Hi, Sandra.

Thanks for being here.

Hi, Christa.

Thank you for having me.

I'm so excited to talk to you.

I think everything you do is such a awesome concept.

You are the Wedding Nanny of New York City.

So let's get into who you are, first of all, and then what it

means to be a wedding nanny.

Thank you so much.

So, well, first of all, I've been a nanny for 12 years.

I'm a career nanny.

I'm originally from Mexico.

I've been living here for almost 13 years.

Wow.

It's crazy to think that.

Yeah.

and yeah, know, we started the Wedding Nanny almost two years

ago, almost kind of by accident.

I was doing a wedding with one of my longtime families, and, I was watching

four children with another nanny, and then I realized, you know, there's a lot

of missing, things, within the service.

Like, we're watching them, yes, but we didn't have everything

we needed at that time.

So the idea came up during that event.

Wow.

So then, like, how did it come to be?

So I love how you, like, came up with this idea.

Mm-hmm.

So then how did you, like, officially make it a business after?

Were you like, " Okay," like, "this is something weddings

need," like, they need a nanny.

And what were those particular things that you were like, "Okay,

this is, kind of what we would need to make this happen," and How would

you then kind of like verbalize that, I guess, with your customer?

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

so essentially, the way I realized we're missing things, like for

instance, I don't know, we had four kids and they all were different ages.

So that's where I started questioning, okay, why are we not prepared,

for example, for the toddler?

Like, he didn't have, cancellation headphones, and so we couldn't

bring him in the reception, although the parents wanted him there.

No one thought about that.

The parents didn't think about that.

We didn't, 'cause we were just there to, you know, offer a service.

We were not prepared for it.

so little things like that, like maybe we didn't have any toys to keep the kids

entertained, especially the little ones.

so I just started writing my notes and, thinking how can we build something

that seems put together that can make parents' life easier and that can

also be amazing for the children.

Mm. ' Cause, you know, oftentimes kids, they're dragged to the wedding.

Like, maybe they don't even wanna be there.

They wanna be playing.

They wanna be outdoors.

Mm. But they have to be during the reception.

They have to be during portraits.

So we wanted to create an experience that made them feel

special and important as well.

Yeah, I love that.

Mm-hmm.

So when people come to hire you, at what point are you hired in the process?

Like, do they already have a venue?

Are they like six months away?

Are they just recently engaged?

They're like, "We know we need you," or is it different points?

I would say for the most part, we get booked within six months of

the wedding, four to six months.

There's a few very, very cautious brides that they know, you know,

they're gonna definitely need someone to care for the children, especially

the ones that have nieces or nephews within the wedding, and you know, these

are kids that they love, so they want their siblings to have a great time.

They want their parents to have a great time.

They don't want them to be worried.

So we've had a few, lately, a few bookings like that, like the booking's

within a year or even longer.

but for the most part, it's like four to six months, and sometimes you get,

on the rare occasion, people that are within a month or two, and they're

like, "Oops, what are we gonna do?"

Yeah.

" We have 10 children.

Like, what's the plan?

Who's gonna care for them?"

Yeah.

And is it typically they are, in a separate room, or are they part

of the wedding, like at a, their own table, and then you just know

which kids you're keeping an eye on?

Depends on the wedding, and that's why we like to do a consultation with the couple.

what we've seen, the pattern is the times that we've been hired, it's because

there's kids in the wedding party.

there's a few weddings that we've done that don't have kids in the wedding,

so that's a completely different role, completely different day.

But, essentially what we do is we set up a little room, a little corner.

some venues have more capacity than others.

Some venues have multiple rooms that we have access to.

so what we do is we talk with the wedding planner and we figure out a plan.

and then it depends on the flow of the day.

Like, say we have five children, and they're all in the wedding,

chances are we're not gonna be in that room a lot of the time, maybe

just in between formalities, and maybe once, we finish cocktail hour.

But if it's kids are not in the wedding, say you, have a couple that has a lot of

friends that are coming from Europe or from other states, and they just wanna

offer the service to their friends for their children, then yes, we'll have,

that room with even more inventory, more toys, more activities, and, we'll

keep them entertained the whole day.

So it really depends on the couple and what their needs are.

Yeah.

That's such a great idea.

Like, when I saw you do this, I was like, I would've loved

to have this at my wedding.

Like, we had, just… The only kids we invited were, like, kids that

were, our nieces and nephews- Mm-hmm

like, in the wedding.

but I feel like that also gives, the parents, a little, like, weight off to,

be like, "Okay, we can have, like, fun and enjoy ourselves," and there's- Yes

… someone, like, there to also keep an eye.

And especially like having the room separate.

I've heard of a lot of people doing that, where it's like, oh- Yeah

there's a room where there's fun things to do.

' Cause like you said, different age groups are gonna require

or want different things.

Yes.

Absolutely.

So important to have that extra space for them.

even if it's within the bridal suite, like obviously what we try to do is

just not be in their way, like at the beginning, but at some point they're

gonna need like some time to unwind.

Like if you have a toddler, like chances are they're gonna

need a nap at some point.

we're also in, New York, so we have seasons.

So when it's not the spring or summer, then, there's so much you can do outside.

Like you can't go out for long walks because it gets cold.

So yeah, w- the extra room is definitely essential for, this type of service.

Mm-hmm.

That's so awesome.

So, okay.

Mm-hmm.

So it started off and it was you and a friend that I think started… You

said your first wedding, you were like w- nannying with another friend.

Mm-hmm.

But then when you made it your own business, now you have- Mm-hmm … like

tons of other nannies that are with your-

Yeah

company.

Yeah.

Actually, I started on my own, but she was the first nanny to join my team.

Obviously, she's, one of my lead wedding nannies.

She's amazing.

and then we had two more people joining, last year in the summertime,

and then I hired one more.

So right now we're trying to expand to hire two more.

So the team is six to seven people.

Yeah.

Yeah, we're getting really busy and we need, to have, a calendar with

all the nannies, and I also want them to have some weekends off,

so essentially we need more hands.

Mm-hmm.

That is amazing.

Mm-hmm.

what does the typical… I know you said it kind of depends on the

wedding you have or- what's kind of figured out between the parents.

Yeah … but what does a typical, wedding day look like for you?

are you a part of- Mm-hmm … meetings ahead of time or are you there

first thing in the morning?

does that kind of-

Mm-hmm … I'm

sure that probably differs a lot, but-

Yes, it does change a lot.

we have people who book us through, since the morning, like let's

say when the getting ready gets, it's starting around 10:00 AM.

but for the most part we start our service at, like, 1:00 or

2:00 PM when it's the ceremony.

So a lot of couples still get married by the church.

Mm-hmm.

so what we do is we drive to the church, and we help, before the ceremony starts.

So we kind of like acclimate with the kids.

They get to know us.

If it's, the weather is nice like right now, we can go outside for a little bit.

And then, once ceremony starts, we already have a plan beforehand and we know if

the kids are gonna walk down the aisle.

We either keep them in the ceremony or take them out, depending on what

the bride and the groom wants, and also depending on their ages, right?

Like, if you have a baby, we we're not expecting the baby to

make it through the ceremony.

So we already have a plan, for that specific time of the day.

And then, what we do is we either help with wedding portraits at the

church, which most times that's what happens, and then we drive to the venue.

So for the most part, venues are, like, close distance, we drive there.

But even if it's not close, we make it happen.

So we, will show up there and we'll set up a room there.

And then we check in the children and we start playing with them.

say the bride and groom are gonna have more pictures at the venue,

so that's when we, try to keep them engaged and entertained.

and then we have cocktail hour.

we drive with the kids to either in cocktail hour and then, reception.

So it really depends on the flow of the day, but that's mostly we are

hired for eight hours, which will cover you from ceremony all the

way through the end of your party.

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

Yeah.

And so do you find that most couples, like, put it on their invitation,

like, "Oh, we'll have a wedding nanny"?

Or is it one of those where, like, after RSVPs are coming in then they have a

number and then they're like, "Okay, here's our final number, how many nannies,

do you have available to show up?"

Like, what's kind of like the process?

is it like- They're kind of telling people ahead of time,

or how does that kind of work?

And do you have a limit too- Um … like for your, company?

Yeah.

So I personally don't love those big weddings with like 30-plus children.

We've had only like one, I think.

it can get a little bit out of hand.

That's my opinion, my personal opinion.

I know there's a lot of nanny agencies that do corporate events,

and maybe they have like a lot of more nannies, like, backup nannies, right?

My team is very small, and we work with a very personalized ratio with the children.

For instance, babies, are one on one, always, no matter what the setup is.

and then toddlers, it could be one nanny watching two, and as

they are older, we can watch more.

But it's never more than one to four, the ratio.

So no, for the most part, like when we get on a call with a client or the

couple, you know, they tell us, "We have four kids," or, "We have eight kids."

It's never more than 10 kids, and our average is five.

So yeah, it's, mostly kids that are beloved kids, right, by the

couple, like either nieces, nephews, or maybe your best man has some

children, or your maid of honor.

So those are the kids we'll be watching.

We're not like, a daycare service.

Yeah.

You know?

Like, yeah.

Yeah.

I mean, we've had a couple of inquiries with 50 kids.

I'm like, we don't have the capacity for that, and it's such, also so

much more liability, to be honest.

Yeah.

I was gonna- We

have to talk about that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That would- Mm-hmm … I feel like that would be such a liability if they're

like, "Okay, there's a other room.

Any kids that come to the wedding are gonna be in there." And then you don't

know them by like name, or it could just be like a- No … a guest that

decided to bring their kid that day.

Yeah.

So I love this approach.

I feel like it's more- Mm-hmm … almost more like a daycare then.

You like know like their name.

You know how many kids there's- Mm-hmm … gonna be, and that there's like

appropriate number of nannies per kid.

I think that's-

Yes.

And we know all these, things beforehand because we have a

questionnaire for the parents, and we have a profile for each children.

So by the time of the wedding, regardless if it's one or 10

or 15, we know their names.

We know if they have an allergy, if they have, a behavioral problem,

like if they're potty-trained, all these things we know beforehand,

what kind of games they like to play.

so we are prepared for that.

But I think we love smaller weddings, with fewer children,

'cause it's easier to control.

Like, they warm up to you faster, whereas it's 30 kids, it's

more chaotic all the time, so.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

And you make a great point, too, uh, that it's usually kids that are like close to

the bride and groom, like nieces- Mm-hmm … and nephews, or they're in the wedding.

Mm-hmm.

Because I've been part of so many weddings where like- I think people kind of forget

that part 'cause they're like, "Oh, their mom and dad are both in the wedding.

Grandma and grandpa are both in the we-" Yes.

You know?

So it's like, where does little Johnny wait in the middle?

And then so they're kind of just passing him around.

So I feel like that's- Yeah … a really good, um, point for, like, those kind

of weddings where it's like, okay, the, when everyone's kind of has a job- Mm-hmm

then the nanny can help kind of take the kids outside for a walk

or, um, do those kind of things.

I, I love that idea.

I think it's such a great- Thank you … great concept.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, so what is… So we kind of were talking about before

we, like, signed on, but,

like, some, different things that you've seen at the weddings.

Mm-hmm.

So what were some of the, wildest things, or do you have a wedding story

that comes to mind, when you think of, like, some, funny kind of stories?

I have one that's kind of like a horror story.

Oh, gosh.

We have not talked about this, in any podcast that we've been invited.

You'll be the first but as we grow the team and as we, perfect our systems,

now we just launched a certification, with a private agency, and we're just

trying to be, you know, more hands-on and prepared for every event that we have

in the future, and all the experience, this past almost 50 weddings that

we've done in the past year and a half.

but yeah, so last year, it was our first busy year, 'cause 2024 we really

didn't have more than five weddings.

So last year was, like, the first year in business.

Mm-hmm.

so September was really busy.

We had a random photo shoot.

We had, like, nine weddings.

So we did, we had two days where we had double bookings, but you

know, we had the capacity for it.

we were five nannies back then.

So, we had this couple that reached out three months before the wedding.

essentially the groom was the one that was taking the lead,

which is not the standard.

Like, normally it's either the mom of the bride or the bride or

the sister of the bride, right?

so we had the groom reaching out.

And he was very stubborn since the beginning, and he will be

like, " Oh, we're gonna have…" First he said eight children, right?

None of these kids were in the wedding, so he wanted more kinda like a play

area for the nannies to watch the kids.

And then, so he booked two nannies, but he wanted to book one.

So we kept explaining, you know, how we work with the Nanny Rachel's,

but he kept insisting it's gonna be a, room with just, like a daycare.

Why can a teacher watch eight to 10 kids and you can't do that?

Oh, wow.

So I kept ex- explaining.

Yeah, like, you know, we have, glass.

There's people walking in.

It's such a different environment.

It's not childproof.

Mm-hmm.

There's so many factors playing, right?

Yeah.

So time goes by, keep reaching out.

I had a gut feeling that this wedding wasn't gonna be, you know, they were

not being honest with us, right?

Yeah.

So kept reaching out.

No communication, right?

Never talked to me.

Like, I think we talked, like, a day before the wedding.

a lot of red flags.

Mm-hmm.

So a week or two weeks before, the wedding, he calls me and he goes, "Okay,

we're gonna have closer to 12 children."

I said, "Okay, we need a third nanny, that's for sure. We can't work with

less than three nannies." And also he wasn't sure if there was gonna be babies.

We needed to know.

You needed to know.

We send the profiles months… Yeah, we needed to know, and he

never sent us the profiles until, like, a day before the wedding.

he sent us 10, I think.

Eight or 10.

But I had this gut feeling, right?

So I sent… I wasn't in that event because I was in the city with

another nanny in another booking.

So I send my lead wedding nanny, Jesse, with the two nannies.

They show up.

Chaos.

they didn't even know where had to, like, set up.

The wedding planner wasn't an- anywhere to be found.

Like, we had the contact number.

She wasn't picking up.

They finally are able to set up.

Everything starts fine.

But here's the crazy thing.

They ended up having 18 children.

18 children- 18 … for three nannies.

Three of them were babies.

It was chaos.

I mean- Wow … my nannies are superstars.

They know how to deal with these things.

They got the job done, all the kids were safe, but it's

something that we'll never allow.

And you know, it was a breach of contract too because we had a contract where it

states you cannot have more children, but I have them checking in every child and,

know, we had to be honest with the couple.

A few days after, we, I reached out to them and I was like, "Look, this is what

happened. chances, you know, if I didn't have this amazing team, like, and they're

trained for everything, like, we don't know what could've happened." So yeah.

that's what I told you.

we don't love these bigger parties because also sometimes, sometimes I feel like the

couple don't know what to expect either, like how many kids are gonna show up.

Mm. But a lot of times they're, like, what I've seen in the

past, they don't wanna tell you.

So yes- Yeah … we try to be very cautious with these type of bookings.

I mean, luckily everything went fine, but you never know what can happen.

That's, like, just what we were talking about- Mm-hmm … how, like, it's almost

like they, had it on their invitation and then just kept telling people, "Oh,

it's fine- Yes … just bring your kids 'cause there's gonna be a nanny there-"

Uh-huh

… without realizing.

And then it's they didn't wanna, like, pay more or, have- Yes … like, back out.

You know, then maybe they're afraid, like, oh, they're gonna not show up then,

so let's- Mm-hmm … just not tell them.

Oh my gosh.

you guys do such a good job of making sure there's the right amount of

people per kid- Mm-hmm … to make sure, all their needs are met and

that they're gonna be taken care of.

Mm-hmm.

So it's like, wouldn't you want that?

And so it just shows me that they just don't care.

Like, they're like, "Just throw the kids in a room. They'll be fine."

Yeah.

I feel like they really, they didn't care much about this.

Like, they left it to the last minute.

Like, they sent just a few profiles before, and we like

to be prepared, you know?

We like to know who these children are.

Mm-hmm.

I also feel like when it's weddings like this where, you know, different

cultures, different type of weddings, I'm Mexican so I kinda know how it is,

but it was one of these weddings where they have a lot of children typically.

Mm.

So, I think maybe they thought, "Okay. We'll just invite a few. We'll let

a few parents know, but not all of them," and then once the people saw

that there were some nannies there, they just started bringing their kids.

Yeah.

And obviously as a couple, that's the last thing you wanna

deal with on your wedding day.

We understand that, but then don't have an open, invitation for all these kids.

Yes.

Yeah.

So I feel like that would be hard too if, like, let's say you have,

like, the profile for nine kids, and then all these other kids come in.

You're like, " Are they gonna listen to me if I'm like, 'Hey,

stay over here,' or, 'Here's this'"?

Yeah.

Or like, " Who's your parent," you know?

And I feel like that would get really chaotic like you said, but I'm glad

your team was able to handle it, and I'm sure- They're amazing … now

you're, like, tightening up everything in the contracts 'cause that's, wild

Yes.

We've, honestly, since our wedding, we've perfected, like, the way we set boundaries

also with the parents and couples.

Like, I don't know, for instance, I had a wedding a few months ago

where I was only hired to watch the two kids of the, bride and groom.

They already had kids, which we are seeing more now.

Like, most couples have children already.

So I was only in charge of them, but then they had a lot of children, and

they told me there was gonna be a lot of children, and then some moms

kept coming to the room to bring…

And they would just leave the kids, and I was like, I had to be very honest

and just, it's only me today, so I was only hired to watch the two kids.

I'm so sorry.

I would love to help, but we can't do it." Like, it's two kids and

little, they were little kids, so yeah, we had to set boundaries.

Mm-hmm.

Good for you.

For sure.

I know, I'm sure that's hard when people are kind of like-

It is

… taking advantage a little bit, and you're like-

Yeah

… communication goes a long way, and I feel like the fact that you were

just like, "Hey, I'd love to, but I can't be responsible," Cause, yeah-

Yeah … it's like if they just drop a kid off, and then that kid gets hurt or

something, you're like, "I wasn't- Yes

even in charge of… Sorry," you know?

Exactly.

And I mean, and we, carry, like, insurance and everything, but

still, like, I don't wanna be held accountable f- especially for a

child that I was not in care for, so.

Yes.

Yeah.

Yeah, absolutely.

Mm-hmm.

okay, and then I know you said you had one more other story.

Oh my God, this one, It's kind of funny, I think.

So we have this great couple that, also a September wedding.

We had this couple, they were really young.

They were getting married.

They have a huge family.

they told us we were gonna care for seven children, which it was seven children.

We were there for the whole day.

I think it's been our longest booking.

It was 14 hours.

so to me, the funny thing was we showed up.

We were only gonna have the girls in the morning for the getting ready with, the

bride, and bridesmaids, and maid of honor.

And then the kids, the boys, were gonna show up in the afternoon,

right before portraits, and ceremony, and all that kind of stuff.

So it was funny 'cause I spoke to the wedding planner, I spoke to the bride,

but I hadn't spoken to the actual parents from the children, which was, uh- brother

of the bride and the sister of the bride.

Okay.

So we get there, we introduce ourselves, and then, the sister-in-law, she comes to

us and she goes, " Guys, I'm so excited to have you here, but just one thing.

My children are not to go with anyone.

Just me and my husband.

That's it.

Like, they can't go to anyone else." So I kind of, like, we started thinking,

"What's going on here?" Like, that's… I mean, we ask for the most part, like,

who are we allowed to hand the children.

Like, if they wanna go to the dance floor, like, can they go

with your grandma or, you know.

Right.

So she was very specific about that.

So we were like, "Oh, something's going on here." Yeah.

So anyway, like, the day goes by.

Everything goes fine.

Like, the boys get there.

We start caring for them.

and then, once we were about to leave, some of the kids were sleeping, 'cause

we had a wide range from, like, a one year old to, like, 10 years old.

Mm-hmm.

So one of my nannies was caring for the kids that were sleeping, and I was caring

for the kids that were in the dance floor.

then we start packing.

We hand the children.

We say thank you.

We start packing all of our inventory.

As we head out, we start hearing, noise inside, but the party was over.

So we're just, heading out.

All of a sudden, Amelia comes by.

We're loading our car, and the police shows up.

I'm like, "What's going on?" Oh.

My nanny goes, "Oh my God, like, the police is here. This is crazy.

Like, what's going on?" Two patrols.

okay.

We didn't… We obviously we didn't wanna go back to see what happened, but

I reached out day after to event planner.

She goes, "Oh my God, I can't disclose it, but you should speak to the

bride maybe in the future," right?

The only thing we found out is that they had to call the police because

one of the grandparents tried to, like, hold one of the little kids, and the

sister-in-law just didn't want that.

I don't know what was the reason, but police ended up being there, so.

Oh.

I don't think anyone… I know.

That was my reaction.

Like, "What, what, what was going on?" Like, why would… what happened?

Why would you not want her around the kids?

but yeah, I don't know.

I know that no one went to jail.

That, that's for sure.

Yeah.

Oh, my gosh.

Mm-hmm.

' Cause we hear the stories where, like, someone that shouldn't be

there shows up, so then the cops have to come and, like- Mm-hmm

arrest them or take them out.

I weirdly have got a lot of, exes showing up to wedding stories.

but yeah, that makes me think that they, like, had a rocky relationship.

There was something, and then the- Yeah … grandma was like, " Come give me a

hug." Always some drama.

Oh, my God.

Yeah.

Oh, my gosh.

That's wild.

Yes.

and that also goes back to your other story about, that's why it's so important,

the nanny to child ratio- Mm-hmm … because then you can specifically say,

like, "Oh, I know these three kids aren't supposed to go with so-and-so." Like-

Mm-hmm … and just keeping the kids safe.

But that's- Yeah

wild, a cop showing up to a wedding.

Oh, my-

That was really crazy.

That was a first.

And I mean, I've seen a lot of crazy things back where I'm from, you know?

we like to party, but this was a first, for sure.

Yeah.

Oh, my gosh.

Wow.

Yeah.

I'm just so glad we were not with the kids when that happened.

Yeah.

' Cause, like, I wouldn't know how to…

Like, I wanna be nice to everyone, you know?

I don't wanna just be nice to the kids' parents.

Right.

But I get it.

Like, they're your children.

You wanna protect them.

God knows from what, but you wanna protect them, and we respect that.

Right.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's gotta be really hard when it's like,

It's a good thing that she, told you specifically, 'cause like,

if she didn't, and, a grandparent came in, they're like, "Oh, I'm the

grandma," like, that's gotta be so hard with all these people coming in.

Yes.

It's like-

Yeah

is that your grandma?

Like, I don't know, like how you would handle that.

But it's a good thing that she- I know … like, knew, what boundaries she

needed to set- Yeah … 'cause we don't, I guess, know the full story there.

I know.

Wow.

That is wild.

It is, yeah.

But like I said, I th- think it's amazing what you do.

And how can someone go about- if they're interested in hiring you.

Do you do just weddings in New York City?

are you guys expanding?

How does that work?

Yeah.

we cover mostly New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

we have, I think, 50% of our business is in New Jersey, to be honest.

Okay.

New Jersey's huge.

Yeah.

So we have a lot of weddings, like, in central Jersey, in

northern Jersey, but pretty much we get inquiries from everywhere.

We've had a few wedding, few inquiries from Philadelphia lately.

Okay.

Which is still, it could be as far as some parts in New Jersey, even closer.

So we just booked, our second one for next year- in Philadelphia.

It's gonna be a three-day service.

but yeah, for the most part, the tri-state area.

And New York City, not so much, 'cause there's not so much space in the venues.

We get a few bookings here and there, but not, so many New York City.

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

And so for someone that wants to book you, Mm-hmm … should they go to

your website, go to your social media?

Yeah.

So they can go to my website.

It's www.theweddingannynyc.com.

And they can also find all the links to every social media link in my Instagram.

Awesome.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm We'll, we'll put it in the show notes as well.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

okay, so we're gonna do a little game here.

Mm-hmm.

Let's do, like, a little rapid fire.

Okay.

first thing that comes to mind.

I'm gonna give you a scenario- Okay … and then just try to answer

in, like, five seconds or less.

This might be… I'm trying this for the first time.

Mm-hmm.

Let's see how this goes.

Okay.

A ring bearer locks himself in the bathroom

A ring bearer what?

Locks himself

in bathroom.

Locks literally call 911.

Yes.

flower girl starts crying before photos.

We distract her right away with a toy.

Mm-hmm.

Toddler spills juice on the flower girl's dress.

Oh, my goodness.

We speak to toddler, and we take care of that dress,

'cause it's probably dirty now.

Yeah.

the parent disappears during cocktail hour.

Parent disappears during cocktail hour.

That's fine, 'cause we got the kids.

We're taking care of them.

We're feeding them.

Yeah.

two cousins start fighting during dinner.

We take them out of that room.

Yes.

a toddler falls asleep on the dance floor.

Uh, we just bring them back upstairs or wherever we had it set up for him.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Love that.

Great answers.

Thank you.

okay, and then we're just gonna do one last little thing.

It's called what's more likely.

Mm-hmm.

So just maybe weddings you've been a part of.

Okay.

Okay.

Either a child cries during the vows or someone falls asleep during speeches.

A child cries during the vows, for sure.

Someone loses a shoe or someone loses a child.

Someone loses a shoe.

Seen that many times.

Yes.

a flower girl refuses to walk or steals the spotlight.

A flower girl steals the spotlight, yeah.

a parent leaves the diaper bag behind or forgets snacks.

For get snacks.

a toddler dances all night or crashes before dinner?

A toddler dances all night.

Yeah.

We have fun with that.

I love that.

I love that.

Yeah.

Okay, awesome.

So let's get into this week's story submission.

Mm-hmm.

These are sent in from followers, and we'll kinda pause and react as we go.

Okay.

Mm-hmm.

Okay, here we go.

says, "I don't even know how to describe my wedding except if it

could go wrong, it did, and my groom was nowhere around for any of it.

My ex and my brothers ended up saving the day.

It started after the rehearsal dinner.

One of the groomsmen needed to pick up his tux.

He had never been to our house before, so he and his very intimidating wife

came over with their kids to get it.

The plan was for me to meet them, then drive about 45 minutes to the venue

to stay overnight with my bridesmaids.

After 20 minutes, my fiancé, let's call him Ethan, still

hadn't shown up, so I called him.

He said he was on his way.

An hour later, still nothing.

His friends needed the tux, and I needed to leave." I wonder why

she couldn't just bring it to the… Maybe I'm missing something.

Like, bring it to the place, unless-

That's what I was thinking, yeah.

Yeah.

Why

couldn't she just bring it?

Going their way earlier?

I don't know.

I'm like, maybe they're going, like, a day earlier or something,

but that's interesting.

Hmm.

" So I called again.

'Hey- Mm-hmm … where are you?

Your friends need the tux, and I have to head out.'"

Ethan: "Oh, Liam bought me a shop light for the wedding, so I

stopped for a quick skate lesson."

What?

What?

What's a shop light?

Oh my God, I don't know what a shop light is, but the skate lesson, what?

Yeah, I'm like, wait, a skate lesson?

me- Oh my God … "Your friends drove 19 hours with three kids. They're waiting

at our house, and we expected you over an hour ago." so the groomsmen, the wife,

and the kids are waiting at the house this whole time it sounds like for the groom.

Got it.

Okay.

Okay, that's- That makes more sense … would be really awkward.

So it seems like- they were everywhere they needed to be, but the groom-

Mm-hmm … is just, like, over skating.

He was just missing, yeah, and so she couldn't leave.

Oh my God.

Yeah.

Oh my gosh.

That's crazy.

I mean, I feel like, I mean, grooms don- they don't live in

the same space for the wedding.

Like, it's a total different experience for them, so I could see that happening.

My, husband was like, when we got married, he went to the gym on, the

day of our wedding, and he was just-

in the pool while I was getting ready, so I can see that happening.

it's a little weird, the skating, but

- Skating is a little weird

… they just have so much time.

Yeah.

Well, it, it's funny.

It's like that, I can't think of the sound, but it's like that viral, TikTok

where it's, showing, like, the bridesmaids and the bride all getting ready.

There's, like, so many things on their list- Mm-hmm … and it's, like, the quick

music, and then it's showing, like, the guys, and they're just lounging in bed.

Chilling.

Yeah … smoking cigars, drinking whiskey, and it's just, like, two different zones.

Like- It's whole different experience for them.

Yeah.

That's, that's for sure.

Oh my

God.

No, so this sounds- That's crazy … to me like it was one

where, she did all the planning.

She did- Mm-hmm … the scheduling.

was all on her plate.

But, like, he can't even just show up to the

thing- Yes

… which is very frustrating.

Well, that, that, speaks volumes for the marriage.

Like, we don't know how that's going right now.

I… That's exactly.

If that happened

before.

Well, she

said, so I'm wondering what, who's the ex, 'cause she said, "My ex and my brothers

saved the day." But is it her groom?

I don't know.

Mm.

okay, so

he- So yeah.

Like-

Imagine that.

she cancel the wedding.

Oh my God.

Yeah.

Ooh, okay.

Let's see what's going on here.

Oh my goodness.

so then her fiancé- Mm … said, "I just want to land this clip, then I'll head,

head home." What is this skating thing?

At that point, I told him to just let me know where the tux was so

I could give it to them and leave.

Turns out it was in his car.

Of course.

So he finally- I saw that coming … said he'd go home.

What terrible planning

That is-

Ugh

… yeah.

That's so- That makes no sense.

No … just, like, unnecessary drama for the day.

Yeah.

Oh,

my God.

"The next morning, I woke up at 7:00 AM to a call from the bartender saying

he couldn't make it due to COVID.

This was 2021.

I immediately started panicking." Jesus.

Oh, my gosh.

What a time to get married.

Yeah.

" My sister suggested calling my ex, who is a professional wedding bartender." Oh.

Oh, my gosh.

Gosh, this is where- I, I see where

this is going … the ex comes in.

Well, it's not the ex-husband, it's an ex- Okay … like-

An ex-boyfriend,

yeah

boyfriend.

Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

How do we feel- Oh, my gosh … about that?

That's a little odd.

I don't know.

I, totally against that.

I know a lot of people are open to having their exes at their weddings,

but I just don't think it's a good idea.

No, 'cause it's like- I, I really

don't

… you broke up for a reason.

Mm-hmm.

And it doesn't even ma- like, unless it was, like, in elementary school and you

dated and you, quote-unquote, "dated"-

Yeah … for

a

week-

Like, in

your childhood

… yeah.

Yeah.

But I don't know why- That's different … you'd call him an ex

then, so it's obviously not that.

Yeah.

Oh, God.

And why would your… I don't know.

It's weird that the sister was like, call your ex. He used to bartend."

Oh, God.

What,

what- You can call anyone else.

like, thousands of bartenders.

It doesn't have to be his Anyone can open a

beer.

Yeah.

Oh, my God.

Oh,

my God.

Okay.

Mm-hmm.

So, she said c- she suggested calling the ex, who is a professional

wedding bartender- Oh, my God

at a high-end hotel.

He agreed to help.

Said his friends would come, too, but they needed the alcohol at the venue

early so they could plan the menu.

I called Ethan again.

" I need you to bring alcohol." Ethan, " I can get it there by 1:00,

but I'm going hiking with my guys."

My God.

What?

This groom is- Why is he-

stressing me out.

Yeah, it's just, why?

The most random things on the wedding day.

That makes- Yeah … absolutely no sense.

And, like, the fact that he's not helping her with anything.

Yeah, this poor bride.

Like, you can just see it now, like their wedding planning was, like, he had, like,

the most basic task, he couldn't do that, and then her task is, like, a mile long.

Yeah.

That's-

So she says, "The wedding is at 2:00.

You're supposed to be here early.

The photographer arrives at 11:00." He said, "I can get there

by 1:00," 'cause he's hiking.

The wedding was at 2:00.

Oh, my

God.

What?

This guy is wild.

He just said- Oh, my God … "I'll be there dressed by 11:00, but

the guys still want to hike."

This is your future wife.

Yeah, I mean, he's prioritizing his friends.

that doesn't- Yeah … sound very well.

Mm-mm.

No, if you can't even- I

don't like where this is going.

No.

If you can't even do, like, a simple task on your wedding

day, this marriage is doomed.

I'm sorry.

Yeah.

I agree.

I agree with you.

Wild.

she said, "What about the alcohol? Ethan: Just give them the garage code." so

then I guess her fiancé now knows the ex is coming to bartend the wedding.

Okay.

Mm-hmm.

At that point, my sisters and I drove back home ourselves to pick

it up, leaving the other bridesmaids at the venue to decorate."

This is, stressing me out.

Yeah.

"On the way, I called my wedding planner to update her, and she told me

she was also sick and couldn't come."

Oh, my God.

What?

What wedding planner, though, wouldn't call and tell you that morning?

She's literally just telling you as they're going to the venue.

I know.

That's… Why?

Wow.

She is not wrong when she said everything that could go wrong is.

It is, it was going wrong, yeah.

That sounds so unprofessional.

If I was, like, being a wedding planner for somebody, I would call them the day

before or first thing that morning that I didn't feel well, and have a backup- Yeah

or something.

Absolutely.

Wow.

You always need to have a backup for everything.

Even if you have a wedding planner, like, have your maid of honor, taking

care of a few things in case stuff-

Yes

… you know, things like this happen.

Yeah, and I feel like- Wow … someone always needs to go know what's going on

because, yeah, if the wedding planner's not there, then it's, like, re-explaining

it to everybody or finding someone.

That's a lot.

Oh,

my goodness.

She goes, "So now, no bartender, no planner, no groom. I

was spiraling." Oh, my God.

"Thankfully, the venue owner stepped up to help. My parents and younger

brother met us at the house, helped load the alcohol, and we got back to

the venue at 10:00 AM. The decorations weren't how I envisioned them, so I

started scrambling to fix everything."

Oh, my God.

"Meanwhile, the photographer, hair, makeup, and DJ all arrived

on time." Okay, we got those.

At least.

We got those people.

"I kept trying Ethan. No answer." This guy.

What?

Why are we still considering marrying him?

Yeah, no, no.

Gosh.

" Hair and makeup were getting frustrated because I kept delaying getting ready,

and my bridesmaids had to chase me down.

I finally said I wasn't getting ready until I heard from him."

That's when my ex, let's call him Noah, showed up with his friends

and a bucket of alcohol Jell-O.

Oh, like Jell-O shots.

No.

Like a, like a full- Oh, my God … sandbox pail.

she calls it alcohol, like, Jell-O, but okay.

Oh, my gosh.

He handed me a tequila shot.

What is happening in this story?

This is the weirdest story I

know.

I didn't know this, like, ex-

Hating the Jell-O shots.

Like, fiancé's not even there.

Okay.

You're hanging out with your ex, drinking with him.

Oh, my God.

He handed me a tequila shot.

His friends reassured me they'd take over the bar, and they literally

sent me off to get ready with the biggest Jell-O shot I've ever seen.

Mm. I finally started getting ready.

Ethan showed up around noon with his groomsmen- … all dressed, and I sent

them off to the skate park for photos.

Oh, he must be, like, a skateboarder?

Maybe.

I mean, that's the only reason I would think he was doing that on the day of.

I don't know why.

This is- So strange

actually so funny.

When she first says something about skate- Mm-hmm … I was

picturing him ice skating.

Me too.

That's what I was pi- I was

like, why is she- I was, like, picturing him, like, twirling and

trying to, like, land on his skate.

Yeah.

But now I'm like, oh, skate park.

He's skateboarding.

Okay.

And that, makes more sense.

Yeah.

It also gives… I feel like I know his vibe now.

Okay.

He's like a wedding.

Yeah, like a tomboy.

You, I don't care about anything.

Yes.

Oh, my God.

Totally, like, grungy.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, God.

okay.

An hour before the ceremony, Noah's friends came back with another tequila

shot- Oh … and some bad news.

Ethan still wasn't back.

And neither was the caterer.

I called him.

"Where are you?" Ethan, " At the bar." I looked out the window.

"No, you're not." Ethan, "No, like, at a real bar.

We stopped for a drink- What?

… after photos." This guy does not wanna get married.

No, he doesn't.

Nope.

He's like, "I gotta get- Well, literally it doesn't matter … I gotta get all

my drinking and my hanging out with the boys before I get married 'cause I'll- Oh

you know, my old ball and chain," like

I know-

That's what he probably- Like a bachelor party.

Yes.

Oh, no.

He's, like, acting like it's a bachelor party.

me, "We already paid for a full bar at the venue." Ethan, "Well, we're

leaving now." I told him we had 30 minutes and he needed to get there.

Meanwhile, my brothers tracked down the caterer who had

accidentally double-booked.

They were on their way but had no staff now to serve the food.

Oh my God.

What?

So my brothers, cousins, and uncle stepped in, setting everything up

during the ceremony and serving all 200 guests themselves.

No way.

Oh.

No way that happened.

Oh my

God.

And they can't even enjoy the wedding.

That's insane.

I mean, so sweet of them, but still insane.

Yes.

Oh my God.

And it's like, that's a big wedding.

200 people- Yeah … like.

Yeah.

geez.

Oh

my gosh.

Although, nowadays, I feel like that's considered like mid-size.

Oh, that sounds really-

Yeah.

It is big.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, God.

And despite everything, guests had no idea how chaotic the day was.

The Jell-O bucket became the highlight of the reception.

It got passed around between my bridesmaids- … my

family, my ex and his friends.

Oh my God.

And somehow everything came together.

This story is so weird.

Sorry.

So

they got married.

The groom showed up at some point.

Yeah, it says, " That's the story of how my seven bridesmaids, my ex, his

two friends, and my entire family pulled off a wedding in just a few hours

with everything stacked against us.

And honestly, if we hadn't already been legally married, his actions

that day might have made me call-" There you go … "the wedding and

just throw a party without him."

I was waiting for that.

I was waiting for that, because I feel like if she wasn't married,

she might not have gotten married.

Yeah.

I wouldn't have, at least.

No.

So many red flags.

And yes, just that last sentence alone- Oh my gosh … saying that it was your

bridesmaids, your ex, his friends, and your family that pulled off the wedding.

Y- your groom nowhere to be seen.

No.

Your groom's showing up late.

He's causing more of the stress than anybody.

That's crazy.

Yeah, I feel like if your partner doesn't back, you up, then, who else will?

Mm-hmm.

He needs to be your, like, number one in everything.

Yeah.

That's absolutely crazy, but this was the weirdest story I've heard.

So

weird.

So many things happening, the ex, the Jell-O shots.

I thought it was gonna end with…

Like, when it first started I was like, oh, the, fiancé's

the ex. Like, they broke up.

Yeah.

Or, or maybe she'll, dumped the groom and then- Go with the ex

… hook up with the ex on her wedding day.

I want the story with the ex here.

Why is he an ex, and why are we still calling him?

And he's like, "Yeah, I'll come help you.

I'll-"

Yeah,

that's- "… I'll be a bartender at your wedding, but also kinda get you drunk."

Yeah, that's… Maybe he was in the family for many years.

Yeah.

That could've been,

yeah.

But it seems like the groom- Crazy … had no issue with it either.

It makes me wonder if it was like because he knew he was kinda slacking, he's

like, "Whatever, I'll let her," like-

Handle it.

Yeah.

But I was like talking to someone recently on an episode.

Mm-hmm.

I don't remember who it was, but talking about how like the wedding day and

like leading up to the wedding day is just a precursor for your marriage.

Mm-hmm.

And so it's like if you can't work together to make this day work or

communicate or be there for each other-

Mm-hmm

how is the marriage gonna be?

Like, I don't know.

Exactly.

I just… If he couldn't even be there on time or do two things that she

asked of him, how is this- What do

you expect?

Yeah.

That's true.

Yeah, I mean- that's one of your happiest days and you still don't

have, most of them don't have kids.

You don't have a mortgage yet.

Like, there's not many worries except for making that day perfect.

And if they can't, deal with that, what do you expect when,

like, the hard stuff comes to you?

Like- that's so crazy.

Yeah.

It's like, he's just gonna dip out and go skate with his friends.

Yeah.

Oh, God.

I'm glad he got his hike and his skating in.

Right?

Everything else doesn't matter.

Yeah.

Oh, my gosh.

That is-

Poor bride.

I feel for her.

Like, that would be horrible.

I could not imagine going through that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I know, and I feel like, too, looking back on your wedding day being

like, he was nowhere to be found.

thank God my family saved the day.

It's like-

Mm-hmm

… that's crazy.

No.

And it's so many, like, was such a sh- like, a long time of things happening

back to back to this poor bride.

I've seen, like, for example, when people don't have a wedding

planner, no one can find the rings.

Like, we just saw that one in March.

Really?

Like, they were literally at, the altar- … about to exchange rings,

and no one could find the rings.

No.

Yes.

I was even helping looking all the bridesmaids.

That I'll get, because, typically someone's in charge, but if you don't

have a planner then, things can get, lines can get blurry and maybe- Mm-hmm

you don't know or you don't remember who has them now.

But, going through so many things throughout the day,

in your wedding day, that's-

Oh, my God … that's like- Wait, so what happened with the rings?

Did they find them?

They found them.

Yeah.

They were in a little box, but, I don't even know they knew who were they

handed to, because there was no one to help, like, no coordinator- Right

no nothing.

Oh,

my.

So yeah, they found them, but it was, like, at least five minutes they

were standing there with no rings.

And I'm sure in that moment it probably feels like 30 minutes because it's-

Yes … like, oh,

my God,

they're looking for- I feel like it was so long.

Yeah.

I can imagine being them and just waiting there on the altar.

Yeah.

Like, oh, my gosh.

I know.

Oh, my.

I, heard a s- similar story where, the grandma, I feel like it was, like,

right before the wedding, the grandma wanted the ring for, like, a picture.

It was something.

Oh, God.

She was like… and someone that, the person that gave it to her didn't

realize, like, she was super forgetful.

Oh, God.

Like, "Okay, I'll give it to you for a minute.

Just make sure you put it back here." She's like, "Oh, yeah,

I will." And then it came time for the wedding and- Not having

the ring

… the grandma was like, "I, gave it back." And they were

like, "No, you didn't." Yeah.

And, was, like, this whole thing, and she was like, "Well,

I don't know where it is."

Oh, no.

And they had a look and it was, like, it fell down, through a table, like, under

the floor, and it was the same thing that was, like, during the reception.

They were like, "Wait, we don't have the rings. What's this-"

Such a stressful moment.

I mean-

Mm-hmm

… you want everything to be perfect.

You work hard to make this day happen for months, and, it shouldn't be

that hard to keep a ring in a box.

Yes.

Oh, my gosh, yeah.

Crazy.

Don't… Give it to someone you trust.

Okay, I always like to end these with confessions I write on social media.

people can, like, submit confessions anonymously.

So- Mm-hmm … this was, "A big wedding fear you secretly had before

the big day." this person said, "My in-laws causing a scene, and they did."

Oh my

God.

I'm gonna need more to that story.

Yeah, we need more of that.

"It's a little silly, but I was terrified that my husband's extended

family would show up uninvited." I don't think that's silly, because

you hear of things happening, like-

Yeah, of course

but it sounds like they didn't, I guess.

Not married yet, but that my mom and step-mom are going to have

a fight, potentially physical."

My

gosh.

They can't control themselves on their wedding day?

Come on.

I,

I know.

It's like you think- Oh my God … like, you should be able to, but the

stories I've heard where it's like people can't even sit at a table

with someone for, like- Mm-hmm

30 minutes.

I read a story where someone was, mad at, who she was sat by at the table and like

demanded it was changed or she's not gonna come, and I'm just like … Oh my God.

Or people start fights in the bathroom.

It's just like, okay.

It's just- Crazy … it's not about you.

I know.

that my great-aunt, w- my dad's aunt, would be rude to my mom and stepdad.

This said someone would turn up and try to cancel the wedding.

Oh.

What?

Where did that fear come from?

Wow.

hating the, my hair because I hired my groom's cousin.

Oh my God.

Don't hire someone that's gonna make you afraid they're gonna

do a bad job on your hair.

I know.

okay, last one.

My biggest fear was about guest behavior.

Mm-hmm.

Ooh, I think that it says there's gonna be more in another

message, but I don't see one.

We gotta know more about this guest behavior.

Hmm.

And then this other person said COVID, which valid, valid for that.

Yeah, yeah.

At that time, for sure.

Absolutely.

Wow.

Wow, okay.

I feel like we, like, shared so many stories today.

Thank you so much for coming on.

Yeah, thank you.

It was- No,

thank you for having me

… great meeting you, and yeah, chatting with… Again, I think the

business that you have is fantastic.

Can you tell everyone again your business name, where they can follow

you- Mm-hmm … find your content, and anything else fun you're working on?

Absolutely.

business name, it's The Wedding Nanny.

They can find me on my website, www.theweddingnannynyc.com.

same thing for my Instagram.

It's, oh my

God, yeah, we have TikTok, but we really don't use it much.

It's also theweddingnannynyc.

So easy to find.

if you're interested in hiring our services, you can submit your inquiry

through our, through our website, and then we'll reach out within a few hours,

and we'll get this working for you.

Awesome.

Very cool.

We'll also link all of the details in the show notes.

Thanks so much for coming on.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for having me, Christa.