Rules of Engagement, Hot Takes, and A Sister Rivalry with Lucette Brown
My new book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story is live!
Ever been caught in sibling competition over life milestones?
In this episode, Christa Innis and Lucette Brown dive into one listener’s wild tale of wedding conflicts. They cover topics such as handling toxic relationships, sibling rivalry, and balancing personal happiness with family expectations. The episode also includes unpopular opinions on wedding traditions, a humorous take on wedding speeches gone wrong, and the pressures of planning events. The episode ends with a rapid-fire Q&A about event planning and a heartfelt discussion on maintaining supportive family relationships.
Join Christa and Lucette Brown as they unpack jealousy, toxicity, and the importance of support in family dynamics—plus, discover how to survive wedding chaos without losing your sanity.
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Episode Chapter Markers
00:00 Introduction
01:51 Weather Talk: Melbourne vs. Midwest USA
04:07 Life in Chicago
04:59 Lucette’s Career Journey
06:51 Balancing Motherhood and Career
10:30 Unpopular Opinions: Relationships and Weddings
23:27 Event Planning Rapid Fire
33:40 Accidental Committee President
35:00 Mom Life and Time Management
37:14 Wedding Story Submission
41:23 Sister Rivalry and Wedding Drama
Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments
- Engagement Jealousy – Listener feels overlooked as her sister gets proposed to first despite being “less established.”
- Diamond Drama – Comparison of a real diamond versus an Etsy ring sparks tension and hurt feelings.
- Dress Appointment Feuds – Fat-phobic comments create conflict between sisters during bridesmaid dress shopping.
- Wedding Route Differences – One sister chooses Vegas elopement while the other plans a traditional wedding, escalating rivalry.
- Maid of Honor Dispute – Listener isn’t chosen as sister’s maid of honor, highlighting boundary and favoritism issues.
- Family Dynamics & Toxicity – Pent-up anger and competition reveal deeper familial struggles.
- Lesson in Support – Christa and Lucette discuss the importance of healthy boundaries and emotional support.
- Wedding Speech Nightmares – Confessions of inappropriate, cringe-worthy wedding speeches illustrate common wedding missteps.
Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode
- “Everyone has different boxes to check, don’t compare your journey to theirs.” – Lucette Brown
- “Your feelings are always valid, but toxicity isn’t excusable just because it’s family.” – Lucette Brown
- “Let them be, sometimes you can’t force people into your bubble.” – Lucette Brown
- “If you’re unhappy with someone, either hash it out or step back.” – Lucette Brown
- “Just because someone’s your sister doesn’t mean they get a free pass to hurt you.” – Lucette Brown
- “If they can’t handle celebrating each other, just be guests at the wedding.” – Christa Innis
- “Pent-up anger doesn’t mix well with a bridal party; it’s a recipe for disaster.” – Christa Innis
- “It’s not about the diamond or the dress, it’s about who makes you feel supported.” – Christa Innis
- “Don’t hold resentment on your wedding day. Life’s too short for that.” – Christa Innis
- “Sometimes, cutting ties temporarily is the healthiest choice for both sides.” – Christa Innis
- “Not inviting toxic family members is self-care, not drama.” – Christa Innis
*This conversation is for entertainment and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please seek a licensed professional for your specific situation.
About Lucette
Lucette Brown is a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in the industry, focusing on digital and interactive channels. She has worked with senior staff members to achieve record sales, company growth, and strategic objectives. Lucette has extensive experience in wedding and event planning, which she translates into creative content through her TikTok and Instagram account. She also has training from Second City and iO Theater in Chicago, where she developed her storytelling skills. Currently based in Australia, Lucette continues to work in marketing and create content about the wedding and events industry.
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A Team Dklutr Production
Blog Transcript:
Note: We use AI transcription so there may be some inaccuracies
Christa Innis: Hey guys. Welcome back to another episode of Here Comes The Drama. I’m your host, Christa Innis, and we have got a great episode for you today. Lucette Brown from Events and affairs is back and it’s well to think. She was actually my very first guest ever on the podcast, and we are coming close to a year of the podcast, which is just wild to think. The first episode came out January 23rd of this year, 2025. As I’m recording and yeah, we’re almost at a year of when it came out Les and I feel like I just talked to Issa. I mean, we see each other online all the time in chat, but um, it was so great catching up with her and we read a very wild, very long, very detailed story that I feel like you guys are gonna really get a kick out of because our opinions we’re very aligned in our opinion, but it might not be.
This response, you guys might think. So, uh, we got a lot to share, a lot of wild stories. And as always, Lou and as always, Lucette just has a lot of great stories and great opinions of per sleeve. So, without further ado, here is my interview with Lucette. Enjoy.
Christa Innis: Hi Lucette. Thanks for coming back.
Lucette Brown: No worries.
Christa Innis: I feel like it’s so funny ’cause we’ll always like start recording or we’ll start talking when we first hop on. I feel like we had a full conversation, but I’m just so happy to have you come back on. I’ve got my, yeah, thanks for
Lucette Brown: having me.
Christa Innis: Busy mom chic right now because we’re recording to match up our time zones.
You’re in Australia, which is awesome.
Lucette Brown: Yep. sunny in the afternoon here.
Christa Innis: Yeah, because you’re about you you were just saying you’re about to hit summer in Australia. Yeah, right.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Not that, I mean, I’m from Melbourne, so summer is a loose term at the moment. It’s been torrential rain. I feel like we’re still in winter, the rest of the country’s in summer, almost in summer.
Christa Innis: Oh God. is it kind of like cold and then rainy and then a little bit of warm weather? Or is it kind of just a mix?
Lucette Brown: no, Melbourne’s just all over the joint with its weather. yeah, we say that Melbourne is literally the four seasons in one day. and like, at my workplace, I’ll be chatting to my colleagues that are, you know, interstate and stuff.
They’ll be in Queensland and they just have beautiful sunshine weather. And then, you know, US people in Melbourne are just always rugged up.
Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. You like never know what we’re gonna get.
Lucette Brown: No. But then we’ll get like, you know, two weeks of just like 40 plus degree days.
Christa Innis: Yeah. And
Lucette Brown: then we’re all just dying from the heat.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Four. Okay. So 40 degrees Celsius.
Lucette Brown: Celsius, yes.
Christa Innis: Gotta be little. What is that? 80? 80 degrees. I looked that up. 40 degrees.
Lucette Brown: I dunno if fa I think Farran has a little bit than four.
Christa Innis: Whoa. Okay. It’s really hot. Yeah, I’d be inside. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: I used to be able to tolerate hot weather so much better when I was younger.
And I try not to complain now, but like, I can’t handle it as well. I get sick.
Lucette Brown: I’m not built for the heat.
Christa Innis: Ugh.
Lucette Brown: Like I’m built for, you know, Scotland Island. I’m not built further. my body is not built for the, hot climate, but
Christa Innis: Oh my. Here we are. Here we are. We just do a with. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. I’ll go out with sunscreen on and I’ll come back.
Burn.
Christa Innis: Oh. So,
Lucette Brown: oh
Christa Innis: my gosh.
Lucette Brown: I need sunscreen layers and shade. Get, I’ll make good.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Oh my God, that’s so funny. I know, like where I live, I’m in the suburb or I guess like the Midwest of the United States. I was like, trying to think of what suburb, and we kinda get all the seasons too. Like you never really know what you’re gonna get.
Like we’ll get cold summers and then sometimes we’ll get. We won’t get snow until like January or February. So I don’t really trust any season anymore.
Lucette Brown: No.
Christa Innis: You know what, take it day by day. We had 80. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Everyone’s like
Christa Innis: until October this year. So
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Everyone’s like, what season are you? I’m like, I don’t know.
It’s still cold.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: So what’s is that In Chicago.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I’m not in Chicago. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, but I’m like, I’m like two and a half hours from Chicago now.
Lucette Brown: Oh, okay. Yeah. Yeah. ’cause that’s, I lived in Chicago for almost a year.
Christa Innis: Oh yeah, we talked about this. That’s awesome.
That’s, you did, that’s of fun city, didn’t you?
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Second City improv, IO theater, all that kind of stuff. So I just lived in, old town.
Christa Innis: Okay. Oh, that’s awesome. Yeah, I was just there downtown last weekend and I haven’t had like a full day in Chicago in a long time. I met with my best friend there and no kids, no husbands, and it was just like,
Lucette Brown: oh, fun.
Our
Christa Innis: oyster. Like, what are we gonna, it was almost like we’re so used to like, momming or just having schedules that we were like, what? What do we do? What do we do?
Lucette Brown: What do we do? Well, our oyster, we can do whatever we like.
Christa Innis: Yeah. It was wild.
Lucette Brown:
From Weddings to Motherhood
Christa Innis: So for anyone that did not listen to your previous episode that you were on, you kind of done a little bit of everything.
I know you did events as well. Can you just give a little rundown of who you are, what you do, what you have done, and
Lucette Brown: Yep.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Mixed bag. well, essentially I was in the. Wedding and event industry for just over 13 years. so my very first job was a very kind of mixed bag. So it was at, I suppose I can say the places, ’cause it’s not like I’m working there now.
I never know like whether you’re allowed to say, but I’m like, you could easily find it if you were just to do a quick Google search. So, my first job was at the state library, of Victoria. And that was a very kind of mixed bag of like music concerts, press releases, weddings, lots of different things.
it became very popular, when sex in the city became big and Carrie got married, at the state library, but married, she got left at the state library, but a lot of people wanted to be like her. So it was funny, our inquiries. Went through the roof, for that. ’cause it had like the marble staircase and everything like that.
So a lot of people wanted like the sex and the city moment.
Christa Innis: So it looks like the wedding that she had, are we talking the like with big
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Where she gets left?
Christa Innis: Yes. Was that so it, I know,
Lucette Brown: uh, yeah, similar. So it’s got like the marble staircases that lead up to, like the old 1850s part of the state library and stuff.
so like very different but also similar parts of it. but yeah, so then, you know, went to lots of different places and then, Kind of left the Melbourne City area and kind of worked at venues down, I live on the Mornington Peninsula, so, down this way. And then, yeah, just kind of really honed in and just focused on weddings.
and then, yeah, had my daughter and tried to juggle a little, but the 14 hour days just weren’t, just, wasn’t it anymore. So I lasted until she was probably about six months and then yeah, did a bit of a career change.
Christa Innis: Yeah, that’s a lot. Especially like when they’re so small and you’re trying to balance it all.
And like you said, 14 hour work days, that’s a lot.
Lucette Brown: Just not, just not it.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: So it was a bit hard to kind of, because I suppose for me, like the weddings and the clients were kind of like my babies in a sense. And then, yeah, once I kind of had a baby, I couldn’t. give them everything that I was so used to being able to give.
so yeah, it just, it was at a crossroads and it was just kind of like, no, I need to. I need to stop this while it’s still, you know, good and, you know, ending on, on good terms and stuff. and then, yeah, just kind of pivoted. Not to say I won’t ever get back there. for now my life kind of needed to change a little bit.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I’m glad you were able to like, figure that out for yourself and make that change. ’cause I feel like it’s hard to have that realization. ’cause I feel like after you have a baby, it’s like your priorities change in different ways. Mm-hmm. You don’t always
Lucette Brown: expect so much.
Christa Innis: I remember like when I was pregnant talking to a friend that just had a baby who owned her business, and I was like, I don’t know how I’m gonna work and take care of a baby. No. she’s like, something clicks where like your priorities change. And then when you do have time, you’re present with them when you have free time, she’s like, you’re just very focused.
You’re like, let’s get this done while you have time.
Lucette Brown: Oh. I say, yeah, there’s no one more productive than, a mom. Like, you know, I look at like how long it used to take me to get things done at like my jobs and stuff. And now I’m just like, man, I wasted a lot of time. I know,
Christa Innis: I know. It’s funny ’cause someone was just asking me like, they’re like, what does your work week look like?
And I was like, honestly, no two weeks are the same. I said, but when I get a good two hours that I know I focus, I just like B boom, boom. Yeah. Nothing else can bother me.
Lucette Brown: You can smash a lot out.
Christa Innis: Yeah. And I feel like I used to be the person where if a text came through I had to respond right away. Now I can’t entertain a text because I know I’ll get distracted and you’ll get lost in the realms of your phone.
I’m like, if I’m into something I have to just like focus or else I get too.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Or two shiny things. I’ll just be like, oh. And then I, they’ll be like, um, hello? And I’m like, oh, I’m so sorry. Circling back.
Christa Innis: Yes. like I did for this, um, invite to our Zoom call. I literal
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Well, and yeah, and me responding to your message.
Christa Innis: Wait, we, I was like,
Lucette Brown: oh, I haven’t heard from Crystal.
Christa Innis: Well, we like booked. It’s
Lucette Brown: like, that’s because I haven’t responded. That would be on me.
Christa Innis: No. But I, I looked back and I created it for Monday. So the day I sent the link, I created it for that day. And I was like, girl, what are you doing? But it’s just one of those things, like,
Lucette Brown: I was actually sitting here at 11:00 AM my time, and I was like, already. And I’m like, Hmm. And then it’s like, oh, that’s not the right time. And then you popped up and I was like, oh, well,
Christa Innis: I was like, I think I messed up the time zone. But we just figure it out. We always figure it out.
thanks for being here.
We gotta do another, it’s okay.
Lucette Brown: It’s fun.
Wedding Stress & Boundaries
Christa Innis: I was just thinking we gotta do another skit because I remember we did one a little after you were on the podcast and I was thinking like by the time this comes out to, I don’t know the exact date, but it might be close to a year of like your initial episode, which is wild to think.
Lucette Brown: That is wild
Christa Innis: because you were one of the first That’s nuts. Episodes in like,
Lucette Brown: yeah.
Christa Innis: January or February.
Lucette Brown: That’s so awesome. Congratulations on getting to a year. It’s wild. That’s awesome.
Christa Innis: Thanks. Yeah, it doesn’t feel like it. I feel like I just started. I feel like I’m still a beginner.
Lucette Brown: That’s right. I feel like that’s everyone.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Just figuring out like Stay outta time, but I was like, oh wow. I think she might actually be like right around the same time as last time. Okay. Let’s get into this new segment. Actually, let’s do unpopular opinions. This is a little, it’s kind of a similar segment, but these are gonna be popular, unpopular relationship and drama takes.
So share thoughts on these that people send. Long engagements aren’t a red flag. They’re financially smart.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. I mean, technically my husband and I are still engaged because we never got married.
Christa Innis: Oh, there you go.
Lucette Brown: Like legally We got married overseas. so Oh,
Christa Innis: you had a destination wedding?
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: like a certificate, a marriage certificate?
Lucette Brown: yeah. So you are supposed to, so if you get married in a.
Like a different country. You can get married legally in that country, but you always still have to get married legally in your country.
Christa Innis: Oh.
Lucette Brown: And you still gotta fill out all the paperwork we never did it. so we got married in 2019, so right before, you know, the whole world changed Uhhuh and it just, yeah.
We never, I chatting to people who did destination weddings, everyone was like, do the paperwork first because you just, you won’t do it afterwards. And I’m like, yeah, it doesn’t really bother me. Whatever. Like, we’ll do it if we do it. And Yeah. No, I even had, at my job, I would have celebrates be like, I will come to your house and we will just do it.
Like, it’ll be easy and simple. And I’m like, yeah, we’ll get to it. it was just, I’m like, yeah, but then I gotta get witnesses. I got people around and like at that stage. Especially being in Melbourne, we were in and out of stage four lockdowns. Oh my. Which, unless you’re from Melbourne, you don’t understand what that means, which you should be very thankful.
but yeah, so it was just, yeah. So technically we’re still engaged
Christa Innis: and yeah. In the country you reside, you’re still engaged, but where’d you get married?
Lucette Brown: Bali.
Christa Innis: Bali. So if you go there, you’re still legally married?
Lucette Brown: No, we also didn’t get legally married there either.
Christa Innis: So you’re just,
Lucette Brown: we just had a party. one of my best mates, married us. and like in Australia it’s very different. It’s not like America where you can kind of just get like ordained online. You’ve gotta do like a full course. Mm-hmm. And it’s quite a lengthy process to be able to legally marry people in Australia.
and it’s quite expensive, so. Yeah. No, one of my mates just married us.
Christa Innis: I love it. But you know what, it’s like you guys did a party and an event that you really enjoyed, like for yourself ultimately. And that’s,
Lucette Brown: yeah, that’s all we kind of wanted. We just wanted the big party.
Christa Innis: Yeah. And I think with you probably working in stuff and weddings, you’re like, I know exactly what I want.
I’m not gonna cater to other people. This is gonna be our event. And I feel like you said last
Lucette Brown: well, and two, I didn’t wanna get married. Here because I can’t, I knew all of the suppliers, like the venues and stuff, and to me, especially like being like a people pleaser, I couldn’t bear the thought of being like, oh, well I picked you and I didn’t pick you, and Oh wow.
You know? Sorry. I had so many beautiful relationships with so many people, the thought of having to like, choose, I was just like, nah, too high basket. I’m just going to go to a different country.
Christa Innis: That is such a good point. That’s like,
if all your friends were, I mean, I don’t even know, like a dress designer or something, you know, like if you work with someone so close, then you’re like, I can’t, then they’re clearly, clearly gonna know who my favorite is or, you know, something
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: Like that. You’re like, I can’t. Yeah, that’s a really good point. I didn’t think about that.
Lucette Brown: Yeah, so the only, like, we flew over the catering and then I flew over the musician. and then that was kind of it. Everyone else was. Supplies over there.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Wow. That’s a great point though about the long engagements.
Like when anytime I post like anything about like people waiting a while to get engaged or people waiting while to get married, people have so many opinions about it and I’m like, every situation is completely different. Oh, a hundred percent are different. It’s just like I don’t get how people can get so up in arms about like, ‘ cause like my husband and I are like the opposite.
We’re, I dunno if it’s the opposite, but like we dated a long time before we got engaged. Like we were together or six years before we got engaged. We always knew we were going to, but like I was 23 when I met him, so I was like, I don’t wanna get married anytime soon.
if I do skits or people get married or like get engaged after like a long time, they’re like, red flag, red flag.
And I’m like, that’s not always the case. Like I know people that started dating 16, like give people a break.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Literally. Well I think, yeah, my partner and I. We’ve been together 14 years now. We’ve been married for six. So we got engaged after eight years.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: And yeah.
Christa Innis: doesn’t determine like your strength as a couple.
Lucette Brown: No. we had a lot of strong opinions. I think people have just accepted it now ’cause it’s been six years and they’re like, yeah, whatever. but we had a lot of strong opinions when people found out we weren’t legally married.
Christa Innis: Really?
Lucette Brown: And people were like, so what did we go to? we went to our wedding.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: And people were like, well, no we didn’t. You’re not legally married. And we’re like, we are like,
Christa Innis: well, and it’s like for us, like how many couples have you followed up with that you’ve been to their wedding to be like, did you file the paperwork? Like no one. I know I didn’t.
Lucette Brown: No, it’s only came out because obviously we got married internationally.
So people were like, oh, how does that work? And then, you know, it’ll obviously come up. And then, yeah. Some people, especially like, you know, the older. The older generations in that were kind of a bit, yeah. Got real funny about it. And especially ’cause, you know, they had to fly to another country and stuff.
And we were like, yeah, how awesome is it that we all got to fly to Bali and we all got to have this amazing holiday all together. Like, when else are we ever gonna do that? And how awesome it is that we got to have this huge party.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Like let’s focus on the positives people.
Christa Innis: Like why, why are we complaining about that?
Lucette Brown: Why are you complaining? Like I think that’s a crazy thing.
Christa Innis: That’s an amazing
Lucette Brown: trip. Yeah.
Christa Innis: I wanna
Lucette Brown: call. We had an amazing holiday. None like that whole group of people will never be in Bali together probably again.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm. So, yeah.
Lucette Brown: but we had a lot of, a lot of strong opinions on that.
Christa Innis: Wow, that’s so interesting.
But really nothing surprises me anymore. People just have a lot of opinions about
Lucette Brown: people have opinions on everything.
Christa Innis: Yeah. okay. This one says. not inviting toxic family members is self-care, not drama.
Lucette Brown: A hundred percent.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Straight down the middle with that. Get rid of the toxicity. Get rid of the toxic family members.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: I think like 10 years ago, me would’ve been like, oh no. Like you have to have them now. Uh, no. I just don’t have the space all time.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I would say that it’s not worth it. One of the benefits of like not getting in my own personal, I’m not saying it didn’t work for some people getting married young, but for me personally, if I would’ve gotten married really young, like when I first met my now husband, I feel like I would’ve been such a people placer.
Like, yeah, okay. Yeah. And like invite every friend or every person I ever had like a hangout with, you know?
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: I would’ve had way too many bridesmaids that maybe weren’t super close or great friends just ’cause I was like, I don’t wanna leave anybody out, but. Getting married when I did, I was more like, no, this is what I want.
I haven’t talked to that person in a couple years. They’ve never reached out. You know, we’re not gonna invite. Not
Lucette Brown: worth it.
Christa Innis: Just,
Lucette Brown: yeah.
Christa Innis: Easier a little bit.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: All right, last one. The real red flag is how someone might handle wedding stress. Us.
Lucette Brown: I don’t know because I’ve seen like the most beautiful people as like my clients and stuff who have been like so nice and so lovely, and then come to like, the week of their wedding. Like it’s just like someone else goes over them, like the stress gets to them and stuff, and it’s just.
Yeah. I don’t know. So I think people handle stress different.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: And I don’t know necessarily whether that’s a red flag or not. Maybe just something they need to personally work on.
Christa Innis: Yes. Yeah. I
Lucette Brown: know. Something that, you know, we can overcome.
Christa Innis: Right. I know you would hope, like if, you know, you’re like high strung around stress or like stressful situations make you act a certain way.
Like you have like a support group around you. Yeah. And my thing is just don’t be mean to people when you’re stressed. No.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: It’s the same for like the quote unquote, like Karen’s or something. No offense to anyone named Karen that’s listening, but it’s like those videos where they’re like stressed ’cause like their food came out wrong or you know, something like dumb like that and they freak out on someone, helping them.
That’s what I don’t have sympathy for. if you’re gonna be rude or mean to someone just because you are stressed or you’re going, or like you’re late so you’re like honking your horn at somebody like
Lucette Brown: mm-hmm.
Christa Innis: Take a breather.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: You can still be nice. And
yeah,
Lucette Brown: and I think that was, the time again, like COVID hit and stuff and in Melbourne we had to cancel all of our weddings and stuff.
And being on the end of that and having to call all of the couples, like people who literally were having weddings in two days. And I was just like, yeah, your wedding’s not going ahead. Oh my God. and like some of the people were so beautiful. Like you’ve literally called them, they have been planning this wedding for, God knows how long their wedding is supposed to be happening in two days and like now it’s not happening.
And not only that, I don’t know when it can happen because the problem we had is obviously like you’re canceling all these people, but like we’re already booked up for, two, three years. So then you are having like. The COVID backlog trying to deal with that and stuff. And that was probably like how people handled that situation.
I still remember the people who got and like, rightfully so like, yeah, okay. Get angry, but like, they would get like horrendously angry like at me and I’m like, I’m not the one putting, putting us, you know, this isn’t, it’s not my personal fault.
I’m just having to relay the information.
Yeah. I’m not, not me. I’m just relaying just relaying the information.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Um, so yeah, that was probably, ’cause you know, like who in their wildest dreams would’ve ever thought that was ever gonna be something that Right. We would have to deal with. and then yeah, having to make those phone calls. and then yeah, seeing how people dealt with that.
It was like, yeah, like very beautiful humans that were just okay. It is what it is.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Like it sucks and I’ll cry about it, but can’t change it.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Whereas some people are like, no, I’m getting married. I’m like, no, I’m sorry, but no, you’re not.
Christa Innis: Sorry.
Lucette Brown: Fuck. I hate to break it to you, but
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Uh, no, it’s not happening.
Christa Innis: That has to be a really stressful phone call for you to make. I feel like especially you’re saying you’re a people pleaser or like have that tendencies, like,
Lucette Brown: oh, anxiety just,
Christa Innis: oh, I already hate the phone. So doing that, knowing you’re telling them something bad that’s,
Lucette Brown: oh, it was. And like, I think they knew, ’cause obviously like there were press releases at the time and, it was being announced that this was happening.
you would know you were about to get the phone call, but yeah. And then you’d just be on the other end and sometimes you’re just listening to like just sobbing and you’re just like, okay, well I’ve got about a hundred more of these phone calls to make, so bye.
Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. I’m sure by the last one you’re just like, I’m sorry, this is it.
Lucette Brown: Oh, I’m done.
Christa Innis: Yeah,
Lucette Brown: I’m
Christa Innis: done. Oh my gosh. Gosh. That was like,
Lucette Brown: I was trying to like pass it on to like my colleagues and stuff, but because like I was the manager in that, they’re like, Nope, that’s a you problem. I’m like, yep, fair enough.
Christa Innis: Got it.
Lucette Brown: Fair enough. I’d do the same thing too. Gosh,
Christa Innis: gosh. That like reminds me of I feel like some of the most stressful calls I had to make was when I used to work for a gym.
I worked in like the corporate office. So like I was not in the gym, did not work with the clients, but every once in a while I had people calling the corporate office complaining about like a membership thing. Like maybe they didn’t cancel in time had to be like, sorry, it’s in your contract, blah, blah, blah.
Like I don’t even remember the term, but I had people scream at me on the phone. I was like, I did not sign you up for this contract. I am literally in the corporate office. And then I. This lady,
Lucette Brown: I didn’t write the contracts.
Christa Innis: I was like, I don’t agree with it either, but I’m really relaying the iteration, like it was a terrible, toxic job.
Hated it. but I remember this one time, I was already having like a rough day. Like the boss was terrible. he yelled at me for just having a bad day. Like he literally, so I was already having a bad day. This lady is screaming at me on the phone and I just started crying and the lady was like, okay, you know what?
I’m,
Lucette Brown: I’m, I’ll keep my contract. Thank you. Sorry. Signed me up for another 12 months. It’s fine.
Christa Innis: No, she literally did was like, okay, sorry sweetie. I didn’t make fina make you cry. And I was like, it’s just been a rough day. Gosh.
Lucette Brown: Like people forget, like the people you’re abusing are humans and like a lot of the times the people you’re abusing don’t have the power to change anything.
Yeah. Like,
Christa Innis: like,
Lucette Brown: and like the 16 year olds behind the coffee counter, and they’re just like. Here’s your coffee.
Christa Innis: You’re like, dude, I work, like I work here after school. Like I, yeah. Doing what I can. I cannot make any changes.
Lucette Brown: No.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Dunno why you’re abusing me, but thanks.
Christa Innis: Yeah, thanks. Oh my gosh, it’s wild.
Last-Minute Saves & Meltdowns
Okay, before we get to this week’s wild story, I wanna do a quick, little quick, might be redundant, but a rapid fire event planning edition. So I’m gonna ask a random question and we’re just gonna try to be as quick as possible. Okay. You ready? No pressure. I’m saying like high stress moments
Lucette Brown: first that pops into my head.
Christa Innis: Yeah. What’s one vendor? Red flag?
Lucette Brown: Not being flexible.
Christa Innis: Ooh. What’s a client
Lucette Brown: like? Their way or the highway?
Christa Innis: Yeah. What’s a client? Red flag
Lucette Brown: Entitlement.
Christa Innis: Hmm. Funniest guest request you’ve ever gotten?
Lucette Brown: Oh God. I know this is supposed to be a quick fire and this is not quick fire.
Christa Innis: If you can’t think of one, it’s okay to like pass to
Lucette Brown: No, it’s more, I’m trying to think of like, what would be the top, like we’ve had people request to do, magic shows, comedy acts, dances. We had people, there’s always a people who request to sing and they can’t sing.
And I’m always asking why.
Christa Innis: Oh, do they try to do it behind the bride and groom’s back, like out as a surprise?
Lucette Brown: Mm-hmm. As a surprise.
Christa Innis: Oh. How do you work that out? Do you have to like ask the bride and groom for permission?
Lucette Brown: it depends on the client. Like, because you, you know, you’re spending up to two years with these people, so you really do get to know them on like a personal level.
Yeah. Um, and yeah, it would depend on the couple, whether I would be like, oh, they would love that, or no, let’s maybe think of a different situation where that might work. maybe not at their wedding. but yeah,
Christa Innis: that’s,
Lucette Brown: wow. So it’s the people who can’t sing,
Christa Innis: I
Lucette Brown: just, they’re like, I’ll sing.
Christa Innis: They’re like, for my first act, I’ll be singing at their reception right in front of them.
I’m
Lucette Brown: gonna start singing.
Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. I just read a story where a mother, yeah, I was a bride’s mom. Planned this whole thing, like took over the whole wedding and then sang for like, I wanna say it was like 30 minutes for like everybody. And there was like nothing they could do. The bride didn’t want it, but like she was the one that booked everything.
Did everything. So she made it like her event, and they were like,
Lucette Brown: see, we have had those scenarios before where I have literally just pulled the plug
Christa Innis: Really?
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: Oh my.
Lucette Brown: And I’ve done it on a DJ before too.
Christa Innis: A dj. What’d the DJ do?
Lucette Brown: They were singing when they went to, they were singing? Yeah.
Christa Innis: Why was the DJ singing?
Lucette Brown: Just felt like it felt moved by the music. And I looked at the, I looked at the couple and like, she’s just like looking at me and I’m like, is this like, I walked up to her and I was like, is this supposed to happen? She’s like, no. And I’m like, is this part of the service? And she goes, no, I don’t want them to be singing.
I’m like, oh, okay. And I like tried to like in between, I was like, okay. I love that you are trying to add a different level to this wedding. Like, fantastic. Um, but could we not, like, could we just stick to DJing? That would be great, but they just wouldn’t listen. and then it like gets to the point where it’s just like, yeah, okay, you’re being paid for a service.
You are not listening to me now.
Christa Innis: Yeah,
Lucette Brown: I’m done. So I just pulled the microphone and I’m like, put your DJ music back on please. And just walked away. That is
Christa Innis: wild. To be like, because
Lucette Brown: I was like, whatever. I was like, I’ll be the bad guy. that’s fine. The couple are here to, you know, this is their wedding day.
and then yeah.
Christa Innis: Oh my
Lucette Brown: God. Safe to say that they weren’t exactly Welcome back at the venue.
Christa Innis: Yeah. That’s wild. To just start singing as the dj.
Lucette Brown: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Christa Innis: Like, oh, I
Lucette Brown: can s better than,
Christa Innis: uh, Whitney Houston over here. Just lemme
Lucette Brown: know. Yeah. Felt moved by the music and just whipped out a microphone and started singing.
Christa Innis: Wow. I’ve heard it all. I’ve heard it all. Let’s see. best last minute save. You’ve pulled off.
Lucette Brown: Ooh,
Christa Innis: I know these, some, these are like hard and like detailed.
Lucette Brown: Probably the one that probably comes to mind was ages ago. and it was at the state library and how it works is like the whole place is on like four blocks, in the Melbourne CBD and we had a huge power outage, but only half of the library was part of the power outage.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm.
Lucette Brown: And we had this huge, corporate event, which was this huge like launch for, I won’t say the client, but huge like product launch, all that kind of stuff. And it was happening in like an hour. I was on the phone and unfortunately, like they couldn’t say.
When we were getting power. ’cause obviously we are very low on the list, for when people get their power back and stuff. And they couldn’t give us a time estimate. So we had to completely relocate to a completely different, area in the library. And then with no power. Like with no power.
We had no lifts and we were trying to get ovens and stuff up, the mumble staircases and stuff, and we had to use ramps and it was just like pulling out every trick in the book Oh my To pull the event off. And literally as the event, it all got pulled together as the guests were arriving.
Christa Innis: Whoa.
So just in the naked time?
Lucette Brown: Just in naked time.
Christa Innis: Wow.
Lucette Brown: So that was like, I was what, I think it was like when all this was happening. So you put
Christa Innis: like, fresh in like,
Lucette Brown: yeah, fresh in thinking on my toast. I do remember like pushing ovens up on like planks of wood trying to get like, not, not oh HNS, you gotta get what you gotta get done.
So that was probably the best last minute save off the top of my head.
Christa Innis: That’s wild. That’s a good example. have you ever had to hide a meltdown from a client?
Lucette Brown: A lot,
Christa Innis:
Lucette Brown: Too many to count. So many, so many meltdowns from family members, even like meltdowns from brides who didn’t want their guests to see.
but yeah, the most recent venue I worked at, we had like a little kind of like cottage, which we could put people in. but yes, we would have to move a lot or like, not just meltdowns, just like. Family who’ve gotten too heated and we’re like, okay, we need to separate you guys. and then, yeah,
Christa Innis: it’s like a whole,
Lucette Brown: yeah.
That would happen more often than not. Oh
Christa Innis: my gosh. It’s wild.
Lucette Brown: Weddings, place of love.
Christa Innis: Nice. It’s like a high stress, like any kind of issue or problem gets all just brought to the surface and
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: And we would have so many too during the ceremony, and especially come like summertime and you’ve got a ceremony outside and if it’s, you know, a ridiculously hot day and you’ve had people who haven’t eaten and they’ve just been drinking and they haven’t necessarily drunk water, like people just like passing out during the ceremony.
Christa Innis: Oh my gosh.
Lucette Brown: So that would happen a bit as well.
Christa Innis: Okay.
Lucette Brown: It would go too hard on the pre-drinks.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Yeah. I’m sure that’s pretty common. I’ve seen it happen at a lot of weddings.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: they run wild, you know. Yeah. Bars are open, drinks are flowing. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: this is before our bra even opened.
This is like their own, their own bars been opened
Christa Innis: right. To the hotel or something. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. what’s a wedding trend? You’re over?
Lucette Brown: Hmm.
God
probably, it might be, but wedding favors like Ardi.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I feel like that’s a
Lucette Brown: lot. I just think it’s the price per head is just astronomical these days. I don’t think you also need to be buying your guest a present, which just gets left.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I’ve seen some really cool favors and they’re fun, but I feel like for the most part, they get left behind or
Lucette Brown: Mm.
Christa Innis: Just kinda like, don’t care about them. There’s certain people and I feel like it’s, maybe it’s ’cause it’s like, I love crafts and I love like little trinkets. So for me it’s like, oh, like I remember this from my friend’s wedding. But I would say majority of people are just kind of like, okay. Or they like leave them behind.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. and two, the amount of it would get to the point where you’d be like, towards the end of the wedding season and the staff were even like, I can’t take any more wedding papers home. Like, and the couples would be like, please, like, we don’t want them. And the staff are like, I don’t want them either.
Christa Innis: I don’t need another bottle opener or a cozy,
Lucette Brown: no, I don’t need another, stubby holder. I don’t need another, you know, so many things that people would have. I’m like, I just, we are good. Thank you. Of like a couple that you don’t really actually know.
Christa Innis: okay. we were talking before we started about different phrases from different countries and
Lucette Brown: Oh God, it’s stubby holder, isn’t
Christa Innis: it?
Stubby holder. So the only reason I know what that is now is because someone submitted a, I wanna say it was a story to me. I couldn’t remember if it was an unpopular opinion of a story. And I was reading, I was like, stubby holder, I gotta look that up. and I was like, oh, okay. Because we call ’em like beer coozies.
I’m thinking that’s what, ah, it like, it goes with a beer bottle.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. It’s a sleeve. It’s like an insulated sleeve that you can hold your cold beer.
Christa Innis: Yeah, I love that. And
Lucette Brown: yeah, a stubby holder.
Christa Innis: That sounds so much better than a coat. Cozy. I dunno. I
Lucette Brown: know. Cozy sounds cute though. Stubby holders just like, yeah.
I don’t know. That’s Aussie slang for you.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Stubby. Stubby holder.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I
Lucette Brown: Beer.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I feel like that used to be a very common, the last couple weddings I went to, I got like. I did get a cool, like beer, gosh, now I don’t know the term of it. Like kinda an old fashioned like beer mug, which was kind of cool.
Lucette Brown: Ah, yeah. In
Christa Innis: one wedding. I don’t know. I’d been so long since I’ve been like at a wedding as a guest. I just helped with a wedding like over the summer. I don’t remember what the beavers were. I don’t remember.
Lucette Brown: Oh, I’m very excited. We were about to go, oh, we
Christa Innis: did a flower bar.
They did a flower bar.
Lucette Brown: A flower bar. Oh yes. We used have the, yeah. Grand flowers and stuff. Yep.
Christa Innis: Yeah,
Lucette Brown: we had a few we had a lot of flower bars. I’m about to go to a wedding in about two weeks of one of the colleagues that I used to work with at
Christa Innis: Oh, fun.
Lucette Brown: The most recent wedding place I worked at.
Christa Innis: Oh, that’s fun. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: So that’ll be fun.
Christa Innis: Have you,
Lucette Brown: it’s always weird been on the other side.
Christa Innis: Yeah. To Do you think you like notice more things than like,
Lucette Brown: oh, a hundred percent. I try not to, and like I try to like switch it off and stuff. And I remember I was at one of my best friend’s wedding just recently and I was there and like I knew like the celebrate and everything, like we were chatting and stuff and you know, I was like, oh, like, you know, what can I do and everything.
And they kept going, just stop, go and enjoy yourself. And I’m like, okay,
Christa Innis: yeah,
Lucette Brown: sorry, forgot.
Christa Innis: You know, I had that problem for the longest time where I would be like. A guest invited to the wedding, not in the wedding party, but I would find some way to like help. Not like I was like overbearing and being like, look, no,
Lucette Brown: like I’m just like, yeah, like what can I do?
Christa Innis: Yeah. Like I’d be like texting the friend and being like, Hey, can’t wait for your wedding. I’m so excited. If you need anything, let me know. And they’d be like, oh. And I’d be like, just chatting with them. I’d be like, do you need help with that? Because there’ve been a few weddings where I’d be talking to the bride just like a friend of mine they’d be like really stressed about stuff.
And I was like, girl, what can I do to help? So I’d like go over there and help. And they’d be like,
Lucette Brown: yeah,
Christa Innis: why are my bridesmaids not even helping and you’re helping? I’m like, I don’t know. I just like enjoy doing it. My husband’s like, how’d you get involved again? And I’m like, I don’t know. I like doing stuff like that.
Lucette Brown: Yeah, just what happens.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: It’s just part of it. That was, now that my daughter is in kindergarten and she’s just started and like my husband was like. whatever you do, like please don’t, please don’t join the committee. And I’m like, no. Like I don’t have time to be on the committee. Like it’s all fine.
And then last year I went to like the big A GM that they had and I thought I was like signing up to create like a group WhatsApp account for like the moms and stuff. And I was like, oh yeah, I’ll do that. Like that’s fine, I’ll do that.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: And then one of the moms I was with was, she was like, oh congratulations, you’re on the committee.
I’m on the what now? And she’s like, you just signed up for the committee? And I’m like, no, I signed up to create a WhatsApp group. And she goes, yeah, that’s on the committee. I’m like,
Christa Innis: you are
Lucette Brown: part of, okay great. flash. And I was telling like when I was with all my friends, like, ’cause we’ve been friends for like 20 plus years now, and I was saying, you know, like I’m not being on the committee.
Like it’s not happening. And one of my mates, he’s like, doll. You’ll be president of the committee. Like before I know it and I’m like, no I won’t. Like no, I don’t have time. Flash forward to now and I am now the president of the committee.
Christa Innis: Oh my Lucy. You’re like Al, I just made time. I figured it out. Wait, what’s time? It went from you? What’s his?
Lucette Brown: Aries.
Christa Innis: Aries. Oh, Aries get stuff done. They really do.
Lucette Brown: Okay. Well it went from being the WhatsApp group to then being the fundraising person and like doing all the events and stuff. And then now I’m, yeah, the president.
Christa Innis: Oh my. You’re like, who me? don’t know.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. I was like, no, I don’t have time. And they’re like, all my friends who like know me more than me are like, please, yes you will be. You will be on that. You will be on that committee. I’m like, no,
I don’t have time.
Christa Innis: Love that story. That is hilarious.
Lucette Brown: So it’s fun.
Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. You just,
Lucette Brown: we’ll make it work.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I feel like what we were talking about before, I don’t now, I don’t remember if this was when we were recording or not, but it’s like that mom thing we were talking about where it’s like all of a sudden you just make it happen.
Like you’re like, I got two hours. what normally would’ve maybe taken me 10, eight to 10 hours I will get done in. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: I’ll get it done.
Christa Innis: Who knows when my daughter will wake up, who knows when she’ll get home, you know, whatever it is. I’m gonna make this time count.
Lucette Brown: happen.
Christa Innis: You’re gonna,
Lucette Brown: it’s a lot of hours in a day.
Christa Innis: There’s so many hours in the day and
Lucette Brown: you don’t need sleep. Sleep’s overrated.
Christa Innis: Oh yeah. It’s
Lucette Brown: fine.
Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. You’re telling me, I’m like, that’s why I was telling you, the second I lay down with my daughter, I’m out because I refuse to nap. I don’t like napping. ’cause it makes me feel like I have so much to do.
I gotta get stuff done. I’ve been this way since like high school, college. I just could not nap. And so, especially now that I’m like. Six hours of sleep every night about if I lay down to sleep. I’ve still not caught up from like when she was a baby, baby. And you get like hours. Oh yeah. God, no.
Lucette Brown: those years are gone.
Christa Innis: Those are gone. I feel like my body’s just always ready, like it’s always fall asleep.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: So I don’t
Lucette Brown: know. That was, I was reading somewhere and someone said, it was like, it takes four hours to like recoup like one hour of miss sleep. And I was like, I’m done. I’m never recouping those hours that I lost.
Christa Innis: Mm.
Lucette Brown: That’s
Christa Innis: no for like any new moms listening, this is what I did. And maybe it was like a little d Lulu, but this is what helped me when I would wake up in the middle of the night to like nurse her or just like, you know, if we had to change a diaper, whatever it was.
Lucette Brown: Mm.
Christa Innis: I refused to look at the clock.
I didn’t wanna know what Yeah. It was,
Lucette Brown: no,
Christa Innis: I had to do the
Lucette Brown: same
Christa Innis: so much. ’cause I would like. Not know how tired I was the next morning. Like I’d be like, I’m just gonna drink my coffee and carry on it’s morning.
Lucette Brown: Yeah,
Christa Innis: whatever
Lucette Brown: that was the best thing that I did too. Especially ’cause I had a saying, like, when you’re waking up to like, breastfeed them and everything and you’re just like, oh my god.
And you’re looking at the clock and you’re like, I have been up like six times already. And then it’s just like, you just need to like
Christa Innis: shut it
Lucette Brown: off. Like my husband, like, Hey man, how many times did she wake up? I’m like, dunno, don’t care.
Christa Innis: Yeah,
Lucette Brown: let’s move on.
Christa Innis: She’s good. The job was done. Check.
Lucette Brown: It is good.
I was a good cow last night.
Let’s move on.
Christa Innis: Yes,
Lucette Brown: let’s
When Sisterly Support Turns Competitive
Christa Innis: Hundred percent. All good cow. Oh my gosh. All right, let’s get into this week’s wedding story submission. As always, names are changed and here we go. Feel free to stop me at any point, or we’ll just react. All right. My older sister, Rachel, was married before me, but her marriage only lasted two months when she was, hold on.
I have to stop something really quick.
Lucette Brown: you not change the names?
Christa Innis: No. I’ll take, I’ll take this out, this started just like a story I just read, so I was like, I wanna make sure it’s not the exact thing. So
Lucette Brown: the same one.
Christa Innis: Wait, I swear I’ve read this. Okay. Hold on. Let me just pause this. I’m so sorry. And we are back. Okay.
Lucette Brown: Like nothing happened.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Like nothing happened. What do we even, okay. Here is the blind reaction of the week. All the names have been changed. Okay. I 20 5:00 AM getting married to Dee 28 male. We’ve been together since 2022.
Started hanging out, spending the night more often than not. Moved in about nine months into the relationship and have been inseparable since. We don’t fight. We have so much fun together and we are genuinely in love. We both lived life as single people before, not as people who can’t be single, which I think is a huge red flag.
It just reassures us that we’re perfect for each other. Never wondering if the grass is greener or so to speak. My younger sister, C 20 F, is engaged to G 25 M. I actually went to school with G. He’s a nice guy. Was super nerdy in high school. Never went to parties, quiet but kind. And in most of my honors classes, when I found out they were dating, it felt weird.
I wasn’t sure how they met since they were not in school at the same time, and my sister wouldn’t tell us, which I thought was odd. She also wouldn’t let me follow him on Instagram. I sent a request and she told him to decline it, even though I’ve known him way longer than she has.
Once a month. Our big Italian family does Sunday dinner at my grandma’s house. When c and g started dating, he began coming too, but at every dinner or family function, they would key to themselves, whispering to each other the entire time while everyone else talked together. Super weird.
Lucette Brown: So is he married?
Christa Innis: I know. I’m like, what’s going on here? Is he hiding something from everybody?
Lucette Brown: Why can he come to family functions? But you can’t follow him on social media.
Christa Innis: Yeah. That’s very odd because I feel like anything that he is gonna show there would be the same. Right? Sure. Fast forward to 2024. My partner and I are thriving.
We went from renting to buying our first home. We’re both progressing in our careers. We adopted a dog. We’re building a beautiful life together. Now, my sister
Lucette Brown: I just love how this whole story, she’s like, so we’re just doing like amazing. And like everything about us is just fabulous, and we’re just really perfect people.
But my sister,
Christa Innis: there’s been a few stories that I’ve,
Lucette Brown: that in itself is a red flag.
Christa Innis: I know there’s,
Lucette Brown: I love the confidence. Love it. But you know,
Christa Innis: Yeah, I know. I always have to look at these stories. looking at both sides. Yeah, because I’ve gotten stories like this before where I’m like, well, I don’t actually see how your sister is being wrong.
Like, not saying this one necessarily, but
Lucette Brown: No,
Christa Innis: like, I’m like, wait, we need to look at this, but were different.
Lucette Brown: Yeah, no, I just, but I just love how Yeah. It’s just like, you know, like, we’re perfect, perfect for each other, we’re thriving, which like, they probably are, and like hats off to them, bravo.
But it’s just a very interesting way to like write a story and then be like, but my sister
Christa Innis: Yeah, but look at her.
Lucette Brown: She’s the problem.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Something wrong with that one.
Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. No, that’s so true because here we go.
Lucette Brown: Continue. Sorry.
Christa Innis: It says No, no, that’s a great observation. It says, now my sister and G’s situation, they still live together in G’S parents’ house.
So they horrible. They’ve been together, they’ve been together a few years now. they’re also engaged. Doesn’t say how long they’ve been together, but they live in his Parents’ house. as far as I’m being
Lucette Brown: financially responsible.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I’m like, as far as I’m concerned, 25 is still really young.
Like, I don’t know. I’m
Lucette Brown: pretty sure I was still living, like me and my now husband, were still living with my mom at 25.
Christa Innis: That’s, yeah. That’s so young. We were just barely getting back Bills at 20.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. So we were trying to save for a house.
Christa Innis: Yeah. so the girl that wrote this and her sister’s fiance are the same age, but the girl that wrote this, her partner is 28, so a few years older and her sister is younger.
Yeah. So I think it’s that like older sister thing.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: But like at the same time, like they’re not. her partner’s almost closer to 30 while she’s like early twenties. So I don’t know where I do feel. Yeah,
Lucette Brown: see maybe it’s younger sister and me that’s coming out and I’m like, hang on a second.
Christa Innis: Same. I’m the younger sister too, so I’m like,
Lucette Brown: alright sister,
Christa Innis: slow your rock.
Lucette Brown: Dial it back a not,
Christa Innis: it says, oh, she had an ad in his childhood bedroom. Okay. His two older siblings also live there with their significant others, which somehow normalizes it for them. Neither C nor G has ever lived on their own.
which again, I think they’re pretty young. Especially like the Sister’s 20. I don’t, that’s pretty young. My sister has never had a job. Okay. In high school. She was a total home buddy. She’d even have us bring her food to go instead of coming to family dinners. My dad, I feel like there’s a lot of tension going on here, so she’s gonna mm-hmm.
Everything that annoys her, which I get my dad would make her come sometimes just to get outta the house. She got her license at 18, which might be the most adult things she’s done after high school. She started taking prerequisite classes at a local college, but stopped halfway through the semester, even though my parents were paying for it.
Now she’s been in cosmetology school for a while and keeps saying she’s almost done since December. Okay. When I asked what she’d do after, she said she’d work in an upscale salon we’ve all gone to for years. I told her to have a backup plan since they usually only hire Paul Mitchell graduates, but she insisted I was wrong and said so very rudely.
She still has no income and just asked my parents for money. Which they always still give. Basically, she’s at a very immature stage of life and it’s hard to talk to her about anything. Adult now for the wedding drama. Here we go. Okay. That was all the, all the background to get us ready for this. Yeah.
Before either of us were engaged, she sent a video of her and G in his yard playing with their goat. In the video, G was wearing a black rubber ring on his left hand. I texted privately asking if they got married. She snapped. It’s not a wedding band. Stupid. Oh, okay. And that was that. Then at the next family dinner, I noticed she was wearing a purple gemstone ring on her left hand.
My dad and grandma asked if I knew anything. I told them about our text. They all thought it was strange. A few weeks later, after dating for a year, my sister sent a picture in our family group chat of the ring with a yellow gemstone saying she got engaged. I honestly thought it was a joke because not to be rude, the ring looked like one of those you get out of a 25 cent machine.
My dad confirmed it was real. Oh, am
I?
Lucette Brown: Even if it was,
Christa Innis: I know, like I literally just saw a post today about this girl turned down an engagement because the ring was only $900 and this guy spent like, that’s a good chunk of money still. And she turned him down for that. And so it tried this whole debate of like.
What is acceptable? or would you say, go to this and I’m just like, if you wanna be with this person and they’re spending money on you, why does, I
Lucette Brown: couldn’t care if it was a silver with a cubic zirconia. Like,
Christa Innis: yeah, why does that matter? Does that
Lucette Brown: matter?
Christa Innis: I don’t know. I don’t get that whole thing.
that like old fashioned, I dunno if people still do this when it’s like, it should cost six months of rent, have you before, or six months of their salary or something.
Lucette Brown: I do that these days, but people can’t even afford to put food on the tables alone. Six months to buy a ring.
Christa Innis: I wouldn’t want my partner to spend that money, be like, we could use that for so many. I could be
Lucette Brown: angry
Christa Innis: things. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Like, do you know what we could have done with that money?
Christa Innis: I would legitimately be mad.
Lucette Brown: Yes. I’d be like, you can return that now. let’s go get something from, the $2 shop.
Christa Innis: Yes. And especially like you said too, like even if it was a 25 cents.
vending machine, they live, they’re saving money. They’re living at his parents’ house right now. Maybe they don’t have the funds.
Lucette Brown: She doesn’t have a job.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Like
Christa Innis: so
Lucette Brown: that’s a bit responsible.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Oh, here we go. I’ll admit it. I was annoyed. I felt like I deserved to be engaged more. Not in a body way, but in a, of course
Lucette Brown: not,
Christa Innis: but because Dee and I were so established while she seemed nowhere near ready
Lucette Brown: and thriving.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm. Yeah. This is like a tale as old as time. I hate to say it like that, and I’m not trying to come down hard on this person, but like, it’s so hard to see outside the bubble and it stems from like jealousy of like, well, why is he proposing her first when we’re more established? But like, checking the boxes does not mean you’re more ready or less ready than them.
It’s
Lucette Brown: everyone has different boxes to check.
Christa Innis: Exactly. Like,
Lucette Brown: you know, I’ve got so many of my friends who will never get married ’cause it’s just not what they wanna do.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm.
Lucette Brown: some of them don’t wanna have kids. Some of them will never buy a house.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Ish there. Right?
Christa Innis: Yeah. And I feel like it’s all completely separate.
It’s not like, yeah, all right, you bought a house so now you can have a baby. so now you this and I can do that. It’s like, no. Like they’re all separate decisions and every relationship is different how they wanna do it. Yeah. So if you have an annoyance with it, that’s between you and your partner to kind of figure out, not your sister.
Yeah.
Lucette Brown: And you know what she can always propose as well.
Christa Innis: Exactly. it’s 2025.
Lucette Brown: It’s 2025. if you wanna be engaged that badly. Wow.
Christa Innis: Take matters. Falls
Lucette Brown: in your court too.
Christa Innis: Yeah, exactly. So she said, still, she’s my sister and I wanted to be supportive. I texted her privately to say congratulations, and she responded nicely.
Sorry, this is long. we’re almost there. Two weeks later, Dee surprise me with a proposal on my birthday. I of course said yes and was thrilled. We called family and friends. I texted my sister a picture of my ring. A real diamond. Four and a half carrots. Hers is Mo. Oh, this reads so mean. Hers is mo, I can’t say the word Mo.
Mo. Oh,
Lucette Brown: mo. Moen
Christa Innis: Moen.
Lucette Brown: Moist
Christa Innis: Moen.
Lucette Brown: I know what you mean.
Christa Innis: I know what Mo. I know what Mo Ignite. Oh my gosh. It’s making me so mad. I can’t say it. Yeah. Ignite from Etsy though. She claims diamonds are tacky. There is nothing. Well, to be about a MOIs Aite ring from Etsy.
Lucette Brown: I was gonna say, I actually, I think there was like a light blue moise and I, which, and I was obsessed with this ring.
Loved it. Like that was actually my preferred stone. Mm-hmm. And the only reason why, when my husband was like designing the ring and stuff, he didn’t go with that was because it’s really soft and he knows how clumsy I am and I would’ve just ruined it. ’cause my rings never come off.
Christa Innis: Okay.
Lucette Brown: yeah, he knew, so he got like one of the sturdiest, really sturdy stones. but yeah, I was like, oh, like I like it. But I really like the blue one that I said, you know, the blue one Yeah. To be ungrateful. Yeah. Um, and then yeah, he was like, oh no, they’re really soft.
But yeah, it’s a beautiful gem.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I have to say, it’s funny ’cause like when we went on our honeymoon, I got a. $25 from Amazon. Like, it was like cubic zirconia because I didn’t wanna bring my real ring ’cause we were gonna be swimming and stuff, you know, we’ll get replacement ones. I got so many compliments on that ring, it was $25.
And I was like, okay. I just feel like it’s about what makes you feel good and who cares if they hundred percent quote unquote fake. Who cares? It’s what looks good for you? she didn’t reply until the next day with a single word. Congrats. That hurt. Especially after how supportive I’ve been sending one text.
Happy Bear. Making a negative comment is not really supportive.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Have you been supportive?
Christa Innis: Yeah. And the fact, I don’t know, it just reads so like, I’m better than you because I have a full a
Lucette Brown: hundred percent
Christa Innis: spirit real diamond.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. But even like, when the whole story started. And you know, she was like, like, we’re perfect for each other.
We’re thriving, we’re this, we’re that. And it’s just like, okay.
Christa Innis: Yeah. When it sounds like she doesn’t really know,
Lucette Brown: are you good people?
Christa Innis: Yeah. Because
Lucette Brown: really that’s all that really matters.
Christa Innis: And to me, like it just sounds like she doesn’t really know her sister and her fiance’s relationship. Right. And it’s like,
Lucette Brown: yeah,
Christa Innis: maybe they’re just private people.
Like I know a lot of couples like that that just keep to themselves, and maybe that’s what it is. Maybe there is something more we don’t know, but like, it sounds like she doesn’t really know them, so they could be perfect for each other,
Lucette Brown: just be like, what? They’re 25? Yeah. Okay, cool. Some people don’t like know what they wanna do or like fully come into themselves until even like some people are like late thirties, early forties.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm.
Lucette Brown: Like,
Christa Innis: yeah.
Lucette Brown: Let ’em be.
Christa Innis: Yeah. So she says, we chose totally different wedding routes. She’s doing a fully traditional wedding and we’re eloping in Vegas, which fits us perfectly. So far, I’ve had two wedding events, one being our engagement party at a brewery in our hometown. She came to that with her fiance and it was fine.
She had two dress appointments and one bridesmaid dress appointment, all of which I’ve driven three hours away to attend despite my crazy schedule as a dance teacher, competition judge, and convention, convention, faculty member constantly flying around. When I finally made my own dress appointment between her events, she texted that she couldn’t come because she had a veil appointment.
I asked what it meant. She said she was picking up her veil. The store was only 30 minutes from me, so I asked if she could come before or after. She said no. She also had to make a payment for her venue and said it was too much driving. This just sounds like rival sisters. Yeah, and I
Lucette Brown: feel
Christa Innis: like the fact that they’re engaged at the same time is just.
A problem in general.
Lucette Brown: This is, again, this is like the toxicity that it’s just like, okay, if you guys don’t like each other, just
Christa Innis: don’t
Lucette Brown: fall. Call it. Call it what it is. your sisters, at the end of the day, you don’t have to be best friends.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I hate to say it this way, but I don’t exactly blame the younger sister for saying no.
‘ cause she probably feels the toxicity from this other sister. And she’s like, I wanna be in my wedded bliss right now. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: I wanna be in my bubble.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Because think about it this way, if they, if they weren’t sisters, and let’s say this was a toxic friend,
Lucette Brown: you wouldn’t want, yeah. And I think that’s like, that’s the biggest thing, isn’t it?
Is that so many people are like, oh, but they’re my sister. Oh. But they’re, you know, so and so. And it’s like, yeah, but a toxic person is still a toxic person.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm.
Lucette Brown: And if they make you feel small and they don’t make you feel good.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Yeah, and obviously we’re reading between the lines. We don’t know either, but just seems very like we’re so much better.
And then they kind of suck. They’re awkward, they’re weird.
That’s the way I’m reading.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. Yeah.
Christa Innis: maybe I’m reading it wrong. And you can
Lucette Brown: Well, it’s also how it’s been written, right? Like you can only read the words that are there.
Christa Innis: True.
Lucette Brown: So
Christa Innis: yeah, I reminded her that I’ve been driving twice that to support her, but she snapped.
I’m getting married too. At that point. I told her not to worry about it. I didn’t want her energy At my appointment. Later, my mom found out and told my sister it was messed up not to go, which made my sister mad at me again for telling my mom. Two days later, my sister texted saying her venue rescheduled her payment so she could come if I still wanted her to.
I didn’t reply and she didn’t come. That hurt even more because I didn’t, but she
Lucette Brown: didn’t reply.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I’m like, what?
Lucette Brown: It’s like they’re both playing the same game and it’s like
Christa Innis: mm-hmm.
Lucette Brown: No one’s gonna win in this scenario.
Christa Innis: No.
Lucette Brown: Like,
Christa Innis: you need like,
Lucette Brown: like you’re both
Christa Innis: a four.
Lucette Brown: I’d say they’re both at fault. Like they’re both, you know, without kind of knowing anything about it.
But yeah, I would just be like, you both. Yeah.
Christa Innis: they’re off. They need like the full, like reset because it’s that thing where it’s like they both wanna be the victim. They both wanna be upset. Like, we’ve all been there, it’s
Lucette Brown: both their wedding, they’re in their limelight and it’s like, well, nothing’s gonna get accomplished while you both think that way.
Christa Innis: Yeah, 100%. So she said that her even more because I knew the reschedule story was a lie. No venue suddenly books a wedding two weeks out at the appointment. My mom, who decided to pay for my dress after realizing how much she was spending on my sister mentioned to her on the phone that I found my dress.
My sister never texted, called or asked to see a photo, nothing. The following weekend was her bridesmaid dress appointment. I tried on two dresses that I loved and she said she loved them too. Then suddenly she changed her mind and asked me to try on what I can only describe as a fat girl dress, what, for lack of a better term, this can, that’s problematic.
Be a real story.
Lucette Brown: I’m trying to even like, what the hell is a fat girl dress?
Christa Innis: This is what she is calling it. She goes, I’m very fit and the dress look awful. So she’s making like a fat phobic comment.
Lucette Brown: Okay.
Christa Innis: I don’t typically, there’s been few that like, someone sends me a story and I’m like, Ooh, you’re not the. Okay.
Lucette Brown: Doesn’t sound like a very nice person.
Christa Innis: Yeah, I don’t like that yet. She suddenly claimed it was her favorite. It felt like she was trying to get a rise out of me. I told her, honestly, I didn’t like it and said, if you want it that badly, you can buy it, but I’m not paying for it.
She called me a bitch, but honestly I didn’t feel bad. She’s been acting cold since my engagement and I was over it.
Lucette Brown: She, oh, they both need to get out of each other’s bridal parties and just call it a day.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Just be guests at each other’s weddings. Oh my gosh. She eventually picked a different dress.
Not as nice as the first two, but acceptable. So I bought it and left without even saying goodbye. She still didn’t congratulate me or ask about my dress. Oh. And she’s not making me her maid of honor. Well, why would she? I
Lucette Brown: wanna make my ma of honor.
Christa Innis: I, yeah. In what world should you be? Her maid of honor.
Lucette Brown: Nice.
Christa Innis: I am like, like we need to look out family man myself a little bit and be like, okay, if I weren’t her sister and I was acting this way, or talking about her this way or treating her this way. would that be normal?
Lucette Brown: Like, they’re both like, I dunno, like she’s in the wrong and it sounds like her sister’s also in the wrong, like they just both need to just Yeah.
But you
Christa Innis: like hash it all out. And it’s hard because we’re saying, it’s like such an intense time in their life. Yeah. But there’s a lot to do, a lot going on. They’re both the brides, they already have this like, competition, so it’s like, until they really hash it out, it’s gonna be like that the whole time.
I feel like, yeah, it’s gonna be,
Lucette Brown: and it’ll be like, and this is coming from like, you know, from personal experience. Like, I remember I had someone in my bridal party who I was like, no, like I have to have them in my bridal party. Like they should be in my bridal party. And they were just problematic from the get go really.
And I look back and I’m like, I should have just. it would’ve been a blow up then, but I reckon the rest of it would’ve been fine. Rather than like, just constant little things to like the big blowout, essentially at the wedding. just get rid of it now.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Snippet while it’s like, while it’s happening. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: I feel like we always wanna, like, especially as people pleasers or like, we wanna like, be like, no, I still have hope. I think things are making plus like, it’s
Lucette Brown: that I think you have this, this, you know, idea and you’re like, no, it’ll be fine. Or like, they’ll come around like, they’ll be there for me on the wedding day and it’s like, no.
No.
Christa Innis: Yeah,
Lucette Brown: just cut it now.
Christa Innis: Yeah. If
Lucette Brown: they can. It’s coming from personal, personal experience. Cut it now.
Christa Innis: Yeah. If they can’t handle watching you rise or celebrating you in certain, they’re
Lucette Brown: just gonna get worse at the wedding.
Christa Innis: Not gonna happen at the wedding. It’s just not gonna happen.
Lucette Brown: Trust me.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Oh no, I feel like you’ve got a lot of stories about that.
Lucette Brown: oh yeah. But no, this, this, it’s, Hmm. That’s, uh, that’s something that I,
Christa Innis: that’s after we record, after the recording’s off. so she said, okay. So her heard that she’s not the maid of honor. She’s having three bridesmaids and no maid of honor to keep it equal. that makes sense. It made she made it very clear.
I’m not picking you over my friends, but I’m also not picking my friends or, yeah. No one’s picking. I’m not picking anybody over anybody. Yeah. I don’t think you have to have your sister as your maid of honor. I, I have one sister, I, she was not my maid of honor, she was a bridesmaid. I’m much closer with my best friend.
Same for my husband. He had his brother in the wedding, but he was not his best man. And
Lucette Brown: yeah, the same with my husband.
Christa Innis: Yeah. No one took it personally and it’s fine.
Lucette Brown: move on.
Christa Innis: Yeah. No rule. for mine, I asked if she wanted the role and she said no. So I asked my best friend who I’m honestly closer with anyway, so there you go.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: She also won’t be at my Vegas wedding since she’s not 21 and doesn’t have the money to go. So not only that,
Lucette Brown: okay, well, yeah,
yeah, like why would you pick a Vegas wedding if, you know she can’t come anyway? Like,
Christa Innis: yeah. Which I guess I’ve never thought about that before.
I would think a Vegas wedding. As long as it’s not, they’re not drinking. Wouldn’t they be able to go, I guess I’ve never looked into that. Never been to a Vegas wedding.
Lucette Brown: I don’t know. ’cause the laws in Australia is, once you’re 18 you can drink and drive.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: You can do everything at 18. So
Christa Innis: I know the United States is weird about all that.
It’s like you can do like
Lucette Brown: 16, 21,
Christa Innis: 21. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Find you, one could also argue that. Yeah, cool. Asia 18, here’s your car keys and here’s a beer. Have fun.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Like it’s also problematic.
Christa Innis: Yeah. All at once, but all
Lucette Brown: at
Christa Innis: once. I think they’re so strict. I mean, I get on a tangent about this. I feel like they’re so strict about alcohol here.
I mean, it’s different per state. Like where I’m at. I’m trying to think what it’s, if you’re with a parent, you can drink at a, like, you can order a drink at a bar if you’re with a parent under 18. It’s very weird. But there’s like that little gray area though. If you’re 18 to 21, you can’t because you’re a legal adult, but you’re not old enough to drink.
Lucette Brown: To drink. Yeah. Yeah.
Christa Innis: So it doesn’t make sense.
Lucette Brown: Yeah. So that would be weird,
Christa Innis: but there’s all this like hype around drinking, so that’s why I think kids have like more issues with it because like they can drive at 16 and then they, like thisthing is over their head of like, Ooh, you can drink when you’re 21.
So they try to like, you know, sneak it on, all that stuff. But that’s a whole,
Lucette Brown: I feel like all 16 year olds are sneaking in alcohol.
Christa Innis: True. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: No matter the country.
Christa Innis: That’s probably right. Alright, so she ends it with, am I wrong for feeling hurt and upset? I’m honestly just leaving it alone and doing the bare minimum until she figures things out.
If she ever does,
Lucette Brown: I’m upset. I think you both just need to call it quits and just move on.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I think like if you,
Lucette Brown: I think either one of you are happy with the either like I think they’re both, yeah, I think they’re both like, oh, but she kiss’s my sister. It’s like, yeah, just make ’em your guest.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Like.
Christa Innis: It sounds like it’s so far gone. I don’t wanna say it’s far gone where they can’t fix it, but I feel like there’s a lot of like pent up anger. So if it’s like they both decide that they want to move forward, they need to hash it all out and just let everything else go.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: I don’t think either side, like you said, I don’t think either side’s innocent.
I think they both have like some toxicity. I don’t know if they grew up with like the competitive vibe, but that’s what I’m getting. just her phone though, the tone of how she talks about her sister is so degrading. Ah,
Lucette Brown: I was put off from the very get go.
I don’t like where this is going.
Christa Innis: Right. Yeah. So it’s like, I wouldn’t say like, you’re wrong for feeling hurt. Anyone can feel hurt or
Lucette Brown: no. And your feelings are your feelings and your feelings are always valid. but I wouldn’t say that she’s in the right and the other sister’s in the wrong. I would say that they’re both probably in the wrong.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I would say your sister has every right to feel upset too, and I feel like you guys need to either figure it out or just keep distance for a bit. Yeah. and just remember she’s your little sister. I mean, she’s five years younger than you. be more supportive, it sounds like.
Yeah. Not very supportive. No. and you might listen to this back and be like, well, you don’t know the whole story. Tell us more. I’ll read it. I’ll try my best. But from this, it just sounds There’s like a lack of support maybe from both sides. And I feel like when you’re too far into it of just being competitive, then nothing can really
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: You’re blind.
Lucette Brown: Oh yeah. I know. I I think if yeah, you’re that, that unhappy with someone, either hash it out because you really care about the relationship and make it work or don’t, and then see if maybe time heals it.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Lucette Brown: Because then neither one of them are gonna be happy if they keep doing what they’re doing.
Christa Innis: Yeah. 100%. Yeah. And you don’t wanna hold onto that resentment on your wedding day, either of them. So I feel like either need to figure it out before and then just really truly be supportive of them on their wedding day. And if you feel like you can’t be supportive, then step down from your role.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Thanks for coming to our TED Talk.
Wedding Speech Fails and Social Media Chaos
Christa Innis: Yes, thank you. Alright, well that was a wild story. Change of events. all right. Well. I like to end with a couple of confessions that people send me and then we will be on our way. So these are about wedding speeches. So this one says, best man was tanked and roasted the groom for 15 minutes for sucking at basketball in seventh grade.
He couldn’t get to the point,
Lucette Brown: why would you put that in a speech?
Christa Innis: Yeah, that sounds like a weird like dig at the girl.
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: oh my gosh.
Lucette Brown: It just seems like a weird thing to bring up at someone’s wedding.
Christa Innis: Yeah, I think person sometimes when people don’t know what else to say, they just think of like the most random story about the person.
yeah.
Lucette Brown: So we have had some shocking,
Christa Innis: this last one says, maid of honor said it was weird, she wasn’t there. Marrying the best man, awkward post breakup. In her speech
Lucette Brown: again. Why would you bring this up at their wedding?
Christa Innis: Yeah. Not the time or the place to turn it around and think it about you.
Lucette Brown: everyone always does though.
Not everyone, but people do. Baffles me like the day’s not about you.
Christa Innis: No. My gosh. That’s like my nightmare. All right, well thank you so much for coming on and thank you for dealing with my mom brain of like scheduling and all that and being very flexible.
Lucette Brown: Thanks for dealing with mine with responding.
Christa Innis: No, either way, I’m, glad it worked out and I’m, we gotta chat for a bit.
Lucette Brown: we got there in the end.
Christa Innis: Yeah. So again, where can everybody follow you, find your content and anything exciting you’re working on?
Lucette Brown: so on TikTok is events and affairs. YouTube is events and affairs, and I’ve just created a Facebook because everyone kept saying that my content was being shared on there anyway.
so I was like, well, I might as well share my own content.
So I’ve just created a Facebook too, which is events and affairs.
Christa Innis: Oh, good. Awesome. get that verified because there’s a lot of people out there on Facebook that like to steal and,
Lucette Brown: mm.
Christa Innis: It’s creepy. ‘ cause I’m like, that’s one thing I never expected about making content is that people would pretend to be you and Yeah.
Take your profile picture and like
Lucette Brown: Yeah.
Christa Innis: Someone messaged.
Lucette Brown: It’s weird.
Christa Innis: Yeah. And I don’t like,
Lucette Brown: and then like, I get all these like tags in like TikTok too, and like I’m blocked, but they’re pretending to be me. And like one time on TikTok, I literally like, ’cause I had all of these followers and it was all my content and they were literally pretending to be me and I kept trying to like report them.
And then I just put up like a video saying, Hey guys, like just FYI. This page isn’t me. It’s not me.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm.
Lucette Brown: I was the one that got flagged.
Christa Innis: Are you serious?
Lucette Brown: I got a strike on my account. I’m like, but I’m me. I’m me. Like, I’m me.
No it for harassment. I’m like, all I said was that. This isn’t like, literally I was, Hey guys, this isn’t me. this is a fake account. That’s if you’re following this one, it’s the wrong one. And I got a strike.
Christa Innis: That is wild. That
Lucette Brown: it’s like
Christa Innis: I made a,
Lucette Brown: so I’ve learned my lesson. Just never do it again.
Christa Innis: Just, yeah, I, I know. It’s like you just can’t even say anything because all you can do is just say like, hi, like this is my account. Like showing it. Yeah. Because I did the same thing. I just changed like my names on Facebook and other platforms and I was like, Hey guys, by the way, this is my only Facebook page.
I share this stuff. Someone reported an old work page I had, so I worked for a mommy and baby company and with that I had like a business page ’cause I would share like videos in there.
Lucette Brown: Mm.
Christa Innis: We reported that and removed the page, so I got notification. They’re like, oh, you’re Krista, MK, b page is gone.
I was like, that doesn’t even share wedding stuff. So I was someone like, oh,
Lucette Brown: okay.
Christa Innis: So I was like, okay guys, just so you know, like. Only report if they’re like pretending to be me and sharing wedding videos. don’t just,
Lucette Brown: yeah, because that, that actually was me.
Christa Innis: That was actually my page. I mean, it was an old job, so it doesn’t really matter, but I was just like, I get it.
You were trying to be like helpful, but it’s, well,
Lucette Brown: yeah.
Christa Innis: Well, awesome.
Lucette Brown: So yes.
Christa Innis: Well thank you so much for coming on and
Lucette Brown: Oh, thanks for having me.
Christa Innis: That was a lot of fun.
Lucette Brown: Thanks.
Wedding Nightmare, Bridesmaid Burnout & Hot Takes With Lisandra Vazquez
My new book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story is live!
Ever felt like saying no to being a bridesmaid? Lisandra Vazquez spills the raw truth about why she’s done with being in wedding parties… forever.
From destination weddings she never even made it to, to the awkward aftermath when friends cut ties, Lisandra and Christa unpack the messy side of adult friendships, money guilt, and wedding obligations no one talks about.
If you’ve ever felt pressured to go broke for someone else’s big day, grab your headphones. You’re not alone and this episode is your permission slip to protect your peace.
Join me on Patreon and get bonus content every month!
Episode Chapter Markers
00:00 Introduction
03:38 Navigating the Content Creation World
08:01 Astrology and Personal Insights
11:28 Hot Takes and Personal Opinions
17:59 Rapid Fire Wedding Scenarios
20:21 Mother-in-Law Drama Unfolds
27:45 Cutting Guests for Extra Invites
27:59 Questioning the Bride’s Age and Maturity
28:57 Mother-in-Law’s Abusive Behavior
29:14 Cultural and Religious Expectations
30:39 Sabotaging the Wedding Rehearsal
31:08 Mother-in-Law’s Cold Behavior on Wedding Day
37:11 Counseling and Setting Boundaries
40:14 Confessions from Social Media
40:25 Bachelorette Party Expectations
44:19 Family Dynamics and Boundaries
Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments
- Why Bridesmaids Aren’t Worth It After 30 – Lisandra explains why mature friendships shouldn’t hinge on expensive bridal obligations.
- When Destination Weddings Become Too Much – The shocking story of how a canceled flight ended a friendship for good.
- People-Pleasing Vs. Boundaries – Christa and Lisandra talk people-pleasing, saying no, and being okay with losing friends over it.
- Bridal Labor Or Emotional Support? – How some bridesmaids feel more like unpaid labor than guests.
- Hot Takes On Outdated Traditions – Garter tosses, group chats, and destination showers—Lisandra says what we’re all thinking.
- Real Talk: It’s Okay To Walk Away – How standing up for your time, money, and sanity saves friendships worth keeping.
- Comedy, Culture & Creative Hustle – Lisandra shares her creative journey from acting to stand-up and finding her voice online.
- Permission To Protect Your Peace – Christa and Lisandra wrap with empowering advice for anyone feeling stuck in wedding guilt.
Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode
- “Sometimes the trash takes itself out—no RSVP needed.” – Christa Innis
- “I love being a bridesmaid… but I’m done. My thirties changed everything.” – Christa Innis
- “There’s no friendship worth going broke for.” – Christa Innis
- “People hear ‘party plan by Christa’ and think it’s just weddings—but it’s so much deeper.” – Christa Innis
- “It’s your wedding, not your bridal party’s unpaid labor camp.” – Christa Innis
- “If you really love your friends, don’t ask them to be bridesmaids.” – Lisandra Vazquez
- “Sometimes a bridesmaid dress costs more than my rent—I’m not doing that again.” – Lisandra Vazquez
- “This too shall pass, good or bad. It keeps me grateful and sane.” – Lisandra Vazquez
- “Hot girls are gonna do hot girl stuff—get over it!” – Lisandra Vazquez
- “At this point in my life, it’s a no for me, dog.” – Lisandra Vazquez
About Lisandra
Lisandra is a Puerto Rican-born, Atlanta-based stand up comedian, actor, activist, and creator. With a background in acting and improv, Lisandra’s high-energy yet dry storytelling point of view is based on her experiences as a Latina millennial, her take on pop culture, politics, and more. She is a regular at the Laughing Skull Lounge and has performed all over the country.
She has opened for Aida Rodriguez, Dulcé Sloan, Lace Larrabee, and other touring comics.
She has worked with organizations like Climate Power, Generation180, GasLeaks, and more.
Follow Lisandra Vazquez
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- Website
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A Team Dklutr Production
Blog Transcript:
Note: We use AI transcription so there may be some inaccuracies
Christa Innis: Hi Lisandra, thank you so much. Hi. Thank you so much for having me. I am so excited to talk to you. I think you’re hilarious. First of all, I love your content and I was just thrilled when you said you would come on. ’cause I was like, I feel like we could have a lot of fun. You are. Have fun. Yeah. before we get started, can you just tell everyone a little bit about yourself? and I feel like there’s just so much to know. I know you’re a comedian, you’re, hilarious. So a little more about that.
Lisandra Vasquez: I’m from Puerto Rico. I was born there, lived there till I was eight, and then we moved from there to Ohio of all places. and we bopped around a little bit. Lived there for five years in Florida.
I lived in LA for a while and now I’m in Atlanta. So that’s like the shortest version of it all. I’ve been working as like an artist and performer like, I knew I wanted to perform. be an actor and stuff like that when I was like straight out of, well, and even in high school when I was a kid.
But you don’t do that in our culture. You just kind of get a job and like, you find, like my mom’s a doctor. like, they grew up poor. a lot of immigrant families will do that where you, like a creative job isn’t a real job. Mm-hmm. And so, but I’m like, I just always kinda had a sense that like, well, I’m still gonna do what I wanna do.
but you know, so I’ve, been working in the creative world for a really long time in different aspects of it. I’ve done everything. I’ve worked in front of the camera, behind the camera. I’ve assisted people and especially in LA like I have a degree in art ‘ cause I went back to school.
From Puerto Rico to Stand-Up Stages
And uh, ’cause I quit school when, in Florida, when I was like almost done, because I got, I booked a movie. And I was like, well, I don’t need this anymore. Yes. See you suckers. I had like, I had like one year left too. It was like, oh my God, I had enough, enough credit. but I was like, well, for me, I was like, school’s always gonna be there.
Yeah. I don’t wanna be here Anyway, so I was like, bye. I got my SAG card and then I moved with my boyfriend at the time and a couple friends to LA and then I did end up going back to school ’cause my agent kept telling me I was fat. Um, Oh my gosh. It was a different, it was a different time.
but it turned out to be, I mean, in hindsight everything always turns out to be a blessing. Right? Right. but because I went to a school that was really well suited for me, Cal Arts, and I was supposed to be there I got in as a transfer student ‘ cause I had credits from before.
A very hard school to get into. But I got in they wanted me to be there for three years. because that’s how long they require somebody to be there, to get a degree from them. I ended up only doing two years there because I applied for grade level adjustments.
And so it was really, I worked my butt off to earn those. But I did graduate in two years. and then from there I worked as a photographer. and then I didn’t get back until like, performing until 2019.
and then started getting to stand up and now, I was created content for other people for a long time.
I don’t know if you’ve ’cause like I think a lot of us start, the content game by where you can start making money immediately in the content creation world. And because I’m like, I know I’m good at it, but it’s by having somebody else pay you mm-hmm. To do their content for them. Mm-hmm. So I was doing, during the pandemic, I focus a lot on like creating like.
that content that I can make content so then I could get hired. And then as soon as I got filled my books up, I stopped doing that. I stopped advertising that. Yeah. And then I worked, for other people for a long time, making content, making memes and stuff like that. but eventually that just like during my soul, cause I was always doing standup and all my stuff on the side, but there I wasn’t able to give it enough Right.
Use, if you will. I had been posting comedy stuff on my own TikTok for a while, but then around the time of the election and I was always kind of hesitant to talk about my political beliefs. Mm-hmm. And, Especially with like women in comedy.
Like people are like, oh, don’t talk about that. Just talk about X, Y, or Z. Yeah. But then the moment that I started talking about it and actually just being honest and just being more authentic to who I am and what I would talk to you about in person and what people know me as, that started resonating with people online.
And then I just started, it just gave me more and more permission to be more myself. Mm-hmm. And thank God, like for the platforms that we have that are able to like connect us with the people that appreciate mm-hmm. our voice. Yeah. and so I feel eternally grateful to that. And so it’s like, it’s been encouraging to get a, positive response to the weird way that my brain works.
so long story, but that’s kind of like the long and the short of like how one gets from like. There’s no direct, path Yes. To something to get to anywhere where we are in life. Especially when you’re not like a pharmacist, you know what I mean? Where there’s like, okay, I went to school, I did this and that.
There’s, some career path, right? Going up the ladder, some career paths that are far more simple than the ones that just are unique. So that’s, it’s hard to describe how one gets to a path to especially, you know, like we all have different stories, but it’s all there.
Christa Innis: Yes. No, but I love the story of like, the journey of like how you get to a certain place, because it’s always kind of like you set out, like for this path and you do, your steps and it never works out that way. It’s like this opportunity comes up and then you’re like in a slump for a little bit and then you kind of move around.
You’re just kinda like. We’ll see what happens.
Celebrate Wins or Risk Losing Them
Lisandra Vasquez: Yeah. and like the, I was just thinking about this today because like, this has the, my been, always been, my mantra is that this too shall pass. Mm-hmm. Because, and I mean that with the good things and the bad things. Yeah.
So every time it, really helps me fit in the gratitude when things are good. Mm-hmm. And also know that the bad things are gonna go, this will pass, this will pass, this will pass. I know because like, I had a really bad year one, like two years ago. It was so bad. And then things started getting better.
And today I had like, I’m having this call with you. I was talking with my manager, I have a manager now. and then I was on the phone with, I don’t know how much I can say, but it’s like a, group, for a representative that I’m helping craft a bill. That’s amazing.
Right. And so what, that’s insane. Mm-hmm. Right. I’m so grateful for these opportunities that I’ve been, because I opened my big mouth. and I’ve said it in a way that resonates. Now I’m able to advocate for people like me. Mm-hmm. Make a change. Make a change, and actually getting these conversations and talk about, hey, the problems that I face, the things that I, in, like in our generation that we haven’t been, that we’ve kind of been duped on.
Like the, just the ability to be able to speak to my experience that’s different from the people that have come before. and I don’t take that for granted at all. So today I was like, oh my God, this is amazing, but also this too shall pass. Yes. Like, so I need to, to be really grateful of this moment and really like, celebrate it.
Christa Innis: No, I love that you said that because I feel like I’m so quick to like be onto the next thing. And I dunno if it’s that like creative mindset, do you get it? Like it’s just like you’re like trying to always go to the next thing. And even my like husband will be like sit down and like relax and I’m like, I have to do that next thing.
Like I don’t know where that comes from, but it’s like it’s true. It’s like this whole past, like, can we absorb it? Your sign, sorry, what’d you say?
Lisandra Vasquez: Your sign. Virgo, your astro. See my dog. My Clark. I’m a Virgo too.
Christa Innis: Are you? Oh my God. Virgo. We could make this a astrology podcast episode because I freaking love talking about astrology.
When’s your birthday? August 28th.
Lisandra Vasquez: August 20. I’m the 23rd. I’m like zero degrees Virgo Miash. No ma’am. she wants to talk astrology. well see, she’s a Sagittarius, so she’s a free spirit. that’s my moon sign. That’s my moon as well. yeah, I have Virgo Sun, Virgo Rising Sag Moon.
Christa Innis: I am a Libra rising. So that’s the people pleaser. People
Lisandra Vasquez: pleaser in you. And I’m just still
Christa Innis: see, and I, always like attach myself to people that are like, I dunno what sign it would be, but like the more like rugged, like they tell it like it is because I’m like, I aspire to be that. But I like, I still am like, Hey, do you like me?
Okay. Please love me. Yeah. But yeah. Okay. So it’s that Virgo thing, like the perfectionist, like always striving to the next thing. And I don’t think I discovered that though until like I was definitely not like that in school. ‘ cause I was not like, let we get all A’s. I was not like that. But I always wanted to try things.
Yeah. I think
Lisandra Vasquez: that for. I wasn’t necessarily that way either in school where I wasn’t like, oh, I need to get a straight A. But I do feel like, and my, siblings, I have five siblings, I have two half siblings, but then, my two siblings that grew up in the house with me, were all Virgos. Oh my gosh.
and my mom’s a Virgo too, so I think I know what a crazy thing. but I think what we all have is a really good compass and a like, a drive that I don’t see in everybody. And it’s just likea self-determination that people are like, why do you, why are you so like, I don’t know.
We just have like a, our own standard. I see that a lot in Beyonce. that’s who I, every time I see Beyonce, I’m just like, girl, you’re just like me. Except for your game. Yes. Oh my God. Your fiance. but you know.
Christa Innis: Yes. Oh my gosh. I feel like I’m like meeting a soul sister. I feel like it’s so hard to explain to my husband and I’m like, no, like you don’t understand.
Like, I need it this way and I need to do the next thing, but I’m gonna remember that, that this cell too shall pass in good moments because I don’t take the time to absorb it. And especially like the industry now, that we’re, kind of, I don’t really know how it works. Like we’re all both on social media, but it’s different kind of industries, I guess.
But it’s like the industry, it’s like it moves fast. It’s like all of a sudden this opportunity can come and it can go. so it’s like everything you have to like absorb those good moments. And I feel like I’m so quick to be like, all right, cool. That was great. I gotta keep going though. And I don’t stop to be like, this is awesome.
Lisandra Vasquez: Cool. Yeah.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: So, yeah, because the wins we really do have to learn to celebrate them because if not, then like, I don’t know how woowoo you are, but sometimes I do feel like if we don’t celebrate those wins, then it’s not like, well, in my, because then they don’t wanna keep coming as much.
It’s like with, manifest, uh, I Sure. Levels of manifest. Oh, that’s funny. it’s like when I’m on stage, I do standup comedy. So for me, it’s the same way as training, like the universe. It’s, you’re training an audience not to laugh. If you continue to step on the laugh and you don’t let them continue.
If you don’t let them enjoy the moment. And if you don’t stop, they’ll train themselves to not laugh at you, even though they’re enjoying it. they’ll be like, huh, so then they can listen to what you’re gonna say. Mm-hmm. So that’s how I feel that’s how I’m like, okay, I have to, I can’t step on the universe.
I have to enjoy the moment
Christa Innis: I love that. That’s such a good mantra. And like showing gratitude back. I feel like Yeah, no, I’m, I’m super woowoo. I mean, I shouldn’t say super ’cause they’re super woowoo, but I’m woowoo. But you know, like the right kind of woo. I would like to make, no, I love that.
That that’s a great way to start this episode. I feel like. so I always like to start off with like crazy stories or hot takes. You have a hot take and I feel like we should just like, dive into it.
Bridesmaid Hot Takes & Wedding Party Regrets
Lisandra Vasquez: I think that if you’re really good friends with somebody, you should not ask them to be a bridesmaid. If you actually like your friends bridesmaid, you shouldn’t know, you’re in your thirties especially.
Christa Innis: No, no,
okay. How many times have you been a bridesmaid and how, what was the worst one? If you wanna share or what was like the worst part about being a bridesmaid
Lisandra Vasquez: to you?
The worst part of being a bridesmaid, I’ve been a bridesmaid. Enough times that I have forgotten how many weddings have been. they’ve gotten less in my thirties. But I will say that the worst part of being in asked to be in a wedding is the having the obligations, the financial obligations, and the having to deal with people that are making different decisions than necessarily that I would make.
So like one of the last, like being involved in the group chat. Ugh. The group chat. The group chat. The last, the last wedding that I was asked to be in was a destination wedding, and it was gonna be very expensive mm-hmm. For me to get there. And it was gonna be very hard. and like I could only afford to go for so many days, and then we ended up, actually, I was at the airport with all my stuff and then my flight got canceled.
And then in order to rebook it, because I had to go to another country and then hop a little plane, I would’ve gotten there the day of the ceremony and then had to head back the next day.
Christa Innis: No.
Lisandra Vasquez: I just didn’t go.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: And I felt really bad and then now the bride doesn’t talk to me anymore. but I’m like, listen, you know what
Christa Innis: well, it was kind of not calling your friend.
Well, ex-friend trash, but the trash takes itself out sometimes. or maybe it just wasn’t meant to be,
Lisandra Vasquez: and the thing is, I’ve thought about reaching out to her too, but I just also don’t feel like the connection was strong enough between us to really like, go beyond that.
Because I also feel like sometimes with, When you ask somebody to be a bridesmaid, it’s kind of a transaction and you’re asking a lot of that person, not only financially but like emotionally and for them to just be there for you. And there’s a lot of things that you, people require depending on the thing.
But I’ve had people be like, okay, well the expectation was that I showed up there helped with labor of like putting things together and this and that and that. And I’m like, so then you’re required to go and add labor. And sometimes that’s fine and cool, but then other times it’s like, Hey, I’m also like taking time off work, investing money into this and I also would like to be able to relax and enjoy this.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: But, and I understand that for some people we are happy to do that for them. Yes. Like my sister. Yeah. Absolutely. 100%. But I think that the expectation of like, if you’re over 30, there’s people that have jobs, lives, limited budget things that they’re all sa We’re all at this point sacrificing a lot of things to be able to make it here.
And like we all have such and speak for everybody, but limited budgets of time and money to be able to get to these things and to just, unless I will not be in another, I will not accept being in another wedding unless I know I’m just showing up and I’m gonna be there and I’m gonna be able to support.
I’m gonna do that. But yeah, I just never, I’ve seen weddings where people just ask their friends to wear certain colors so that they can be in the pictures. And that’s the vibe.
Christa Innis: Yeah. That’s what you’re into.
Lisandra Vasquez: Oh, that’s really a friend. Yeah. Because you’re like, oh, I’m not asking you to plan some sort of a crazy vacation.
‘ cause then there’s like the financial aspect of planning the, bridal shower, the bachelorette party. Yeah, usually. And then, that’s so much money for your decisions.
Christa Innis: Yeah. see, and maybe this is my Libra coming out, you know, we’re talking about Libra people pleaser. I love being a bridesmaid.
However, not anymore. I think I’m done. Like I’ve been in my fair share. I’m well into my thirties now. I don’t foresee anyone else asking me. And if they wanted to, I’d probably be like, I’ll just come as a guest at this point. I had no business, like in my early twenties, being in those weddings, spending that kind of money, no business.
I know you feel guilty saying no, and you’re like, you know, and I was that friend that was like, what do you need help with? Sure. I don’t have a life outside of this. And I would be there for bridal showers. Like I would be paying for like food, you know, like all that stuff. And it’s like, looking back, I’m like, I barely could afford, like, I didn’t even, I still lived with my parents at some of the times.
I still, you know, it was rough,
Lisandra Vasquez: it was bad. And I’m just like. Oh, I’m sacrificing one of them. Yeah. It just like, there’s so much sacrifice, there’s so much time and often it is to fulfill a quota for the bride, for the sides and the pictures and stuff like that. And sometimes it isn’t, but sometimes it is. And you should really think long and hard before you ask people to be bridesmaids. That’s what I’m saying. Yeah. Especially if you’re not 20 in your twenties.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: Because I’ve seen my people in their twenties feel like they have like a lot of really close friends and they all wanna do that. But everybody in their thirties I feel like has lives.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I was just saying to someone, I’m like, thank God I waited till my thirties to get married. ’cause I feel like if I got married in my twenties, it’d be so different.
Like everyone’s your friend. And I probably, I think we would’ve had double the amount of people. But like when I got married, the only time, I was like, we weren’t into like the pleasing everybody. We were like, we’re making a cut here. This is what we want.
and I would like to think I was an okay bride to work with, like for all my bridesmaids, I was like, if you don’t wanna come, it’s fine. Like, not to the wedding, but I was like, Hey, if you can’t make the shower, if you can’t make the bachelorette par, I don’t, it’s fine. I won’t hit you.
Come wearing white to my wedding. I literally would not care about that stuff. But I’ve definitely have been asked to be a bridesmaid before where I’m like, oh, they want my help they want me to like get crafty and do stuff for the wedding. then you feel
Lisandra Vasquez: used
Christa Innis: after it and you’re like, oh, they don’t even like wanna, like, they don’t even want my friendship.
They just wanted me as a helper and that I don’t like, yeah,
Lisandra Vasquez: the labor. And so that’s where I’m just like. again, not all bridesmaid situations are created equal, but for the most part it’s a no for me dog. No, I’m not interested. And I also don’t think that you should ask that of people.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I love that hot take because that
Lisandra Vasquez: this economy
Christa Innis: ugh, not in this.
Yes. Oh my gosh. That’s funny. Okay, so I thought before we read the crazy story today, we could do a little rapid fire. So I’m just gonna read two things that like could happen at a wedding or something, and you just pick, pick which one you’d rather. Okay. Here we go. We’re doing something new. We’ve never done this before.
Okay. Caught making out with a groomsman or caught texting your ex on the wedding day.
Lisandra Vasquez: I’d
Christa Innis: rather
Lisandra Vasquez: make out with a groomsman. Yeah.
Christa Innis: Your partner wore a ring from their ex’s proposal, or they forgot to get you a ring at all.
Lisandra Vasquez: When they proposed to me, they forgot to get me a ring in this hypothetical scenario, apparently. I’d rather them forget to get me a ring than to have something from their ex.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: but also like, maybe you should rethink marrying this person. I forgot to get you a fucking ring. Unless they were like really in the moment they asked and they’re like, I don’t even have a ring.
I just wanna ask Right.
Christa Innis: Like a little Yeah. Like a movie where that’s just like right now I have to ask, here’s a little piece of string. Yes. Yeah. Let me tie around your finger. Okay. Hot. Best man with bad intentions or awkward. Best man with a heart of gold.
Lisandra Vasquez: at this point, a heart of gold man.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Wild Bachelor party with photos leaked or steamy.
Dms from a guest. Steamy dms caught hooking up at someone else’s wedding or caught talking trash about the bride. Oh, hooking up. your ex crashes the wedding or gives an emotional
Lisandra Vasquez: toast that I would give an emotional toast, I think, or that he does. That’s a weird one.
you give an emotional toast. Oh, I’d rather give an emotional toast. Keep him far away.
Christa Innis: Okay, last one. A sexy first dance or a full on magic mike Style Groomsman performance.
Lisandra Vasquez: Oh, they’re both cringe ew. I guess I’d rather the magic mike thing because it could be funny. than like doing a sexy dance in front of my family. That’s weird. That’s weird. Well, speaking of
Christa Innis: what
Lisandra Vasquez: are your
Christa Innis: thoughts on the garter toss?
Lisandra Vasquez: No, what are we doing?
that. I
Christa Innis: don’t, that is one of my, like, strong, I don’t even know if it’s a hot take anymore because I see, I do like a confession thing every week. Every week. everyone, I would say more people than not say like, no garter toss. Like, that’s so cringey, so weird. I’m happy to see it’s going away.
Lisandra Vasquez: Yeah. it’s
Christa Innis: why I just, why would you want your husband putting his head up your dress during your wedding? I just don’t understand that. No. All right. We’ve got a doozy for this week, so let me just get into it. feel free to stop me as I read, or we can react at the end,
Red Flags & A Missing Dinner Plate
All right. Here we go. Says Mother-in-law Drama. Made my wedding a nightmare. Basically a book, sorry. Okay, my now husband, let’s call him. Matt and I met during the pandemic once it was safe to go out to restaurants and such, and we quickly fell in love because his family cares for two elderly grandmothers.
They had very strict rules about socializing during that time. I had no problem with that, and Matt and I were careful to follow their guidelines. That meant I didn’t get to know his family that well, that’s how I initially explained. away all the red flags that his mom disliked me. I told myself, maybe she doesn’t hate me.
It’s just awkward because we haven’t spent that much time together. Spoil alert. I was wrong because my family was lower risk. Matt spent more time with my family and they immediately clicked. So some dating red flags from his mom. She constantly trashed the denomination of churches Matt and I attended, and that my dad’s pastor, is a pastor for even after I acknowledged her bad experience and tried to empathize at Matt’s dinner, she set the table for everyone but me.
I got to stand in the kitchen.
Okay. When I read something like that, I’m like, was he like, let me put a plate for you, he just let her stand in the kitchen because that’s a red flag on him. Well, both of ’em. Yeah. Oh, no. What? She interrupted me every time I spoke and redirected the conversation, that would get really under my skin.
Lisandra Vasquez: You, what was she, Latina?
Christa Innis: I don’t have those details yet. she raved about Matt’s exes and their amazing relationships with his younger sisters and how much she missed them, how many exes. And she, this apparently they’re all just so great. But her, she refused to attend the church service where Matt and I officially joined, I’m guessing for marriage, because she was Matt, he left theirs
Context for later in October, 2021. My dad nearly died of COVID. The doctors were shocked. He survived once home, he had to stay plugged into a wall oxygen machine. Oh my gosh, that’s terrible. due to a shortage of portable tanks, he only had enough for necessary doctor visits. November, 2021, Matt proposed it was beautiful and surprised me during my family’s Thanksgiving dinner.
We were so happy we looked at rings together so it wasn’t outta the blue, but it was still magical. We decided on a shorter engagement and set the date for April, 2022. It was going to be a low key small town wedding. We mostly planned ourselves. We knew the quick timeline might keep some people from attending, but we were ready to be married.
We invited his family to my parents’ house to talk about wedding vision, financial contributions, dress shopping dates, et cetera. But we couldn’t go to their house. It’s 90 minutes away, and my dad couldn’t travel. They refused to come to us because they didn’t wanna hire a babysitter for their 14-year-old twins.
Both grandmothers lived nearby. They wouldn’t bring the girls either. It was either we had to go to them or it didn’t happen. Eventually we got them to agree to a zoom call. That point you can just tell, like someone like that does not wanna be involved. And it’s like why that it’s deliberate.
Yes. They’re gonna purposely put every kind of blockade for it to not happen.
Lisandra Vasquez: Like the person that’s being awful to you because they want you to break up with them.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm. Yep. It’s that, like passive aggressive, like Oh yeah. Yeah. The Zoom came. Neither parents said much. His mom was on her phone the entire time.
My parents gushed about Matt and said how thrilled they were to welcome him, his parents. Yeah, he’s great. Nothing about me joining the family. I don’t even know how people like this deal with in-laws like that, so I would just, I have
Lisandra Vasquez: opinions. I think that he sucks the dude that she’s marrying because like I would’ve had if he hadn’t stood up.
Like, no, like, I would see that as a huge red flag on his behalf that he’s not, I least at this point, making it clear that there is a separation between how, like, because she hasn’t gotten there yet. So I don’t know if she’s gonna include this, but I would be, why aren’t you taking care of this?
Like why aren’t you taking care of this information? This is like you and your mom. Your mom is literally mistreating me.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: just letting it out like in front of
Christa Innis: your face. Cutting me out. Yeah. Like at that point it’s like I would be, yeah, you’re right. I’d be more mad at him ’cause I’m like, this is your family.
Lisandra Vasquez: speak up dude. Mm-hmm. That’s not okay to treat anybody’s because like he’s treating her like that. But he could treat, I mean anybody like that, that’s messed up.
Christa Innis: Yeah. And the way she wrote about the standing in the kitchen, it literally sounds like she was just standing in the kitchen while they all ate for his dinner.
Passive-Aggressive Wedding Planning
And I’m like, that would never be okay. Oh, literally. so she said, but hey, zoom is awkward. So maybe that was why my parents offered to pay for most things. His parents said they’d cover Matt’s tux, a groom’s cake, and the alcohol. Matt and I reiterated that we were planning a small, simple wedding.
They said It’s fine. It was painfully awkward. Everyone was relieved when the call ended, I felt weird about my relationship with his mom. But I still tried to include her. I invited her dress shopping. See, there’s so many super nice brides I read about, and they like have this like issue with, you know, they have a, bad relationship with the mother-in-law and they still invite them dress shopping.
I’m like, that’s like a vulnerable moment to be changing in front of someone or showing something. Like, why would you want someone like that there? It’s an olive branch.
Lisandra Vasquez: I get it. But like,
Christa Innis: God, yeah, it’s harder when you’re in it. Yeah. Of budget constraints. I wanted to shop before Christmas to avoid price hikes.
I sent her a couple of dates and she declined both. There we go. One without explanation the other, because she was making Christmas cookies.
Lisandra Vasquez: Oh, no. But you know, it’s creepy. the timeline for those
Christa Innis: So busy. Yeah. Has to be this day I’m really busy. Oh my gosh. so I went with my mom and sister and found my dress.
I’d asked Matt’s sisters to be junior bridesmaids and invited them to the shop too. His mom said to just send them the link for the dress I wanted. I did. And she complained about the hem line and designer, but insisted she’d fix it for them after delivery. When the dresses arrived, she wouldn’t show them to me until after alterations.
I pushed and thank goodness I did. she pinned the hem up four inches too high. She was annoyed but adjusted them. they finally looked correct on the wedding day. Then here’s a not so brief list of other chaos that she had caused during planning the wedding. Okay. Bridal shower takeover.
She offered to host. I thought it was a peace offering. made it a couple’s shower. So Matt had to attend. Introduced everyone, including Matt’s best friend who couldn’t come, but not me, to her friends and family who I had never met. Oh my gosh. Guest list battle. We wanted to cap the wedding at 100 guest total.
She alone wanted to invite 100. I hadn’t shared my severe anxiety disorder because I didn’t trust her, but finally told them the cap was for my mental health. She looked me dead in the eye and said, I have anxiety too. It’ll be fine.
That’s that like older generation that’s like we all had anxiety and we just, had to do, we had to carry on with our lives like.
Lisandra Vasquez: yeah. that’s like my mom being like, Liandra, no, you’re not depressed. You’re just be happy. Okay. Like, okay. Okay. Fracture on the switch. Yeah, like, don’t cry.
Just change. Change it. Like, okay, open the window. Go out in the sun. Oh, yeah. No, that’s crazy. I hadn’t thought about that. I hadn’t thought about just being happy. Yeah. Thank you. Really. Thank you for that. I have anxiety too. You’ll be fine. That’s crazy.
Christa Innis: Later she told people I faked mental illness to get my way.
We ended up cutting guests from my side so they could invite extras. This, I would be really, I
Lisandra Vasquez: hate this woman.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I would be really second guessing the whole wedding.
Lisandra Vasquez: How old did she say how old she is? Because she sounds young. I know
Christa Innis: it was a really quick engagement,
Lisandra Vasquez: but still she sounds like she’s young.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: she sounds like she’s in her twenties at least, because I feel like, I wouldn’t put up with that, but I might have put up with it earlier in my life. Yeah. I could see a time where I would be like, in my very early twenties, I dated a guy for four years and I could see if his mom didn’t like me, I would still try to be like, all right, this is the right thing I need to do.
I still need to try to invite her. I still need to try to do this. And then I’d be mad at him, but I wouldn’t have the communication skills and be like, confidence to be able to be like, fix your mother.
Christa Innis: Yeah. But I would now. Right. and at that awkward time of like, you’re like becoming an adult, so you’re kind of like still that like kid respect your elders.
I feel like I was like that in my early twenties too.
Lisandra Vasquez: So I just feel like the, I’m reading it as she’s younger because she’s not standing up for herself in the way that I think that, somebody in her later in life would.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm.
Lisandra Vasquez: Yeah. I think so. What she’s going through is it’s abusive.
Like that’s not the woman is walking all over her ’cause she doesn’t respect her.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm. Yeah. She’s thinking she’s not like, good enough for her son, or it’s the kind of person she’s like putting her son on a pedestal saying like, he deserves the best and you’re not, it, that’s,
Lisandra Vasquez: that’s why I asked if he’s Latino.
That’s what Latino parents do. Treat their firstborn son as the gold standard. Really. Yeah. Yeah. But also it’s also curious that they’re not Jewish. ’cause that’s what Jewish mothers do as well. Mm-hmm. And then they get mad. I mean, it’s also different kinds of, Christian religions that where they, really covet like the sun.
That’s very, and they’re very, particular about their, flavor of Christianity.
Christa Innis: Yeah, that’s what I kind of got by the denomination thing. So if she is like very in her or EPIs, you don’t wanna be an
Lisandra Vasquez: Episcopalian anymore. Lutheran’s not even a thing. Mm-hmm. Like, yeah. Isn’t it all Christian? I mean, listen guys, come on.
but yeah, so it seems like an uppity.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Like she, it’s almost like she heard the denomination and immediately from that point was like, Nope. And then just like discounted anything else she said or something like that. It’s like when they a chance.
Lisandra Vasquez: Yeah. It’s like if somebody, They’re a Republican.
Oh. Or like, oh, she’s a liberal. Cool. I guess she doesn’t care about babies or something like that. I dunno. Yes. Um, but you can make, judgements for sure. That’s crazy, huh? What else did she do? She goes, so she like, we have this
Christa Innis: There’s a lot. So it says, gossiping behind my back. She told Matt’s friends, I was excluding her from planning.
She never answered my texts about it. Jokes on her. Two of those friends are close with me and they spilled everything. Sabotaging the rehearsal. She told the wedding party I was overbearing for asking them to arrive 30 minutes early said it was okay to come late because we’d start late anyway. Then she gave them the wrong wedding day timeline.
If I hadn’t sent backup info, they would’ve missed photos. refused to help set up. She got mad that Matt helped set up the reception. She wanted him at their hotel to hang out. They wouldn’t help at all because that’s the bride’s family’s job. Okay. Cold as ice in the getting ready room. She ignored me the whole time.
Didn’t acknowledge me when I walked in wearing my white dress, even though everyone else was emotional and excited, I’d be like, you can leave. Yay.
Lisandra Vasquez: Yeah. On her wedding day. This is bad. This
Christa Innis: is
Lisandra Vasquez: bad.
Christa Innis: Yeah. when I do like crazy skits and stuff, people are like, oh, this is so dramatic. That would never happen.
And I’m like, no, there’s people saying, it literally happens to them.
Lisandra Vasquez: when I was, in LA I used to do a wedding sometimes as a second shooter, so I’d get, The first shooter that I worked with would always be with the bride, and then I’d go with the groomsmen to get the second dairy portraits.
You see some drama, but not this is crazy. Yeah, nothing. This is insane. But I mean, I guess I would have to be privy to all the other information, but you can pick up the vibes.
Christa Innis: Oh yeah. I bet you can like tell like right away with a wedding if like someone’s not meshing Well,
Lisandra Vasquez: if the mother the, if the mother of the groom was like to the bride, I’d pick up on that and be like popcorn in my hand, as I’m all the tea.
Yes. No, that’s insane. Yeah. But they got married. How awkward. Yeah, they got married. It’s her mother-in-law.
Christa Innis: I know she’s gonna deal with that the rest of her life. Oh, however long she can put up with it for, because at some point they either have to cut her off the mother-in-law or they’re gonna break.
Because someone like that infiltrating, like if they decide to like move or have kids or whatever they do in their life, she’s gonna be family. When a family member
Lisandra Vasquez: chooses their spouse and the spouse doesn’t get along with the family, someone’s gotta go. Mm-hmm. Usually people will choose their spouse.
You would hope, you hope. Well, usually people would choose their spouse. but sometimes they don’t.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: Especially not a weak ass mama’s boy. Like this guy seems, wow, he sucks.
Christa Innis: I’m like not hearing anything about him. So I’m really, I like wanna reach out and be like, yeah,
Lisandra Vasquez: he is. Yeah. Like, first of all, I need to know, I have so many follow up questions about him.
Like, I need to know if he’s an only child. he definitely seems like he’s the only boy. Mm-hmm. He’s the golden, um, he, if he’s an only child, I guess it would make sense as to why the mom’s so obsessed.
Christa Innis: But it’s weird. It’s that crazy boy mom thing.
It’s like their first love and you know, like they’ll think the trend. I was like on TikTok and it’s like, no, like you’re not doing what you think you’re doing right now. It’s
Lisandra Vasquez: now’s giving weird
Christa Innis: stop. That’s no, don’t you want them to grow up and find someone or like be happy on their own, not like rely on you the rest of their lives.
Lisandra Vasquez: No,
Christa Innis: I want him to. No. Okay. That’s weird. That’s weird. Or do they mention a father? Either? oh, they said parents, they did say his parents
Lisandra Vasquez: when they had the zoom call. Yes. That the parents, so I think the mom’s just a piece of work and she probably has nothing else going on.
Christa Innis: And the dad’s probably just very passive. ’cause over the years she’s been like manipulative like this. And.
Lisandra Vasquez: Yeah. Gerard Carmichael has a, bit right now that I just saw that, like your mom, that he says like that everyone’s mom is crazy. No, but like, it doesn’t matter. Like everyone’s mom is a different kind of crazy, but everyone’s mom gets crazy at a certain point and like the group chat is weird, with the mom and the siblings, and then the dad starts talking less and less.
I feel like that’s what’s happening here. Mm-hmm. Like the mom got crazy.
and the dad probably is just letting it happen and just saying like three words.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: About, because he’s just like, disassociating.
Last Straw & A Weird Hot Tub
Christa Innis: Yeah. He’s like, I’m not gonna get involved. She’s gonna do her thing i’s how.
Yeah. It’s just coexist. Yeah. All right. There’s a couple more things that she didn’t. Oh my God. Uh, tried to sneak in an unapproved photographer despite multiple conversations. She tried to bring in her amateur photographer front to shoot the ceremony when my dad politely told him he could take pictures after the ceremony.
And at the reception, she later told people, my dad screamed at him in the church victim mode. All those, that’s like,that typical person, like she’s gonna be the victim mode, but she
Lisandra Vasquez: has to be Latina. That woman has to be, if she’s not, I’d be so surprised. I know his name is Matt, which is giving white, but.
It might be a white dad. the name’s been changed, so, okay. Okay. Okay. Yeah. So it could
Christa Innis: be, but I mean, I’ve, there’s a lot of crazy white ladies out there that act like this too. I know,
Lisandra Vasquez: I know. But dang it, that’s not exactly someone that I’m related to.
Christa Innis: Yeah. left the reception early to use the hot tub.
Then told our friends she was having more fun in the hot tub than at our wedding. Tried to get them to agree. They didn’t. She was upset when we didn’t join on our wedding night. Oh, you wanna go in the hot tub with your son and his wife on their wedding night? That’s disgusting. This woman is weird. Weird insulted a precious full photo.
When we got our professional photos back, she saw a shot of my dad’s hand on my back during their father-daughter dance said it looked very creepy. That dance meant the world to me. We didn’t think he’d lived to be there. When we said the comment was hurtful, she doubled down. You’re too sensitive.
What? That would be it for me. Like, one after the other. Like why is she still in their life,
Lisandra Vasquez: dude, the fact that they’re still trying to please, I’m even more angry at the husband every time that there’s an interaction and she disrespects the wife. I’m even more mad Yeah. At the husband for not stepping in during this whole thing.
Christa Innis: So here’s a slight follow up at the end here. It says, Matt and I had to go to counseling specifically to learn how to handle her. Thankfully he’s now fully on my side, so I don’t know where he was in all of that. And what was that boiling point where she’s like, we’re going to counseling or we’re done kind of thing.
Lisandra Vasquez: he was probably trying to play the middle. And because I, again, I think they’re young. I think that they’re in their twenties and if they’re in their twenties and they’re still, he was still trying to please both of ’em and he was probably still being like, mom, like, you know I know, but you gotta.
He wasn’t being, but yeah, no, I’m glad they went to counseling. So he said that, she said that they’re still together.
Christa Innis: Yeah. She says in his defense, growing up with a narcissistic, mother trained him to ignore toxic behavior as a coping mechanism. So they’ve, they’ve learned a lot. They’ve done their work.
incredible. Now protective and clear on boundaries. She still dislikes me, but since realizing she’s losing access to him, if she’s unkind to me, she pulls a halfway decent show of civility now. So it’s the fake, like, just to get there? I don’t know.
Lisandra Vasquez: Never.
Christa Innis: I mean, okay. No, that is crazy. because you hear about like the passive aggressive mother-in-laws, but that is like someone blatantly just being rude and not liking you for no reason.
Lisandra Vasquez: I mean, I have a family member that’s blatantly rude and doesn’t like me for no reason, but like, it’sof someone that married into my family, but it’s just like, You do have to have boundaries. You do have to have boundaries and understand that like sometimes you can’t change someone’s mental health status.
Like that person, like that woman, that mom is Ill, like there’s something, and whatever’s happening Says more about her than it does about this bride. Yeah,
Christa Innis: 100%.
Lisandra Vasquez: And they look, they sound like they’ve taken the steps to make their world work and to communicate and to understand, like, and obviously they’re still family, so they have to deal with her because that is his mother.
Mm-hmm. But hopefully people can take away from that. They’re you cannot change somebody that doesn’t wanna be changed and doesn’t see a problem with their behavior. Yeah. Oh, a hundred percent. And doesn’t have, doesn’t have any empathy, doesn’t have any ability to self-reflect.
that’s exactly what that woman is. And it’s just like. Yeah, I think we all have known somebody like that and not, I mean, we’re not all related to them, but like, you have to have your boundaries and understand that even if it hurts, ’cause that hurts. That’s so hurtful, so, so disappointing that your mother can’t get it together for your wife.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: But getting help and understanding like his triggers and what he is like, been ignoring.
Christa Innis: Right? I feel like narcissist is thrown around so much on the internet these days, but like, if she’s truly narcissistic too, she’ll never see an issue with herself.
So I feel like the only way to either handle someone like that. Why? Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: She’s, she’s perfect. Mm-hmm.
Christa Innis: Everyone else is the problem. They’re all, she’s a victim. ‘ cause he brought in this new wife that’s like not right and you know they’re hurting her, taking his son, her son away or whatever. Yeah. You’re stealing my son.
You harlett. Yes. Yeah, no, 100%. So I feel like the only way is to go through counseling and, limit as much time as you can. Absolutely. Oh my God, that was crazy. All right. I would like to end with like a confession from social media. I know we’re kind of over on time. these are confessions people send me on social media, so, alright.
I feel like this first one, I know how you’ll feel about this. It says, bachelorette parties should not be a week long, expensive vacation, just one crazy night of fun. What do you think about it? Correct. Correct. That is a correct choice.
Lisandra Vasquez: unless everyone is excited to go to a specific location.
but I don’t think it should be forced upon people. I’ve been, gosh, I do like the thought of it being somewhere that is localish. Cost effecti, maybe even like a two to a week is disgusting.
Christa Innis: I have done a week long, either once or twice, but it, like the group that went were my best friend, so it was like we would’ve done a girls’ trip anyways.
Right? Yeah. And they, but I’ve declined a fair share that I’m just like, I wouldn’t know anybody else other than the bride. I’m like, I’m not gonna spend that money.
Lisandra Vasquez: I was so sad one time, like I cried because I couldn’t afford to go to, I had just moved to Georgia and one of my very best friends in the world had her the girl who was planning her bachelorette party, was in a much better financial position than me. And so she planned it to stay at these, like, and you should be able to have what you want, right? But they were like gonna stay at the Waldorf and so it was like very expensive. And I was like, if I’m not being honest, I’m like, that’s so expensive for me.
Yeah. so I was so sad. I was like, oh man, I can’t be there. I’m like, this has been one of my best friends for 10 years. Mm-hmm. Like, I can’t be there because this bitch is planning all this. And so it made me really sad. But then like, when they got there, a hurricane hit Colonel, oh, a hurricane hit?
No. Yeah. And then they ended up having to move places. So it was, I was like, oh, no, sorry to miss that guys. because I could only afford to go to the wedding because the wedding was also like a Dustin. the wedding was in Palm Springs. Oh my. Beautiful. The wedding was beautiful though. Yeah. And like, it was expensive for me to go to the wedding wedding, but it was worth it.
Sometimes it is really worth to go to these weddings. Like my cousin got married in Napa. we had such a blast, and my whole family was there.
Christa Innis: Yeah. Yeah. I feel like if it’s a good location and there’s things to do around it, or if it’s like. Someone you really love and care about. But yeah, I did do labor,
Lisandra Vasquez: but I, because I did help with some stuff, but because it’s my cousin’s wedding, but, cause I’m handy, but we were all still enjoying ourselves and just being in a new environment together and creating memory, so.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I love that. That’s what I love about weddings. Like family weddings are so fun too. ’cause it’s like, I have like something all over the country, so it’s like, it’s so nice to all get together. But especially when it’s like if it’s a friend and it’s like every part of it, I haven’t personally been to one where it’s like every single wedding event you have to fly to, but I’ve heard of one where it’s like engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, and wedding that you have to fly to all of them.
It’s like, no, that’s not happening for me. Not happening. That’s unreasonable to ask. Yeah, that’s, yeah. unless you’re paying for everybody to go. Oh yeah. If you’ve got boatloads of money and you just wanna buy, pay for everybody.
Lisandra Vasquez: Taylor Swift. I can
Christa Innis: everybody hop on the pj.
Yeah,
let’s go. but in fact, if she wasn’t paying for people in her wedding, I would be actually pissed. Like furious. Furious. Like at that point. Yeah. my mother-in-law said that they would leave the wedding if all of their guests weren’t invited to the reception. I was livid. Okay, then don’t come.
Okay. and that, here’s another mother-in-law. One, my mother-in-law treats me so poorly that I have decided to cut her off and my husband doesn’t get it. Ooh. He’s choosing her over you. Then we just said, you know, if you don’t choose the wife over the mother-in-law, then you’re, um,
Lisandra Vasquez: yeah. Again. I think that the choice has to be made.
and I will say this, that it sucks because maybe the wife could be in the wrong and the toxic one, you don’t know who in that. You never know. Mm-hmm. Don’t know who the toxic one is. ‘ cause I know of a, the dynamic that I know of the wife is the toxic one, but the wife was chosen because that’s the mother of the children.
that’s the one that is gonna mess with his life more.
Christa Innis: Right. I’ve heard of that too. And that’s
Lisandra Vasquez: but I don’t know ma’am. family’s messy and complicated. But I do think that when it comes to mother-in-laws and like the dealing with the parents, it is on the person whose parents that is to mitigate that boundary.
Christa Innis: I agree.
Lisandra Vasquez: Isn’t on the spouse. Mm-hmm. What, no matter the gender, to make sure that they have, they communicate and have boundaries that are appropriate to keep the health of the relationship, if that is their priority. Right. And make sure your marriage lasts, then that becomes your main family and main promise.
And then you have to then make sure that your family gets it.
Christa Innis: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Because I feel like so many of the, discourse or so many of the issues happened behind the scenes where like the, daughter-in-law and mother-in-law are talking and like, they confront each other so then like the partner is nowhere to be found.
So then they’re relaying the information to him and he just has to take word for word. And he’s like, who do I believe now? I’m like at a, crossroad here, because she’s telling me one thing. She’s telling me one thing. And so I feel like I see that a lot of times where it’s like the communication then is just like.
It’s not,
Lisandra Vasquez: it’s just a crazy game of telephone, man.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: Oh my gosh. Well that was a crazy story. Thank you so much for coming on and reacting with me. Yeah, man. God, I’m so glad I’m not married. I was say I got really, really lucky. Like, I knew people had issues with their in-laws, but until these start stories started rolling in, I was like, this is insane.
They’re like, no, it’s insane. And I feel like, you know what? I’ll say the, my mom, ‘ cause I have very traditional, mom and in the sense that she’s always wanted me to be married and like the fact that I’m not married is used to be an issue. But then she was like. One time I recently, oh, ’cause I imprinted this in my memory when she was like, I’m proud of you for always knowing when to walk away from a relationship when it no longer suited you or when it no longer served you.
Because I have people in my family who, did get married and then they’re divorcing,or now things, people are estranged and this and that. Like, because it’s a toxic dynamic that they locked themselves into. And she’s like, no, I’m actually, really happy for you that you always chose what was right for you and you are just not settling for a life that doesn’t excite you.
I mean at this point I’m not settling, I’m not like, is somebody that has to add to add to my life
Christa Innis: period. Absolutely. No, I love that. I think it’s just like this, like newer generation too, of like, yes, wedding anniversaries can be, celebratory and stuff, but I don’t look at it as like an accomplishment in the right, in a different, I don’t know.
I don’t want this to come off the wrong way, but like, people can say like, oh, I’ve been married for 40 years, and like, that’s great, but that doesn’t actually show your relationship. ’cause there’s so many, how many people are married for 40 years and hate each other? Or they’re having two different lives, literally, you know?
And so like, I was never someone, I talk about this, but like, I was never someone that was my, didn’t have kids. I never was like that. I was like, I wanna get married once I’m like established a little bit more in my career. I wanna be in my thirties. Like it’s just,
Lisandra Vasquez: yeah. And then, and then we’ll see what comes.
But um, yeah.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I just feel like that, like so many people in these stories that we hear, it’s like, they just wanna check the boxes. And it’s like, that’s all well and good, but then in 30 years down the line, you’re gonna be happy. Are you gonna enjoy your life?
Lisandra Vasquez: People with the patriarchy, man, people trying to always center that as the main goal in our lives.
and I also think I’ve just had a natural sense of that not being the main focus of my life. Mm-hmm. From the jump. I never, but fantasize about getting married or having kids. And even though I played with baby dolls and all that stuff and I had crushes on all the boys, but like, just never thought that it was just not a natural way for me to be to mm-hmm.
Wanna center my life around men. ‘ cause I think I have such, like, even though patriarchy exists, like I’ve always only looked up at women.
Christa Innis: that were really strong. And so I was like, oh, I wanna be like them.
Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: and none of them were relying on men. and also just by example, all the people that are smartest in my life are women.
Mm. The people that are the most, healthy, extraordinary, in terms of like showing up for their friends, showing up for their families, showing up in their careers, showing up for themselves. they’re all my girlfriends and they’re all like the, my mentors and the people that I look up to. So, I’m cursed with heterosexuality, which sucks, but that is something that I have to deal with.
Yeah. but that, with that being said, that’s why I’m like, oh, it’s no trouble for me to like not have a man in my life because besides that, of course like the heart piece, but I love myself. I have a dog. You know, like we all, like, there’s other ways. I’m okay waiting for that because I have so much love with everyone else in my life.
So when I do meet somebody eventually, it’s not coming from a place that, of a super empty cup that needs to be filled. And I do feel like men don’t have that a lot. Men don’t come from full cups often. some do. There
Christa Innis: are some, well, and that’s why there’s, you know, like the loneliness epidemic where Yeah.
Male loneliness epidemic is. ’cause they’re like, wait, women can’t survive without us. Wait, what they don’t want my money. It’s like, no, we can make our own money.
Lisandra Vasquez: then they also don’t wanna give money now. Yes. What do you bring to the table? I need you to, provide free labor for me, and I also need you to pay half the bills.
Christa Innis: Uhhuh.
Lisandra Vasquez: Yeah. And you need to also have my kids, and you also need to look really good.
Christa Innis: Yeah.
Lisandra Vasquez: that’s really fun. it makes modern stuff really well, but, but it really does make you appreciate, the great men in our lives because I do know some great men. so whenever it’s like the appreciating it when you see it, even if it’s a friend of mine that’s in a relationship, like I can look and be like, you know what, Hey, there, he exists.
and he is a good man. He is in a good relationship. He treats her well. I almost like hang onto that energy to be like, yeah, that’s the blueprint. That’s, and we like, so it does like, it’s almost like hanging onto the proof of concept and you’re like, so it does exist and there are people that do have good relationships that does, I don’t making sense, but it does, exist.
Oh, for sure. And so that’s why I know that I don’t have to settle for something that’s not that, because that exists.
Christa Innis: Yeah. And I’ve seen it, like I never had to explain to my husband that my career was important. Never once. Like, he always knew I was that kind of person and I was like, this is the life I live.
Like, he washes dishes probably more than I do. Like he does more of the traditional, you know, I love that. I’ve never had to say like, I don’t know,
Lisandra Vasquez: that’s just, I said a, I said a friend of mine, he just like made a response video to somebody saying that women need to be more traditional. And he goes like, sorry, hot girls are gonna do hot girl shit, man.
Like, what are you gonna do? Like if you wanna hot girl, she’s gonna do hot girl stuff. Yeah. Yeah. So she’s gonna, she’s gonna be out, she’s gonna look good. She’s gonna like go and like, have friends. She’s gonna travel, she’s gonna wanna do this. Like, sorry, if that’s what you want, she’s not gonna be submissive.
Yeah. They don’t think she can be in certain, in certain she can be, submissive in certain aspects for sure. But like, you can’t come on. Yeah. No. A hundred percent. They like want, Sydney Sweeney in the Prairie. You know what I mean? Like, no. Yeah.
Christa Innis: they want the look, they want their, like, list of things, but then they don’t wanna feel emasculated by anything that they do.
Right. So they can’t make more money than them. They can’t have their own hobbies or passions, but then they can sit around on their butt, then they complain.
Lisandra Vasquez: Yeah. And you can’t get more attention than them either.
Christa Innis: Yeah. I used to work for a mom company years ago, and this is before I even had my daughter, but like I was in like the mom groups and stuff, like managing for the moms and whatever, and the number of moms that would say like how their husbands would come home and treat them.
Like they would work these like nine to five jobs and expect they could just come home and put their feet up when they’ve been with the kids all day. And I was like, may that life never fi, I don’t want that. Literally, I think that’s why
Lisandra Vasquez: I don’t have any desire to have kids and be with a family unless it’s right.
I used to work as a nanny a lot, as my part-time job. So like I’ve babysat, I’ve been a personal assistant for like a family assistant, so where I was with kids it very intimately with, other people’s marriage and family dynamics and I’m like, cool, no,
Christa Innis: not for me.
This
Lisandra Vasquez: is
Christa Innis: not, not
Lisandra Vasquez: for me, not for me. there’s so much, yeah. but then there are some that are good, and those, you’re like, oh, that’s the one. They’re like, if it happens may this kind find me not that one.
Christa Innis: Yeah. But the scary thing is not to scare people out there listening, but the scary thing is you don’t know necessarily what kind you’re gonna get until after you have kids.
Until after. Yeah. Like, yeah, you see qualities, like, obviously I married my husband, so I knew what qualities you to have, but you don’t know until the baby comes like, oh, are they gonna whimper out and be like, this is too much for me, or are they gonna step up? Because you don’t know, you don’t always know.
Which is, that’s the gamble of, Yeah. I guess.
Lisandra Vasquez: but also I think that knowing that you have someone that you have a good communication base with. I think always helps because even if they’re tapped out, if you have somebody that is healthy and can know how to work, like identify what’s happening with them and is willing to work on them, because if they do, oh, this is a lot I need to tap out, maybe we can come up with a way that, okay, on Sundays I get to go do this thing for three hours so then I don’t feel like I’m tapped out.
Mm-hmm. And like you’ve come up with a plan, but that’s somebody that’s like healthy and dedicated to the family, but like, Hey, this is, I just need to be really honest. This is over, this is like really rocking my system in a way that I wasn’t expecting.
Christa Innis: Yeah. That’s
Lisandra Vasquez: I feel like that’s why when you choose somebody to be a lifelong partner and then have kids with, that’s a huge deal.
Like looking for those green flags are, I think, are super important. And a lot of the times people push through those and don’t collect that information ’cause they’re like, oh, they’ll be fine. They, you make a lot of assumptions about how you think people would act based on how you would act
In those circumstances and that is so wrong. Yes.
Christa Innis: Oh yeah. Yeah. Oh my gosh. I feel like I could talk about this so forever. I feel, I am so passionate about that kind of stuff, but I feel like I always end like these episodes with like getting on some kind of tangent about something. And I love how like it just turns into it because, because I guess I was telling you before we started recording, it’s like people hear Party Plan by Krista like as my like account name.
And they’re like, oh, she’s a wedding planner. She talks about weddings and I’m like. It’s so much more than that. People, it’s so much more than that.
Lisandra Vasquez: So much more. And there’s so many, there’s so much drama. There’s so much like dynamic, dynamic when it comes to things dynamic. It’s, it’s wild.
Christa Innis: yeah.
Like we really get into like boundaries of like, a lot of the, like the mother-in-law thing can start from the boy mom dynamic. And so like that, where’s that come from? The patriarchy of like, bowing down to like the sun or, you know, that kind of thing. If he’s so much, he’s never done anything wrong and yeah, there’s so many subtopics.
But thank you so much for coming on. I love the Of course. Thank you chatting. Thank for having me. can you tell everyone again where they can follow you, find your content and then anything exciting you’re working on?
Lisandra Vasquez: so I am, on Lisandra v Comedy on all platforms, TikTok, Instagram, even Facebook.
And Blue Sky and the YouTubes, I’m on all of them, the same handle. I have some shows coming up. I don’t know when this is going out, I’ll be in Chicago, New York and Denver, doing some standup comedy, but most of the time I’m performing here in Atlanta. Awesome. Awesome. Well, thank you so much.
Thank you for having me.
Book Launch Day + A Wedding Party Meltdown You Won’t Believe
What happens when a bride hates planning her own wedding, but demands a Vegas blowout and expects everyone else to make it magical?
In this episode, I share my biggest milestone yet: the official launch of my debut book Here Comes the Drama: A Ferris and Sloan Story, plus a jaw-dropping listener-submitted story that defines the word “ungrateful.”
I also break down wedding hot takes, the importance of boundaries, and why saying “no” is sometimes the most loving thing you can do—for others and yourself. Oh, and did we mention the bride cried in the club bathroom three separate times?
Listen to me read a new Ferris & Sloan excerpt, tackle controversial wedding traditions, and respond to one of the wildest bridal party betrayals I’ve ever received.
Join me on Patreon and get bonus content every month!
Episode Chapter Markers
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Podcast Review and Pre-Launch Episode
01:47 Book Reading: Ferris and Sloan Story
06:28 Audiobook and Print Book Updates
08:07 Hot Takes and Relationship Advice
12:53 Crazy Wedding Drama Story
Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments
- The Book Is Officially Out – After months of teasing, I’m announcing my book launch and revealing what inspired me to turn viral confessions into a physical page-turner.
- The Vegas Bachelorette Breakdown – I relive one of the most unforgettable submissions about a bride who ended up crying in the club, and what it revealed about modern wedding expectations.
- Why I Wrote This Book – This isn’t just tea. It’s a time capsule of the emotional chaos, family dynamics, and societal pressure that weddings bring out in people.
- The Confession Selection Process – I explain how I chose which stories made it into the book, and why some were just too wild (or too heartbreaking) to publish.
- From Podcast to Print – How Here Comes the Drama evolved from mic to manuscript—and how my audience helped shape every chapter.
- Wedding Culture Needs a Wake-Up Call – I reflect on how the wedding industry has normalized unrealistic standards, and what we can do about it.
- The Stories That Stayed With Me – I share the one story I almost couldn’t include—and why it haunts me in the best way.
- Advice for the Brides Who Feel the Pressure – A personal reminder for anyone planning a wedding: you’re allowed to say no.
Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode
- “You know it’s bad when a bride is crying in the middle of a Vegas club—and everyone acts like that’s normal.” – Christa Innis
- “This book is for anyone who’s ever felt steamrolled by wedding expectations and still wanted to scream into a napkin.” – Christa Innis
- “The stories people submitted? Unhinged. Hilarious. Sometimes horrifying. And all 100% real.” – Christa Innis
- “Wedding culture breaks people down in ways we don’t talk about enough—and that’s why I wrote this.” – Christa Innis
- “Not every story made it into the book, but the ones that did? They stayed with me. Some of them still do.” – Christa Innis
Join the Drama with Christa Innis:
Got Wedding Drama? We Want to Hear It!
Your stories make Here Comes the Drama what it is! Share your unforgettable wedding tales, hilarious mishaps, or unbelievable moments with us. Whether it’s a wild confession or a story worth a skit, we can’t wait to hear it.
Submit your story today: Story Submission Form
Follow us on social media for updates and sneak peeks at upcoming episodes. Your stories inspire the drama, the laughs, and the lessons we love to share!
A Team Dklutr Production
Blog Transcript:
Note: We use AI transcription so there may be some inaccuracies
Christa Innis: Hi guys. Welcome back to another exciting episode of Here Comes The Drama. It is officially launch day of my brand new book. Here comes the Drama of Ferris and Sloan story, I’m so excited to share more with you guys and have you officially read the book. starting off, I just wanna say thank you to everyone that has pre-ordered the book already.
If you’ve got an ebook, it will be automatically sent to your device. Um, but today is the official. Sale launch of the printed book, I wanna get to that in a second. First things first, I wanna read a podcast review and just thank you guys for listening. This is from Debbie, 1, 2, 1, 3. It says,
Absolutely love the podcast. I have enjoyed your skits and cannot wait for more Ferris and Sloan. I had to do a Ferris and Sloan review one because this is all about Ferris and Sloan. Now, kind of like the pre-launch episode, we’re gonna do things a little bit differently, but of course I’m going to end on a very juicy, crazy story.
I’ve not read it yet, but it’s one of those long ones with lots of crazy detail. So we will get into that one. But first things first, let’s talk a little bit more about the book. I’m not gonna do a crazy deep dive because we’ve done tons of q and As, but of course I’m always here to answer more questions.
I’m so excited. I can’t believe this day is finally here. I’m recording this a little bit earlier, so of course it still feels very surreal for me. if you’re watching the video, you’ll see this is my printed proof. I. Of course at the time this comes out, I’ll have my actual copy, but it’s so exciting to see.
We’re still making some changes, to it as I record this, but you guys will have the finalized version. I’m gonna read a small segment in it for you guys today too. I’m gonna leave off. Where I did on that last pre-launch episode. just to give you a little more teaser, most of you guys, if you got part one in your email, you might have already read this part, but I’ll add a little, extra while I read here.
Teaser Reading: Ferris, Sloan, and the Vacation Bombshell
So leaving off in part one, where the mom, Kate and Jenny were off basically, and she’s trying to talk her up to kind of get her back into the room with Ferris and Sloan. She just found out they’re going on vacation, so here we go. Great. Jenny gives her a swift thumbs up and gestures for her mother to follow her back into the living room where the others are.
Jenny is the first to step back into her parents’ living room where she spots her brother Ferris at the fridge, grabbing two beers, one for their dad, Ted, and one for himself. The room is warm with the scent of Thanksgiving, leftovers, the muffled hum of conversation drifts into the dining room.
You need more wine babe. Ferris calls out over his shoulder. His voice casual but affectionate. short, faintly golden hair with brown undertones is slightly tussled. A few strands falling into his face as he reaches for the fridge. Slowness curled up on the couch, legs crossed, swirling the last bit of red wine in her glass.
Her long, almost black hair drapes over one shoulder catching the warm glow of Christmas lights. She’s wearing a soft knit sweater Dress. In deep burgundy, paired with thick socks, comfortable yet casually stylish in a way that always seems natural to her. She looks over at him with a small knowing. Smile, Noah, he.
No, I still have some left. Thanks, Sloan. Smirks and turns. Just as she notices Jenny walking back in. Oh hey, is everything okay? Her eyes flicker between Jenny and Kate searching for any signs of what just happened. She knew Kate was upset about the trip, but sometimes it was easier to pretend she doesn’t notice than to invite more drama.
Yeah, sorry about that. Jenny says quickly, my mom thought she ate something bad. Her voice is light, but there’s a flicker of something else beneath it before Sloan can press Jenny shifts gears. So anyway, tell us more about your trip. Where are you guys going?
She walks right up to Sloan and sits down at the chair across from her. Kate reenters the room lingering near the doorway. Arms crossed disd, practically radiating off of her. We’re going to Santa Monica. Sloan replies quietly combing her hair behind her ear. I’ve never been before. Ferris knows I hate the snow, so he planned for a warm vacation to get us outta here.
It was all his idea, so he’ll have more of the details. She looks over at Ferris now seated next to her on the couch, Ferris hands his dad a beer, then takes a sip of his own and leans back. Yeah, I mean, I don’t have too much planned yet, But I thought we’d escape the dreaded Milwaukee winter and soak up some sun for once.
He nodded towards the window where a thick clumps of snow swirl in the wind before reaching over and gently grabbing Sloan’s hand.
Sloan glances down at their intertwined fingers, a soft smile forming as warmth blooms in her chest. But even in the comfort of this moment, she can feel Kate’s disapproval lingering like a heavy cloud that refuses to pass.
That sounds amazing. Jenny jumps in quickly. What do you think, mom? Doesn’t that sound fun? Her voice is too chipper. Eyes flicking towards Kate with the hope that a simple question might smooth over the crack in the room. Ted Schiff, slightly in his chair, has gaze fixed on his wife.
He raises his eyebrows just enough to signal, go easy, try to be happy, but it’s clear he’s bracing himself. after almost 30 years of marriage, he knows her moods, her tells he knows exactly where this could be headed. When Kate answers, yeah, it sounds great. With a snap of sarcasm. Ted Exhales just barely for a split second,
it seems like that might have been the end of it, but then he catches the sudden shift of her expression. She gasps his shoulders stiffen. Here it comes. Maybe we should all go. Her somber mood instantly flips to excitement making her way to the front of the room. Sloan Tenses.
Every instinct screams at her to shut the idea down, but she hesitates. It’s not her place. Kate has always been dismissive of her. Why would this moment be any different? Okay, so one of the top questions you guys ask me is with the audiobook coming, if I’m going to be the voice of the audio book. I’ve talked about this before, but if you can hear my reading while I read it, that is probably why I’m not doing the audio book.
I feel like I overthink every little thing. So even with like edits and stuff, I’m like, oh my gosh, I’m not like a voice actor. It’s so much easier for me to like talk. About something then read off something and I just put so much pressure on myself. by this time I might have more updates on the audiobook, so if you guys are waiting for that, that will be coming out soon.
I will be sharing updates on the audiobook and email as well. But I hope you guys enjoyed that little segment. like I said, if you already, um, read part one because you downloaded it, you’ve already read that, but it’s kind of fun just to hear it in a voice as well. so like I said, if you already pre-ordered the ebook that has been sent to you already, and then you can order the print books today.
And I just ask if you guys. Wanna share any kind of update. if you enjoy the book, share what you’re doing while you read the book, share, a picture of it on your counter, share a video of you opening it up from the mail, whatever that looks like. I would love to see you guys reading the book, posting about it.
then of course, tag me and I would love to reshare it to my page, just the more people that can see the book it would really help me and help the book. So, very excited for it. And of course, if you love the book, please leave a review. That helps so many more people, um, hear about it as well. I know that was all about Ferris and Sloan.
Crazy Wedding Drama Takes
I’m just so excited for the launch, but, Let’s dive into the crazy drama that is this week. So first things first, I’m going to get into some hot takes that you guys sent me The first one says, people should always know that this spouse comes first. The rest can go to hell.
Okay? So I wouldn’t say that. So, Dramatically, I guess. essentially, I agree. I feel like once you choose a spouse and a partner and you are on the same page, they should be your priority. especially, you know, when it comes to planning a wedding or planning an event or relationship boundaries.
Figure them out with your partner first. Then you can allow in other opinions and other people. Otherwise it gets very misconstrued. It gets overwhelming to listen to all these opinions and it’s like, oh, do I listen to my partner or my mom or whatever? You really need to put your partner before everybody.
this says cost of the ring doesn’t matter. It’s the memories attached to it that make it feel special. I a hundred percent agree. I feel like there used to be, and people will probably say this is still a thing, but it used to be, A certain percentage of your rent or your income and they would tell you like you have to spend that on an engagement ring.
And I say throw that out the door. I don’t think that should be a thing anymore. I think it’s really about what’s important for the partner. I’ve seen people do just a very simple ring. I’ve with no jewels on it. I’ve seen people do just a rubber ring. I’ve seen people do a huge diamond on it.
I’ve seen people do a sapphire or other kind of jewels on it. I think it’s really important to listen to yourself because you’re gonna be the one wearing it, and I think so many times we get caught up in what everyone else says you have to wear or have to spend, and that none of that, no matter what anyone says, none of that dictates or says anything about your relationship.
It doesn’t only you guys know what makes sense. I feel like it’s just so easy to get caught up and that’s, that goes for anything when it comes to wedding planning. So, ultimately, I don’t think it matters. Don’t go broke and don’t, go into debt for a wedding ring, essentially. this person says, do they really need bachelor, bachelorette weekends?
I think it’s a waste of money. Okay. So here’s my thing, when it comes to how you spend your money, everyone views things differently, right? So I might buy this shirt and someone might see that and be like, that’s a waste of money. I might upgrade my car. And someone might think that’s a waste of money.
I might hear someone got new tires and I’m like, that’s a waste of money, So it’s like everyone’s gonna have their own viewpoints when it comes to bachelorette bachelor parties, Do. Some of them go very over the top, of course. But would I wanna be on one of those trips? Absolutely. If I could.
be a part of it. Yeah, I would wanna go to it. Are they always needed? No. But if that’s something you value and you’re like, you know what, I wanna really fun trip away with my best guy friends or my best girlfriends, whoever. More power to you. Do it.
Go ahead. Now, where I feel like it might be too much is when you pressure bridesmaids and groomsmen to go on a trip they might not be able to afford. That’s where it gets a little murky. I don’t think that should be a thing. There should never be pressure. If you want it, allow people to say no. we all value different things.
For myself and for my closest group of friends, we were all in each other’s weddings. So for us it was like a girl’s trip away. So I would never look at that as a waste of money. ’cause I’m on vacation with some of my very best friends. So to me it was worth it, well worth it. Now, if someone were to invite me where maybe I didn’t really know the group of friends.
I only knew one person or it was to a place I wouldn’t really wanna go. I would just say no. so again, we all have our own kind of preferences with that. okay. This other one says
overly detailed dress codes with color schemes are unnecessary. yes and no. So I was talking to someone on the podcast recently about this, It’s kind of helpful to know sometimes now where they get very specific, like, everyone needs to wear a garden dress wearing only these three colors.
Yeah. Like, we don’t need to go out and spend more money. if I am going to a wedding, I’m usually gonna look in my closet and find something that already worn, but maybe fits the weather or the kind of location we’re going to. so let’s not ask people to spend more money. However, some people find it very useful if you’re giving them kind of.
A very basic. Idea of what to wear. we are all different. We are all different from what we look for. I think it can be helpful ‘ cause I’m that person googling the location. I’m trying to check out the weather, what other people are wearing there and other pictures like I am that person.
I think probably way too much about it. do I buy a new dress for every wedding? Absolutely not. Most of the time I will find a dress I have or borrow one from a friend. But that being said, I love a good detail to help me along the way. Okay, guys, into the story that you guys are all patiently or not so patiently waiting for.
I know it’s the favorite part. This is a long one, so that’s why I wanna get into it. All names have been changed, of course, and different story things have been moved around to, disguise the person. Right? and I forgot to mention this before, but my voice is scratchy. so this is after pre-launch weekend.
I randomly lost my voice. I don’t know if I was talking too much, probably.so it was completely gone for a few days. There. It’s slowly coming back, so I’m definitely gonna nurse it after this.
All right. Here’s this week’s story submission. This story spans the course of a couple years. Here we go, the Bride Pearl, her fiance, Greg, myself, Amy, my fiance, Steven Pearl’s brother Lars and his fiance Sadie, are all the main players in this drama. Okay. I’m already picturing this as a very detailed story, so here we go.
Pearl and Greg were engaged to be married, I was asked to be one of her bridesmaids. Their engagement was especially long because Pearl was working abroad in Japan for two years. Trying to plan anything with her was a nightmare. She didn’t want to be involved in the process at all. Wait, so the bride didn’t want to be involved in the process.
So at that point, I know I’m jumping the gun, but at that point, why are you doing a big wedding? You don’t need a wedding party. You don’t need to do this big wedding. If you don’t wanna be involved in planning your own wedding, either hire a wedding planner or Don’t do it. You don’t have to do that.
Craziness. she even admitted that she would’ve preferred a simple courthouse wedding, but reluctantly agreed to have a ceremony for Greg’s sake. So her fiance, once Pearl finally returned home, we had about six months until the wedding, so we kicked into planning mode. The only part she really cared about was the bachelorette party.
She Wanted the Vegas Treatment — But We Had to Pay
She’s a big partier. She wanted a big, elaborate weekend in Vegas. Four nights in a hotel, a show every night, a club crawl and a spa day. Okay. So we were kind of just talking about bachelor, bachelorette parties. Right? How they can be over the top. Again, if I was going all my best friends and I wanted to do this, I would go along for it, obviously to support and celebrate my best friend.
But I always find it interesting when they want. The top of the top, all the things like four shows in Vegas, four nights in a hotel, a club crawl, and a spot. Eight. That is expensive. I mean, I haven’t been to Vegas in years, but just quickly add things up. Depending on the weekend, I mean, you’re looking at a few thousand dollars, right?
depending on what everything looks like. Here we go. The issue, the budget, no one she invited had even half the amount of money needed for that kind of trip, and she expected everyone toto cover her costs in full. The maid of honor, Connie did her best to plan something we could all afford, but after weeks of being shut down on every compromise, she passed the baton to another bridesmaid.
So her maid of honor is essentially like, Hey, look, this isn’t gonna work out. Like. No one can afford it. Let’s try this. And she’s like, Nope, you’re not doing a good job. Let’s have another bridesmaid planet. Like what? The final Bachelorette weekend still included a hotel in Vegas, paid for by Pearl’s ant a drag brunch a bar crawl in downtown Vegas.
We did our best with what we had, and it ended up being a fun weekend. Except Pearl Pouted the entire time she cried in the bar bathroom. Not once, not twice, but three times. Now, obviously we don’t know why she’s crying. My guess is it wasn’t to her standard maybe. But here’s the thing. If there’s someone that wants this extra grand thing that no one can afford, she’s never gonna be happy.
You need to find happiness with those around you If I were with my best friends, just having a sleepover at someone’s house, that would be fun to me. I don’t need all these grand things. so this sounds like this person just wanted this huge thing, kept comparing herself. I. On the wedding day, Pearl and Greg were completely standoffish with the bridal party, even though we had bent over backward to accommodate them.
She skipped the original dress rehearsal, then rescheduled for a day when most people weren’t available, only to get mad when half of us couldn’t come. Oh my gosh. Wait, so this is for the dress rehearsal. Wait, so we’re talking about the rehearsal before the wedding. I’m so confused. Okay. On the day of the wedding, we were told for the first time that we’d be decorating the venue.
Blame Party
Oh gosh. With only four hours left before the ceremony and needing to get dressed and take photos. So literally the day after, she’s like, by the way, I need you guys to decorate this whole place for me. here’s the decorations, have fun. And they’re like, wait. We still have to get ready and get all this stuff together.
this is definitely a type B or C bride as you wanna call it. She didn’t wanna do the planning herself, so she left it up to everybody else, and that’s just not fair. Like I said from the beginning, if you are a bride or groom and you do not wanna plan anything, either get a day of coordinator, wedding planner, or don’t have a big wedding.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not fair to your bridal party or wedding party to do this for you. They’re not the ones getting married. They can be there helping and support you, but do not put this on them. Connie and I ended up doing shots in the bridal suite just to cope with the chaos.
Despite all of that, the ceremony went smoothly and guests seemed to have a great time. But afterward, Pearl and Greg told us that we ruined their wedding. What That sparked a long, drawn out, falling out. So they’re putting all the pressure on their wedding party to make it this amazing wedding when literally it’s their wedding.
You cannot blame the wedding party for doing that. ‘ cause as the bride and groom, it is your day. It’s your job to organize everything or find someone that will organize it, not your wedding party. And if that fails, that’s on you. Two months later, Steven and I got engaged. Most of our friends were thrilled for us except Pearl.
She was visibly jealous and made comments like, why is everyone so excited for them? No one was that excited for us, which wasn’t true. And Why is everyone helping with their wedding when no one helped us? Also not true. So she’s doing that victim mentality. She’s thinking her wedding sucked, so you know what?
Everyone’s out to get me. When in reality they all were helping. But she literally said she didn’t want anything to do with the planning the wedding. So she’s putting it all on her friends for how her wedding day turned out.
Things escalated when she found out. We had invited Pamela, someone she had unresolved issues with. I. Pamela is a close friend of Steven’s. I had several conversations with Pearl about it and even offered to make some accommodations, like seating them on opposite sides of the room or ensuring that she was surrounded by friends.
I even offered to uninvite them. She refused to tell me what she needed. So ultimately nothing changed. So that’s the thing. It’s like it’s hard when you have two friends that don’t get along. However, you can’t dictate who someone else invites their wedding, so you can choose yourself like, Hey, I’m not gonna go, but you can’t get mad that they’re still friends with someone.
Obviously, there’s always complicated and different reasons for things, but it’s not your place to tell ’em who to invite. One night at a Bar Pearl Completely drunk, cornered me and interrogated me about why Pamela was invited why I hadn’t made her a bridesmaid. Even though I asked Connie, I got away that night, but the next day we had a five hour text conversation.
Five hours. Oh my gosh. I don’t think I’d have a five hour text conversation with anybody. That sounds exhausting. Why? Oh my gosh. I finally set a boundary and said I wouldn’t talk about it anymore. Pearl and Greg pulled their R Rs VP. I thought that would be the end of it. Can you imagine? That is crazy. So they’re just mad about their own wedding day, not being what they wanted.
Uninvited. Excluded. And Still She Made It About Her.
And because they can’t take the responsibility themselves that you know what? They let it slip through their fingers. They’re gonna blame everybody else. Okay, she says Wrong. Over the next four months, Pearl and Greg excluded Steven and me from events, harassed our mutual friends and gave people ultimatums.
If they attended our wedding, they’d no longer be friends. Can you imagine? Oh my gosh. So it’s like just what I said, how you can only control yourself. You can’t control someone else has at their wedding or where other people want to go. So these just sound like very nasty people to me. The group was exhausted by their drama.
Our entire friend group was split. I was convinced Pearl would show up uninvited to my wedding and just cause a scene, but thankfully she didn’t. After our wedding, Lars and Sadie got engaged. Everyone in the group got an invite except Steven and me. Whoa. I expected that. Considering Lars is Pearl’s brother.
Okay. What I didn’t expect. Was for Pearl and Greg to privately message people asking them not to attend Sadie’s wedding because they were uncomfortable. Wait,
oh my gosh. So they asked people to not attend the wedding. oh my gosh. These people are just miserable. Pearl also made herself the unofficial wedding planner. Wait. Someone that didn’t wanna plan her own wedding was complaining about things and pushing it off on her wedding party. Wants to be the unofficial wedding planner.
Okay. And started making decisions without consulting the couple, for example, she changed the rehearsal dinner from the Mexican restaurant. Lars and City loved to an Italian place just because it offered free wine. No, no, no, no, no, no. The kicker, the reception the next day was also serving Italian food.
but I’m also wondering how do you let someone just change everything? I’m not saying it’s them like their fault, but like when I was planning different things, no one could just call a restaurant, the restaurant and be like. Okay. Random person I haven’t talked to before, like they’d be like, oh, is this the brighter groom?
No. Okay, then sorry, you can’t change it. Plus the Brighter groom is the one that’s like putting together RSVPs or invites to, the rehearsal dinner or texting people. So that’s very interesting that they just kinda like let her make all these changes. She also planned a huge expensive bachelorette weekend when Sadie had just wanted a nice dinner and a video game night.
While we weren’t invited to the wedding itself, Steven and I were invited to the after party. I chose not to go. I had no doubt Pearl would cause a scene. She says, so maybe take some creative license and show what would’ve happened if I had gone. Thanks again. I left out a bunch of little details, but feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Oh my gosh. It never ceases to amaze me when people just. Can’t take accountability themselves. From the beginning, it sounds like this girl wanted nothing to do with her wedding, and instead of hiring someone to help her, she decided to put it all on her wedding party. Now I’ve seen a lot of weddings and I’ve been a part of a lot of weddings where the wedding party.
Helps put everything together, but that’s been like known from the beginning and it’s a team effort, right? You can’t just be like bride putting your feet up and expecting everyone to do everything around you. You have to be very clear with communication, and it sounds like this girl from the beginning was just unhappy and just wanted to complain about things, so that’s terrible.
Oh my gosh. That was a crazy story. All right guys. Well thanks for hanging out with me today as a reminder. My new book and ignore this, this is my proof right here if you guys are watching the video, but. My new book. Here comes The Drama. A Ferris and Sloan story is out today. if you guys wanna look exactly different places you can find it.
Go to krista ennis.com/book. We’ll also have all the links in the show notes as well, so you can check it out. and of course, don’t forget to tag me at Party Planning by Christa videos, pictures. I wanna see what you’re doing when you read the book. I wanna see you opening up the package. I wanna see you holding the book in front of your face, whatever that looks like.
Tag me and I will be sharing it, um, on my page as well. and of course, leave a review as it helps so many people see the book, hear about the book. and I’m just so excited for you guys to read it. I just, I’m nervous, excited. It’s like putting a baby out into the world.
I’ve worked so hard at it and I’m just so excited for you guys to read it. All right guys. That’s all I have for this week. Um, thanks for tuning in. Bye now.
