We definitely got some pushback about our decision because guests didn’t know what to do with their kids. So, when we sent our RSVP’s out we explained that we were providing childcare and asked for $30 per kid.
We did not expect such a positive response from our guests! They enthusiastically contributed and were happy to not have to plan their own childcare. We covered the cost difference to ensure all the kids would have fun things to do and the parents could enjoy having a night off.
That’s actually what motivated me into starting Tootles Event Sitters. I knew that if I was looking for a service, other couples most likely were too.
I wanted to make sure I could help serve couples like you by providing a stress-free, adult-only wedding that is fun and memorable for all. Not just any service but a service that would leave kids with a smile on their face from all the fun they had and happy parents picking them up.”
When planning any event, let Tootles Event Sitters care for and entertain the smallest guests for you. Contact Tootles today to plan for great memories.
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