Another wedding question... Babysitter. WWYD?

I wrote about my 20 month and 3.5 yr old being in a wedding on LI. My parents are invited, but will be there for the ceremony. The reception if following the ceremony, which will start around 7pm.
We will be doing pics before. DH ans I are both in the wedding.

My MIL found a good and reliable babysitter for the night. Since we don't live on LI they will really be meeting her then. I do plan to meet her before the wedding when we go to LI next time to visit.
My thing is should we spend more to have her come to the hall and keep the boys entertained during pics and all? Give snacks and keep an eye or just have her meet us at the house after the ceremony to help put them to bed and stay at the house?
My IL's are offering to pay, but I'd like her to be there earlier so the boys get to know her and she can keep an eye on them. They know my parents well, but since they're invited they'll be busy too and wouldn't want them to miss the ceremony in case one needs to go in the hall.
I know my mil would be concerned about her being dressed appropriately, but I figured we can just ask her to wear black pants and change at the house. We are all staying at my IL's that night and they live 5 mins from the temple.
I'll pay the star or the whole thing. I am just concerned with having an extra eye since everyone will be so busy with the wedding. They usually go to bed at 7. I ink they'll be fine with the time, but they are young and you never know after a long at.

Message edited 1/13/2013 7:20:27 PM.

Re: Another wedding question... Babysitter. WWYD?

I answered on your other post too

My kids are a little younger but we had her come to the reception hall to help out. It was a huge help. I didn't want them to be a bother to my bro and sil (their wedding) so I had her there. They didn't make it too long with pictures. When they started to act up my cousin walked her to my car and helped her get settled. (It took me a long time to come to terms with her driving them that day but she is my regular babysitter and I eventually got there).

Our original plan was to have them stay for part of the cocktail hour but they just couldn't do it. If the kids were fine we were going to have her relax in the bridal suite or my parents hotel room.

Another wedding question... Babysitter. WWYD?

Since both of you are in the wedding, I would for sure have her come to the reception hall.

Re: Another wedding question... Babysitter. WWYD?

Maybe next time you are in town have her come meet the boys or even go out for an hour or two so they get to know her.
As far as having her for pictures, see what your parents say, sounds like the burden will be on them while you are busy doing wedding things so maybe put out feelers to them.

Re: Another wedding question... Babysitter. WWYD?

I'd have her come to the wedding to keep them occupied.

We had 9 little ones in our wedding party, my MIL had two young girls come to help with the kids before, during and after.

Re: Another wedding question... Babysitter. WWYD?

Thanks ladies!
We decided to have the babysitter come early. Like maybe 5pm to help feed the boys and get them dressed. This way she can keep them entertained while we do pics too or busy with other stuff. Plus. I like the idea the boys will know her for most of the night and when she puts them to bed they'll be ok.

Re: Another wedding question... Babysitter. WWYD?

You are smart to have her come early to occupy them. For my BIL's wedding, DH and I were both in it, and we didn't have any help and it was SO hard and we only had 1 at the time. But she always needed to be watched, kept running off, wanted to be lifted up....

When my brother got married in August, we had 2 kids and had our nanny come with us - HUGE difference! I would def go that route!