Kids or no kids? It’s a question all engaged couples face before their wedding day–and it doesn’t just mean deciding whether to become parents themselves.
Adults-only weddings are increasingly popular for couples hoping to achieve a more sophisticated event or carefree party. Many indicate on their invitation or in the RSVP that kids aren’t included, expecting guests to arrange childcare or attend solo. But a new service in St. Louis invites couples to consider an alternative solution: Hire a wedding nanny.
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Sommer Hopkins dubbed herself St. Louis’ Wedding Nanny with a Facebook post last month, announcing her new business that provides childcare at wedding festivities. She draws inspiration, in part, from her own wedding in May 2024, which featured her nephews in the ceremony but otherwise was exclusive to adults and older teens. She’s also an experienced babysitter of 15-plus years and former youth camp director with training in CPR and First Aid.
“From the bride or the groom’s perspective, you really want to make sure that your guests are enjoying their time,” Hopkins says. “For a lot of them, this is a night out for mom and dad that maybe they don’t get often. And obviously it’s great to have your kids there, but when you’re the one watching them 24/7–and there’s so many more people and things going on, and there’s a dance floor involved–it can be a lot of moving parts and create added stress.”
Hopkins proposes that couples invite the children but accommodate them differently. With a wedding nanny’s help, they can arrange a separate area at the venue with games, toys, and crafts and employ a professional to entertain kids there. A check-in and check-out system is a must to ensure their safety.
“Whether it be 30 kids or whether it be three kids, [I’m] able to kind of shift the service to what you and the wedding might need it to be,” Hopkins says. “[You might] need somebody like for our nephews–where they were involved in the ceremony, and both mom and dad were involved in the ceremony too–somebody that sits with them at the ceremony and then watches them during the reception.”
Hopkins is open to partnering with wedding vendors who strive to provide kid-friendly experiences or working for parents who are attending weddings and just want a little extra help. Because each situation is unique, and some might require hiring additional nannies, Hopkins’ pricing is tailored to individual requests and doesn’t have a minimum spend.
Similar services are available through STL Event Nanny, TLC Family Care, Jovie, and Elegant Event Sitters, Inc., which tend to a variety of events. Local play spaces, such as TotSpot Social, have been known to partner with such services for different parent workshops. There’s also been a local rise in hiring one nanny or sitter for house parties, both saving attendees the cost of a sitter for every kid and allowing children to learn party etiquette rather than staying home.
As for St. Louis’ Wedding Nanny, she’s dedicated exclusively to wedding events and supporting those entering their newlywed era. To send Hopkins an inquiry, fill out this Google form.
“It doesn’t have to be stressful to have kids at a wedding,” Hopkins suggests. “It can still be a fun night for the parents and something that’s enjoyable for them, while ensuring that their kids are within the vicinity, that they’re safe, and having fun too.”
