March 4, 2025 • 40 mins
Welcome to Episode 64 of the Wed.Co Podcast. Today, Toga sit’s down with Roxy from Timmy and Tammy Events for a chat about the importance of Childcare at weddings and different options for couples.
Roxy shares her journey from the UK to Australia and how her background in childcare led her to create a unique service that caters to families attending weddings. They discuss the challenges of including children in wedding celebrations, the planning process for childcare services, and the benefits of creating engaging spaces for kids. Roxy also offers advice for couples on whether to include children in their wedding and how to ensure a memorable experience for all guests.
Takeaways
- Roxy's journey into wedding childcare began with her own wedding experience.
- Childcare at weddings can alleviate stress for parents and enhance the overall experience.
- The importance of building rapport with children for a successful childcare service.
- Childcare services can be tailored to the specific needs of each wedding.
- Engaging spaces for children can make weddings more enjoyable for families.
- Planning for childcare should start well in advance of the wedding day.
- Childcare services can be offered both on-site and off-site depending on the venue.
- Qualified childcare providers ensure safety and proper care for children at events.
- Communication with the couple is key to understanding their vision for childcare.
- Creating a magical experience for children at weddings can leave lasting memories.
Your support enables us to bring more enriching conversations and insights to both engaged couples and wedding professionals.
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Join us for our next episode on the Wed.Co Podcast, where we continue to explore the mesmerizing and ever-changing landscape of weddings.
Toga xxx
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Welcome to the Wedco podcast, your ultimate guide to the wedding world.
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(00:24):
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truly means the world.
and welcome to the word co podcast.
I'm Toga.
And today we were at cooler bar downs, private estate, and I've got Roxy from Timmy andTammy events on the couch with me.
(00:49):
Really appreciate it.
After I saw you down at tall trees, like I've seen you around a little bit.
And I get that constant question, should we have kids?
Should we not have kids at the wedding?
So I thought you're a perfect person to have on.
We usually kind of start with a little bit of a backstory of your brand, kind of how yougot into weddings and that evolution.
So I got married here in Australia.
So I'm originally from the UK.
(01:11):
when I came out, I wasn't really, I didn't know how to do weddings.
was about 10 years ago now when I got married.
So, and it was all very, I think like I've learned over the years now, if I was to do itagain, how I would do the wedding, but I didn't have childcare at my wedding and it wasn't
a service I could look for.
I had family coming from the UK.
(01:33):
had my husband's family coming from interstate with little ones that wanted to come to thewedding.
I was very, no children at my wedding.
I want it to be about us and us to have a good time.
But then at the same time, I still had some in the bridal party that did have children andI wanted like my nieces and nephews and things in the wedding too.
So, yeah, I just felt from like my own experience of not being able to offer that serviceand because
(02:00):
people were travelling, didn't have recommended babysitters that they could trust to thechildren with offsite.
Yeah, definitely.
And being in the childcare industry myself as well.
So I've always worked with children and I know that, you know, it's important.
Yeah.
Like for me, it is important to be able to incorporate and have an opportunity for thechildren to have a good time too.
(02:20):
Yeah.
So yeah, it was like a no brainer and I moved to the Gold Coast.
So we was in Adelaide when we got married and we moved to the Gold Coast and
It was just an idea and it was just something that I had in my head.
And then I was working in childcare.
I was working in a childcare center and running kind of the business on the side.
(02:40):
So I started it over here and I thought, you know, it's a good idea.
It was something that was more done in the UK, but not over here at all.
No one was doing it on the Gold Coast.
yeah, I just brought it over here when I moved to the Gold Coast.
Brand new, didn't know anyone, didn't know.
have like any kind of links with any of the wedding industry, but I just wanted to providechildcare at weddings because I knew that it was a needed service to be able to
(03:03):
incorporate for all your guests that are coming as well.
Especially if people are like you said coming from interstate or from just not from localIt's so hard like especially to kind of go through say like an agency and you're like,
yeah take my kid Like you know what mean?
Like it's such a hard thing like unless you're at home, you know who you trust You knowwho you align with?
Whereas like coming to weddings.
(03:23):
It's people can't be prepared for that is that like as far as like it just you know, don'teven know if it's like in interstate or you know, Melbourne or Sydney if it is a service
but just that like it's been it's been a
a thing ever since I started 13 years ago, there was always a question of like, like, wedon't want to have kids at our wedding.
But then also my sister has a young kid and they have to come.
(03:44):
Like it was, it was always been an issue since I've ever been in the wedding industry.
And for like, for you to be like, I can offer something there.
Like what was that first thought like?
Yeah, well, I guess coming from the childcare industry.
was my first thought was like, okay, well, I know how to provide childcare.
I'm very good at it.
That's my passion.
(04:05):
That's what I really enjoy.
And I've always in the UK as well, I was running kind of events.
I was group leader for children going on holiday into different kids camps.
So we'd do water sports activities and stuff.
I would...
liaised with the coach driver and the teacher and the school group and try and plan theirtrip while they were on their camp.
(04:30):
So I was doing that with children and organizing events.
when I studied, I studied travel and tourism and all I wanted to do was travel.
And then I was like, but I want to do childcare as well.
And so I did that as well.
And then came over here working in childcare.
I just brought the events and childcare together and was able to just run with it.
(04:51):
So we just slowly, only very slowly, I was always working as well.
And then kind of on weekends, we were doing childcare at the weddings and yeah, for aboutsix years.
And then during COVID that happened, I pivoted.
(05:12):
was like, do I do?
There's, you only have 12 people at your wedding.
There's all these rules around it.
There was no children.
So a lot of cancellations or postponed weddings happened at that time.
So yeah, you started with the yoga teacher training as well.
Yeah, I don't know why I pivoted to that.
we so I incorporated the yoga after Covid and then we did one on one yoga coaching.
(05:37):
my gosh, I'm really missing this.
So, yeah, so my journey started.
We did the weddings at weekends and I was still working full time for a few years and Iwasn't going all out in Timmy and Tammy just yet.
I was scared to take the leap, Building my team, of getting my foot in the door, sussingit out.
(06:02):
We didn't just do weddings, we did all corporate events, so like conferences, parties.
And you still kind of do all events as well, like not just weddings.
Yep.
Yeah, so we did a huge event last weekend where it was a two-day program for a conferenceand they came in from the UK and America and all over the world to provide and we provided
(06:23):
like a teens club with 10 staff and then kids club and it was amazing and it was reallylike so we work with the venues, we work with the hotels, we work with the event
organizers to create what they're looking for.
So whether it's a wedding or a corporate event or a 40th birthday or something where they
do need childcare.
And I guess how I differentiate what I provide is we're not entertainers, like we're notdressing up as Elsa and being magical and offering kind of an entertainment service.
(06:53):
We're actually qualified childcare is looking after your children in a safe environment atthe wedding or at the corporate event, where that's like a check in and check out policy.
And we've got all the procedures in place.
So it's basically like a childcare center in the venue where we
can look after the children, we've got all their information, their dietary, theirallergies, everything that we need to know beforehand.
(07:15):
And then on the day we're able to assist with everything from the start to the end,whether they're little ones and they need nap time and nappy changes and all that, our
nannies are able to do that.
And then more like entertainer is you just go in there as an entertainer, but you're notreally supervising the children.
Like that'd be alongside like, you know, childcare, like you'd have like your team there,but then you would also have an entertainer that takes on that role.
(07:40):
Yeah.
and sometimes they want, depending on the wedding, but sometimes they want onlyentertainers to provide entertainment for the children.
They want the parents to still be looking after their children and the children just to begoing back and forth and maybe when they're a little bit older, that's fine.
It's normally for the younger ones that need the nanny or if they don't choose to have thenanny, then the younger ones stay with their parents.
(08:03):
So what would a typical day look like?
Because I know I get to bride prep and it can be, you know, sometime pretty stressful.
Where like you said, like, you know, kids do need naps or they kind of like mums trying toget her hair and makeup done.
And there's like little kids kind of around here.
Yeah.
Like you can start from essentially the start of the day your services.
Yeah.
so we've got the bride or nanny service.
So if the bride's got her own children and she wants them to be a part of the day, they'rea part of the wedding, but then they don't really want to be doing mum roles on that day
(08:32):
or grandparents don't really want to be taken over either.
And it's what I say from the get go is like if the bride is does have her own children anddoesn't think about
free ceremony kind of care and they just want, I do say, oh, you know, it's probably agood idea for the nanny to come earlier because one, they're building rapport with the
children from the beginning.
(08:53):
So we can, the nanny and the child is comfortable with each other when it comes toreception later and they're not with their parents and they're in a separate children's
area and you know, it's, they- Person you've not even met yet.
Yeah.
So.
So yeah, if you're a bride and you've got your own children and you want them to be a partof the day, but you don't want to be, well, you won't be able to anyway for a start
(09:18):
because it's such a busy schedule for the bride with hair and makeup and everyone and it'sjust such a crazy day, then to bring your own children in the mix and it's really hard.
So we're just that extra pair of hands that come in the morning.
We find out the babies.
or the children's kind of like schedule for the day.
It's always different on the day of the wedding.
It's like, they've had a late night or on holiday.
(09:39):
Like we're staying in the hotel, time differences.
There's so many different elements.
So we're like, okay, well, is nap time normal?
Like we know what time nap time is, but is it normally, you know, it's like 11 a.m.
But today it was probably going to be because they woke up really early.
So they'd probably go down at 10.
And so we kind of plan it by on the day, making sure.
checking and we bring activities, come to the Airbnb if they're getting ready in theAirbnb or we go to the Bridal Retreat on venue and we just support in on hand.
(10:07):
So an extra pair of hands to help and we do nap times, do feeding, getting them dressed,entertaining and then he's bringing like a little entertainers basket full of goodies and
toys and activities based on their ages and interests on the day.
And so we're building rapport on the day, we're getting their trust and we're justhelping.
(10:27):
And it's really nice.
The children can still be a part of it when they want to be, but then we can also takethem when they need that nap time and get them ready for the wedding and et cetera.
because there are so many times where, know, like mum or dad of the bride or groom or,whoever it is, they're the ones who end up kind of looking after the children.
And the amount of times like there'll be a ceremony and you see, you know, grandma walkingoff with the child because, know, they're starting to make noise.
(10:53):
And now all of a sudden mum misses out on the ceremony.
Do you find many brides are kind of booking your service for other people at the weddingas well?
Yeah, yeah, so there's other times where the bride and groom, they don't have anychildren, but they've got lots of children coming to the wedding.
So they want a book for the children that are going to be at the wedding.
(11:14):
So then that's when we provide our event childcare kind of setups, so our play space.
And we work with the venue.
We make sure that the safe that it's a safe environment for our setups first.
Whether we go there first and risk assess the venue, if it's a new one that we've notworked with before.
or if there's a new venue, I'll make sure I do a site tour and check in and just see thespaces.
(11:37):
If it's not a safe area where there's like maybe cliff edges or ponds or open water andstuff, then we won't be able to provide our childcare.
And I'm really fussy about who, which venues I work with because we don't want to offerchildcare where it's a dangerous area for the children.
And for a start, we can't provide childcare in an open space.
(11:58):
We do our entertainer style setup in that space.
So I guess during like
entertaining, after the ceremony it's kind of like canopies and open and the parents areenjoying a drink and socialising and the children can just run around and enjoy the, I
guess, before they go into reception just enjoy that time.
We won't be able to provide full supervised care in that time.
(12:21):
Unless we're doing the nanny service where we've got one-on-one with a baby.
But for like an open space and a group of nannies.
we won't be able to provide that fully engaged check-in and check-out care until we goinside.
whether that be during canopy hour or when they go in to sit down at reception is when wewill do the check-in and we'll make sure parents are checking their children in, we'll
(12:48):
check that they've got everything they need for the day, if they've got their EpiPen, ifthey've got allergies, or we'll make sure we've got everything that we need and nannies
know exactly.
which child's which and we've got labels on things.
know we do, depending on the size, we'll have wristbands for different groups, becausewe'll have an older kind of group and then a younger kind of group and we'll have
(13:12):
different areas.
So we'll kind of separate them that way.
But then at the same time, we're still trying to keep them with their sibling because theywant to stay together.
then maybe beforehand in the planning, there's so much planning that goes into it, butwe'll make sure that...
parents let us know, or is there a cousin that they want to stay with?
And so we'll try and group them into their groups.
(13:33):
And I'm talking big weddings now, like if we're doing 35 children at a wedding orsomething like that, and we've got separate areas, maybe a baby area and outdoor area of
the bell tent, or like the indoor, in the room where it's like, just like mixed ages,because they want to be with their siblings, but we always have to make sure the older one
goes down to the younger group, because we can never have a baby in an older group.
(13:57):
So we'd have to keep them kind of together that way.
Okay.
Different ages require a different amount, like number of nannies or how does that work?
So our ratios are really...
So like Queensland standard is different to ours.
So we have, I guess, tighter ratios.
So we've got extra nannies to children.
(14:18):
So when they're, guess, under two, it's one and one.
So one and one for under 12 months and then one to two for under two.
But normally just one and one because we still need to give that one and one care becausethey run.
Yeah.
No, they're running two directions at the same time.
(14:39):
So we need to make sure and it's not a safe environment for children at a wedding.
There's so many things, even if we have risk assessed and even if we made sure everythingwas still going to be glass and beautiful kind of arrangements everywhere and you know,
like everything's perfect for a wedding.
It's beautiful.
But then there's children and there's a fountain over there and they want to run into thefountain and they
(15:04):
They want to.
Even like flower vases and stuff like that, which you can't risk assess prior.
And then all of a sudden there's a flower pot and it's sitting on top of this and like,yeah, if that fell that is a proper danger.
Yeah, so you have to be on your feet.
I say to my team, we always have to wear our running shoes when we go to a wedding becausesometimes you've got runners and you're running after them for 12 hours.
(15:25):
What does the team look like at Timmy Tam events?
So we're a small tight-knit team.
I think we've got about 15 of us at the moment.
And I've just built the team up over the years.
We all work really well together.
We chat before the event, make sure we go up in cars together and carpool and then planand always everyone ships in with their different ideas and activities and things like
(15:51):
that.
So I really love my team.
That's probably the best part about being able to...
run my business is choosing who I work with every day.
So yeah, my team are amazing.
And it's just, I guess, taken me just choosing the right people.
And we're all passionate about what we do.
And for childcare, like you see so many in the industry who are burnt out and they losetheir passion.
(16:17):
And for us, like it's something that we want to do at weekends.
Like we live and breathe looking after kids.
I don't know why, but like it would just.
It's inner child fun.
We get to blow bubbles and have like the best time all the time and not care.
So, you know, like, but not care what you look like to everyone else.
(16:37):
We're like, oh, listen over there.
And I just acting silly all the time.
So, yeah, our team, they all kind of have a different flair of what they can bring to it.
I've got a mix.
I've got yoga teachers.
I've got dance teachers.
I've got
the ones that love craft and being creative and I've got the ones that run group games andare really good at like group control.
(17:02):
So I kind of can get the mix right.
Being, I guess, me running it, I don't get to sit down and play with the children anymoreas much as I like to, because I'm too busy making sure everything else is going smoothly.
So for me to be able to see them doing the things that I love is like, great.
Like, and see their passion come, like,
(17:24):
My passion is going into kind of what they're delivering, but their passion is here andI'm just, ah, that just melts my heart.
It's like the best thing ever.
Yeah.
So when people will book, I'll just stick to the wedding side of things.
When they book your services, like how far out are they booking for an event?
Sometimes it's like a year in advance, my baby's not born yet.
(17:45):
We don't, you know, like, yeah, a year to two years, maybe sometimes.
And then I get a lot of last minute bookings when they're like, we need childcare at thewedding.
It's an afterthought a lot of the time.
And sometimes the venue will be like, you know, you need nannies.
So yes, we do both.
(18:06):
Like we secure bookings in advance, but like,
if it's six weeks out and they've they're booking the nanny then we'll have to workquickly to if it's a big one to be able to see if we can provide the service.
But yeah it can be anything.
But yeah I found on the year like for like now it's 2025 I'm getting all my inquiries forthis year.
(18:29):
Yeah.
What does the inquiry process look like?
you're, assuming you probably get, guess, maybe ages of the children that you need to lookafter.
Like, do you have any like, okay, Bobby loves, you know, loves yoga, loves frisbee,something like that.
Do get any of those kinds of things like with the questionnaire?
Yeah.
So they've got a pre-booking form and they can fill out all the information.
(18:49):
So it's like age, interest, dietary, any additional information, special requests and it'slike everything on the form.
And I say to the bride, like it needs to be filled out at least six weeks in advance.
So yeah, it could be different.
(19:10):
like just add to it as you go, like you don't have to fill it out.
And I guess when they start getting the RSVPs back and they tend to know which childrenare coming and who's not, and then we get all the information through then, but we do need
to know beforehand and we plan.
If we've got lots of information in there, we'll be able to plan, you know, if they'reinto Mario karts and racing, then we can do...
(19:37):
think we did a whole Mario theme one time, wacky races and all that.
So it was like, we can plan according to their interests.
If they like Lego and we can bring Lego, we can make sure we've got the things that theywant to do.
I got an inquiry, a booking form through today.
It said this little boy loves craft, but he hates coloring in.
(19:58):
So, okay, I know not to bring coloring in, but he likes craft.
We tried to stay away from paint.
Like we don't use paint at weddings and...
Yeah, we stick to like maybe play dough or sensory play and like sensory play is great.
But anything that's too messy, we won't do at weddings.
Cause I see my daughters all love craft.
So I'm already imagining that like, already know your team member, like, okay, cool.
(20:20):
You know, the girls she's six years old loves craft.
Like I'm assuming you like, you have this team member, you're like, you would be perfectfor this kind of role.
So it's so cool.
Like the kids can kind of feel catered to as well.
Not like, you know, a lot of time it is an afterthought, but they're rocking up and itdoesn't feel like an afterthought to them.
Yeah, it's all planned for them.
Yeah, yeah.
They've got their little bags with their name tags on them.
(20:40):
It's cute.
like my nannies, like, yeah, if they know they're into unicorns, they'll start pre-makingunicorn crowns and like bringing them with them and just like, yeah, just making it
magical for the children on the day.
Because weddings are boring and they're long and like for children, it's tedious.
Like the first part of the day, I guess it can be that they're tolerating it, they'resitting still for the ceremony, but then it gets to the
(21:07):
afterwards and they've been good all day and they just want to run around and they've gotall this kind of energy and there's nothing for them and they've, you know, so then
they're starting to like climb on things and try to do things because they're kids, theywant to, but it's not really appropriate at wedding and then they've got the speeches to
sit down through after and it's like, my goodness.
(21:27):
So yeah, to have a space where they can just be kids and play and have things that arekind of engaging for them is...
I just, think it helps not only like the bride and groom, it helps all the parents andeveryone that will be coming to the wedding because you want to be able to offer an area
(21:49):
that includes the children so the parents can stay until the end and not leave at 7pm whenthe children are like really playing off a little bit.
And the parents can actually be present as well.
It's like this one day where, know, like a hundred people who you really want to yourwedding day, but then 20 of them aren't really present because they're worrying.
Like I do it a little, I've got five young kids and you know, we go to a wedding.
(22:12):
It's like, our kids are really, really good.
But also I know I can't finish this conversation because I've like, I've got to go overthere in a second.
And same thing like having the dedicated space, especially reception weddings that I go onphotograph.
If there isn't that space, the kids will be underneath the table.
They'll have an iPad.
And they just kind of get parked there for like three hours watching an iPad underneaththe table.
And they're not enjoying it.
(22:33):
They could be at home doing that.
Unless there is a really interactive children's space at the wedding and that the brideand groom have organized themselves.
And that's amazing too.
You've put some thought into what the children can do.
yeah, childcare area for the children during the reception.
(22:56):
It doesn't mean that children don't get to be a part of the wedding.
Parents can come and check them.
out at any time, take them for a dance and they can enjoy parts of it.
We work with the guests and the bride and groom to each wedding.
They're all different.
So sometimes, yes, they want the children up at the cabin and we'll do dinner with them atthe cabin.
(23:16):
And then later the parents are coming back and they're bringing the children back to danceon the dance floor.
Because that's what they want.
And then maybe the younger ones stay there with the nannies and they can go to sleep andfollow their kind of normal bedtime routine.
Because it's a big day for them.
the best of both worlds because like yeah the kids dancing on the dance floor is supercute yeah but it's super cute for 15 minutes you know
(23:37):
And then you'd bring them back to the cabin.
You're done well.
Yeah.
Do you want to talk about, saw the amazing TP that you guys have as well.
Do want to talk about like that set up too?
Yeah, so I think you saw the open reflective cover.
So we actually have a whole bell tent as well.
So the bell tent can be like, so you saw the reflective cover, which is great.
(23:58):
It can be just temporary reflective cover, but in the evening it's probably not that greatbecause all the mosquitoes can get in and it's an open space and it's not really like you
can't have the projector on and do a movie because it's open.
The reflective cover goes over the bell tent.
So we've got beautiful bell tents, canvas tents that go up.
(24:20):
So depending on, I guess, the venue, if they've got a space for the childcare, that'sgreat.
Sometimes when there's so many children and they want the bell tent as well, or they justwant it for, I guess, afternoon during the canopy hour, afternoon kind of before they go
into reception, just like an area for the children to play.
So, yeah, we can be versatile with that.
(24:43):
So it can be just the open space or we can do the full tent and have it as like a movienight later in the evening as well.
So we can use it in different ways.
Or one time I've had it with six porticoes inside and it's just a sleeping den, like it'slittle fairy lights.
So you could kind of use it in any way.
(25:03):
But yeah, we kind of have mats inside, little activities in there for the children.
It's more of like a cosy, cute, magical space for them to play in.
Like I'm thinking of the kids like they'll be thinking about this wedding when they'reolder and they're like, yeah, do you remember that tent we went into and watched a movie?
Like it'd be so magic for them.
like, we're to go into this space and it's going to be this magical space at a wedding.
(25:26):
They're going to remember that more than the ceremony or more than, you know.
And that's the vibe we want.
We want for children to be like, wow, this day is magical.
And just to include them in the day and make it important for them too.
Cause it's beautiful.
Like weddings are beautiful and children being at the wedding is beautiful.
Like they're in their gorgeous little dresses or little page boy suits and they have thebest time and have like all the guests love seeing the children there, but it's just a
(25:56):
long day for them.
just to have the best of both worlds is the idea.
Would you have any advice for like couples they are really kind of going back and forththey don't have kids themselves but they are kind of going back and forth between like
should we allow kids at our wedding or shouldn't we?
I guess the advice is what do your guests need?
(26:20):
Because if you haven't got children yourself and you probably just thinking, okay, well,they can provide their own babysitters and they can just come to the wedding.
That was what I said when I got married.
was like, yeah, well, it's my wedding day.
I didn't want children at the wedding.
So if you've got that, I guess, focus or your...
(26:42):
opinion with that.
But then also think about, will the guests stay?
They probably go back early and then I'll be on the dance floor with not that, know, halfof the guests aren't there at the end of the night.
And this is when you want to enjoy those moments and these good times together.
Because I guess if their children aren't on site or if parents are worrying about theirchildren or if they haven't got their recommended trusted babysitter off site.
(27:12):
then it's just that ease to have.
it's really like, I'm fine with child-free weddings and it's nice to have, but it's also agood option to have if you don't have children as well.
I had a wedding not long ago in December.
The bride and groom didn't have any children, but they had 35 children at the wedding andthey did the whole set up.
(27:37):
Like we did four setups, 11 nannies and...
It was the best day for the children and it was everything.
All the parents had the best time because they knew they could just check in on their kidsthe whole time.
It was just so nice just to be able to have all these different areas for the children andthey could still have a good day.
(28:01):
And then parents could also enjoy themselves, chat away with everyone that they've notseen in so long and enjoy the day.
And even like with the kids, know, like if we have our children go to like say one nanny.
it works well, but like if there's like a bunch of kids going to like a few differentnannies, it's like they accept it more because they're all part of a group and they all
kind of they just assimilate with it like better as well.
(28:24):
And so rather than just like everyone, cool, you can't bring kids.
All right, well, we're gonna have to get an Airbnb and we'll get a nanny to stay up in theAirbnb with our kids.
That's a lot more awkward for the kids than if they were on site and they were part oflike a big group and we're all doing this together.
You know, they love it.
Yeah, I mean, we do that as well, though.
So sometimes they don't want in the venue, like I said before, it's probably not childsafe.
(28:47):
They don't have a room that we can use.
So then we say, well, we can do offsite childcare.
We can still do a place set up and all the children can still be combined at the Airbnb.
So then that way, and we've done it where they're like walking distance as well.
So we could actually go to the wedding, get the children, take them back to the Airbnb andthen have kids club at the Airbnb.
(29:10):
That's so cool.
And then like if parents really wanted to come back for a little check-in, they could justcome back and have a check-in and then come back as well.
Yeah.
That's amazing.
That's only if it's walking distance.
But yeah, there's many venues who have like cabins as well.
We kind of do that set up like we'll have the play space up at the cabin.
So it's not taking up any space in the Canavay hour.
(29:30):
Cause that's, I guess also with that, we're setting up at Canavay outside, but then wemove it inside when they go inside.
And so we're movable.
The play space can move unless it's the tent and then that stays.
Do a lot of people like, okay, would you get a lot of like private property weddings?
(29:52):
I'm imagining like if people want the big bell tent, there's a lot of that kind of work aswell.
Not really.
Yeah.
We've done private property events, but not weddings.
So we do like a 40th birthday on a private property, do bell tents.
But yeah, I haven't done it on a wedding before.
Yeah, we have.
(30:12):
We've done a couple.
We've done a couple back before COVID.
Yeah, that was a long time ago.
But yeah, we've done like the bell tents set up at a private property somewhere down onthe Gold Coast.
And yeah, so we do both.
And is it like a lot of similar wet venues that you're working at a lot then?
Yeah, yeah.
(30:32):
One of our main venues is two hours away, Gabenbauer Homestead in Toowoomba.
Yeah, yeah, love that venue.
And they're just amazing with, I guess, that online portal, the team always calling me up.
They're the ones that we were able to raise and plan together a 35 children wedding withfour different separate areas.
(30:54):
And just, I guess, working with the on-team coordinators.
at venues as well is important to be able to say, can you send me your fire policy,evacuation policy, all that, or can you send me the map of the venue so I can suss out
this and so we're prepared.
(31:15):
And then letting them know these children will be wearing yellow, this is the yellow room,they're gonna be eating in this room, so then they know where to take the food.
So there's so much liaising beforehand if you're planning.
for a big group.
I guess they do a lot of like destination weddings.
I guess that.
coming from somewhere, right?
(31:35):
And they're staying in Toowoomba.
And that's such a good service for them.
Like, oh, you can imagine all those families coming and they're like, Oh, imagine tryingto like out of the state or out of the country, trying to organize a nanny service.
It'd be so hard.
And like to even like, how do we know who to trust?
Um, so that is so good that I can kind of keep that all in the house, essentially.
I come here and then we've got these people, they, they, all the weddings we do, they lookafter all the kids.
(31:59):
That's such a good little service.
Yeah, it's good.
And it makes my life easier as well because they can just be like, I recommend thissupplier for childcare.
And every time we can just work with the venue as well as the bride to be able to createthe space that they want.
So we're not kind of getting in the way on the day for the wedding, I guess, in the venue.
(32:21):
We're doing what, because they already know our plan.
We create our own run sheet and then we work with their run sheet and we just combine ourservices.
And like, would it, when we, saw you had like, you know, you the bubbles and you had thehula hoops and everything like that.
Is there kind of like a standard set up of, like I'd say toys and attractions that you'dbring to a wedding?
Bubbles is really good.
(32:42):
Always a winner, especially if you're bride or nanny as well and you're doing like thebeforehand and the after and then during the canopy hour when they're getting photos done.
Bubbles we have like in the background behind the photographers to make the childrensmile.
So like Bubbles is always in our little nanny pack.
(33:03):
Like that's something we've got.
And yeah, Hula Hoops, depending on...
The venue, if there's an outdoor set up, we'll have the hula hoops and a few differentoutdoor games like Giant Jenga or Giant Knots and Crusts and all these kind of giant
things that look good when they're outside.
And then we've got, I guess, like a sensory play area on a craft table.
(33:27):
So it's normally kinetic sand or orbs, I think was there that day, or Play-Doh.
Children love sensory play and it's always, I guess.
a way to bring them together as a group.
We tend to do group games and just have fun with little animals and little finger puppets.
got my little finger puppets with me today.
(33:49):
So these are my mascots.
So Timmy is the bear and Tammy's the bunny.
I've been around since the beginning.
Yeah, mean, Tammy's got a bit of wax on her because crayons smell in the car.
But yeah, no.
So we have like, guess, imaginative play and different things to kind of engage thechildren, cars, toys, depending on their interest as well.
(34:14):
just bring, I've got like a whole garage warehouse kind of thing that our team can go andjust choose what they like for an event specified for the children that we've got
attending.
Especially with like there's so many different, I guess, like teaching styles andeverything.
Like my kids go to a style in school and you know, the toys that they have at their schoolis very different to say like a mainstream public school.
(34:34):
And so like even like being able to cater to those needs as well.
Yeah.
Like it sounds really cool.
Like, yeah.
Like when I was there that day and you've got the Lego, like you said, for like some youngboys might really love this Lego over here.
Yeah.
To be able to cater to each person.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Steiner philosophy and I actually Montessori.
So I'm a Montessori educator and that was my past.
(34:54):
so Steiner and Montessori like it's just beautiful like wooden real life kind of toys thatthe children just love.
And so I try and incorporate that.
I try and incorporate nature.
I'm very outdoorsy.
the turn and like the outdoors.
So we find sticks and leaves and like can use that as our like.
play area with the dinosaurs or like whatever we've got, we just create like a dino worldor a fairy kingdom, but we kind of incorporate little bits of nature.
(35:22):
And yeah, I guess there is so many different types of children with like different playbackgrounds with what they've got.
So we have, I guess, open play where they can kind of just create their own worlds andthings like that.
yeah, I know.
What does the team, like I know you've got like the team of nannies.
(35:45):
What does a team like seem very busy?
The team behind the business actually look like.
it just you?
Yeah, I mean, my team are really helpful.
I guess we did the event a couple of weeks ago where we were running teen club and kidsclub and each team member were able to write up their own, I'm going to do dance and I'm
(36:09):
going to do this and bring this with me and stuff like that.
But I kind of do all the organising and say.
All right, this is the program.
This is what we'll do.
We're to do yoga and this and that.
And then they kind of bring their ideas.
And we had one guy who is all about connecting and like school teacher kind of with likethe teenagers.
(36:34):
So we had him doing like group kind of connecting games and what was it?
Like escape rooms?
Because it's teenagers.
So we were like, OK, well, we're going to try and do like things.
they're all trapped in the room for 30 minutes.
Not really, they can get out.
It's okay.
But they've got a time limit and they've got to go through different tests to get out.
(36:55):
Just having, I guess, everyone's talents.
So I can't do it all.
I can't run yoga, dance, escape rooms, sensory play.
So the girls who are on craft, they can bring their craft ideas in.
I had one artist teacher, she's beautiful and she created like a mural.
So a big, this was not a wedding, it was painting, a big collaborative mural where we'reall working together to paint.
(37:24):
It was a zebra theme, so yeah, zebra theme mural based on the conference theme that wasworking together in teamwork.
we was incorporating the theme of the conference.
But yeah, it's just good to see their passion shine through and they're all...
kind of running their own little businesses too, whether they are yoga teachers or danceteachers or things so they understand and they get it.
(37:51):
So even if it is just me like doing all the emails and behind the scenes, I still feellike my team are all kind of there with me and supporting me.
And if I'm like, okay, well, let's create some content together.
Do you want to like talk to me?
Like we're trying, we're not very good at the social media, but I'm trying.
Oh, you're doing a great job.
It's popping up all the time.
I've always seen it.
(38:12):
Yeah, I'm trying to get myself out there a bit.
I don't like to get in front of the camera or chat and be like, oh, Roxy from Timmy andTammy.
It's really hard for me to do that.
But at the same time, they're the ones that like, people relate and be like, yeah, sothey're the ones that I need to do more of.
(38:33):
It's almost like people need to relate.
It's like photographers, videographers and yourself are probably, or maybe celebrants areprobably the highest, like people need to connect with you because like they're
entrusting, you know, children with you.
And as soon as they see your face and you talking to them, then all of a sudden like thattrust is just there.
and I think that's so important to have the trust.
Well, you can't you can't book someone that you don't trust.
(38:54):
So yeah, to have the trust there first is really important.
All right, well, where can people find you on the social medias and the website andeverything like that?
Timmy and Tammy events, think, underscore events on socials.
And www.timmyandtammie.com is my website.
And if you are interested in, I guess, finding out a little bit about our services, we cansend you our info pack with different options that we can include, whether you want the
(39:22):
full works for the whole day event or whether you just want reception, or we just, wealways talk to the bride beforehand and make sure we know exactly what they're after
before the event.
Yeah, we plan to, whether it's a child free or a child friendly wedding, we can work withboth because our nannies can go off site too.
So yeah, that's, guess, where you can find me.
(39:43):
Awesome.
Thank you so much for coming on.
Thank you for having think that's like people have been asking about this forever.
you know, like I haven't had anyone from childcare on here.
So I think this will be really valuable to couples as well.
So thank you very much.
Thanks for tuning into the Wedco podcast.
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(40:06):
New episodes drop every week, so be sure to join us next time for more weddinginspiration, tips and stories.
Until then, happy planning and we'll see you soon.
Welcome to the Wedco podcast, your ultimate guide to the wedding world.
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truly means the world.
and welcome to the word co podcast.
I'm Toga.
And today we were at cooler bar downs, private estate, and I've got Roxy from Timmy andTammy events on the couch with me.
(00:49):
Really appreciate it.
After I saw you down at tall trees, like I've seen you around a little bit.
And I get that constant question, should we have kids?
Should we not have kids at the wedding?
So I thought you're a perfect person to have on.
We usually kind of start with a little bit of a backstory of your brand, kind of how yougot into weddings and that evolution.
So I got married here in Australia.
So I'm originally from the UK.
(01:11):
when I came out, I wasn't really, I didn't know how to do weddings.
was about 10 years ago now when I got married.
So, and it was all very, I think like I've learned over the years now, if I was to do itagain, how I would do the wedding, but I didn't have childcare at my wedding and it wasn't
a service I could look for.
I had family coming from the UK.
(01:33):
had my husband's family coming from interstate with little ones that wanted to come to thewedding.
I was very, no children at my wedding.
I want it to be about us and us to have a good time.
But then at the same time, I still had some in the bridal party that did have children andI wanted like my nieces and nephews and things in the wedding too.
So, yeah, I just felt from like my own experience of not being able to offer that serviceand because
(02:00):
people were travelling, didn't have recommended babysitters that they could trust to thechildren with offsite.
Yeah, definitely.
And being in the childcare industry myself as well.
So I've always worked with children and I know that, you know, it's important.
Yeah.
Like for me, it is important to be able to incorporate and have an opportunity for thechildren to have a good time too.
(02:20):
Yeah.
So yeah, it was like a no brainer and I moved to the Gold Coast.
So we was in Adelaide when we got married and we moved to the Gold Coast and
It was just an idea and it was just something that I had in my head.
And then I was working in childcare.
I was working in a childcare center and running kind of the business on the side.
(02:40):
So I started it over here and I thought, you know, it's a good idea.
It was something that was more done in the UK, but not over here at all.
No one was doing it on the Gold Coast.
yeah, I just brought it over here when I moved to the Gold Coast.
Brand new, didn't know anyone, didn't know.
have like any kind of links with any of the wedding industry, but I just wanted to providechildcare at weddings because I knew that it was a needed service to be able to
(03:03):
incorporate for all your guests that are coming as well.
Especially if people are like you said coming from interstate or from just not from localIt's so hard like especially to kind of go through say like an agency and you're like,
yeah take my kid Like you know what mean?
Like it's such a hard thing like unless you're at home, you know who you trust You knowwho you align with?
Whereas like coming to weddings.
(03:23):
It's people can't be prepared for that is that like as far as like it just you know, don'teven know if it's like in interstate or you know, Melbourne or Sydney if it is a service
but just that like it's been it's been a
a thing ever since I started 13 years ago, there was always a question of like, like, wedon't want to have kids at our wedding.
But then also my sister has a young kid and they have to come.
(03:44):
Like it was, it was always been an issue since I've ever been in the wedding industry.
And for like, for you to be like, I can offer something there.
Like what was that first thought like?
Yeah, well, I guess coming from the childcare industry.
was my first thought was like, okay, well, I know how to provide childcare.
I'm very good at it.
That's my passion.
(04:05):
That's what I really enjoy.
And I've always in the UK as well, I was running kind of events.
I was group leader for children going on holiday into different kids camps.
So we'd do water sports activities and stuff.
I would...
liaised with the coach driver and the teacher and the school group and try and plan theirtrip while they were on their camp.
(04:30):
So I was doing that with children and organizing events.
when I studied, I studied travel and tourism and all I wanted to do was travel.
And then I was like, but I want to do childcare as well.
And so I did that as well.
And then came over here working in childcare.
I just brought the events and childcare together and was able to just run with it.
(04:51):
So we just slowly, only very slowly, I was always working as well.
And then kind of on weekends, we were doing childcare at the weddings and yeah, for aboutsix years.
And then during COVID that happened, I pivoted.
(05:12):
was like, do I do?
There's, you only have 12 people at your wedding.
There's all these rules around it.
There was no children.
So a lot of cancellations or postponed weddings happened at that time.
So yeah, you started with the yoga teacher training as well.
Yeah, I don't know why I pivoted to that.
we so I incorporated the yoga after Covid and then we did one on one yoga coaching.
(05:37):
my gosh, I'm really missing this.
So, yeah, so my journey started.
We did the weddings at weekends and I was still working full time for a few years and Iwasn't going all out in Timmy and Tammy just yet.
I was scared to take the leap, Building my team, of getting my foot in the door, sussingit out.
(06:02):
We didn't just do weddings, we did all corporate events, so like conferences, parties.
And you still kind of do all events as well, like not just weddings.
Yep.
Yeah, so we did a huge event last weekend where it was a two-day program for a conferenceand they came in from the UK and America and all over the world to provide and we provided
(06:23):
like a teens club with 10 staff and then kids club and it was amazing and it was reallylike so we work with the venues, we work with the hotels, we work with the event
organizers to create what they're looking for.
So whether it's a wedding or a corporate event or a 40th birthday or something where they
do need childcare.
And I guess how I differentiate what I provide is we're not entertainers, like we're notdressing up as Elsa and being magical and offering kind of an entertainment service.
(06:53):
We're actually qualified childcare is looking after your children in a safe environment atthe wedding or at the corporate event, where that's like a check in and check out policy.
And we've got all the procedures in place.
So it's basically like a childcare center in the venue where we
can look after the children, we've got all their information, their dietary, theirallergies, everything that we need to know beforehand.
(07:15):
And then on the day we're able to assist with everything from the start to the end,whether they're little ones and they need nap time and nappy changes and all that, our
nannies are able to do that.
And then more like entertainer is you just go in there as an entertainer, but you're notreally supervising the children.
Like that'd be alongside like, you know, childcare, like you'd have like your team there,but then you would also have an entertainer that takes on that role.
(07:40):
Yeah.
and sometimes they want, depending on the wedding, but sometimes they want onlyentertainers to provide entertainment for the children.
They want the parents to still be looking after their children and the children just to begoing back and forth and maybe when they're a little bit older, that's fine.
It's normally for the younger ones that need the nanny or if they don't choose to have thenanny, then the younger ones stay with their parents.
(08:03):
So what would a typical day look like?
Because I know I get to bride prep and it can be, you know, sometime pretty stressful.
Where like you said, like, you know, kids do need naps or they kind of like mums trying toget her hair and makeup done.
And there's like little kids kind of around here.
Yeah.
Like you can start from essentially the start of the day your services.
Yeah.
so we've got the bride or nanny service.
So if the bride's got her own children and she wants them to be a part of the day, they'rea part of the wedding, but then they don't really want to be doing mum roles on that day
(08:32):
or grandparents don't really want to be taken over either.
And it's what I say from the get go is like if the bride is does have her own children anddoesn't think about
free ceremony kind of care and they just want, I do say, oh, you know, it's probably agood idea for the nanny to come earlier because one, they're building rapport with the
children from the beginning.
(08:53):
So we can, the nanny and the child is comfortable with each other when it comes toreception later and they're not with their parents and they're in a separate children's
area and you know, it's, they- Person you've not even met yet.
Yeah.
So.
So yeah, if you're a bride and you've got your own children and you want them to be a partof the day, but you don't want to be, well, you won't be able to anyway for a start
(09:18):
because it's such a busy schedule for the bride with hair and makeup and everyone and it'sjust such a crazy day, then to bring your own children in the mix and it's really hard.
So we're just that extra pair of hands that come in the morning.
We find out the babies.
or the children's kind of like schedule for the day.
It's always different on the day of the wedding.
It's like, they've had a late night or on holiday.
(09:39):
Like we're staying in the hotel, time differences.
There's so many different elements.
So we're like, okay, well, is nap time normal?
Like we know what time nap time is, but is it normally, you know, it's like 11 a.m.
But today it was probably going to be because they woke up really early.
So they'd probably go down at 10.
And so we kind of plan it by on the day, making sure.
checking and we bring activities, come to the Airbnb if they're getting ready in theAirbnb or we go to the Bridal Retreat on venue and we just support in on hand.
(10:07):
So an extra pair of hands to help and we do nap times, do feeding, getting them dressed,entertaining and then he's bringing like a little entertainers basket full of goodies and
toys and activities based on their ages and interests on the day.
And so we're building rapport on the day, we're getting their trust and we're justhelping.
(10:27):
And it's really nice.
The children can still be a part of it when they want to be, but then we can also takethem when they need that nap time and get them ready for the wedding and et cetera.
because there are so many times where, know, like mum or dad of the bride or groom or,whoever it is, they're the ones who end up kind of looking after the children.
And the amount of times like there'll be a ceremony and you see, you know, grandma walkingoff with the child because, know, they're starting to make noise.
(10:53):
And now all of a sudden mum misses out on the ceremony.
Do you find many brides are kind of booking your service for other people at the weddingas well?
Yeah, yeah, so there's other times where the bride and groom, they don't have anychildren, but they've got lots of children coming to the wedding.
So they want a book for the children that are going to be at the wedding.
(11:14):
So then that's when we provide our event childcare kind of setups, so our play space.
And we work with the venue.
We make sure that the safe that it's a safe environment for our setups first.
Whether we go there first and risk assess the venue, if it's a new one that we've notworked with before.
or if there's a new venue, I'll make sure I do a site tour and check in and just see thespaces.
(11:37):
If it's not a safe area where there's like maybe cliff edges or ponds or open water andstuff, then we won't be able to provide our childcare.
And I'm really fussy about who, which venues I work with because we don't want to offerchildcare where it's a dangerous area for the children.
And for a start, we can't provide childcare in an open space.
(11:58):
We do our entertainer style setup in that space.
So I guess during like
entertaining, after the ceremony it's kind of like canopies and open and the parents areenjoying a drink and socialising and the children can just run around and enjoy the, I
guess, before they go into reception just enjoy that time.
We won't be able to provide full supervised care in that time.
(12:21):
Unless we're doing the nanny service where we've got one-on-one with a baby.
But for like an open space and a group of nannies.
we won't be able to provide that fully engaged check-in and check-out care until we goinside.
whether that be during canopy hour or when they go in to sit down at reception is when wewill do the check-in and we'll make sure parents are checking their children in, we'll
(12:48):
check that they've got everything they need for the day, if they've got their EpiPen, ifthey've got allergies, or we'll make sure we've got everything that we need and nannies
know exactly.
which child's which and we've got labels on things.
know we do, depending on the size, we'll have wristbands for different groups, becausewe'll have an older kind of group and then a younger kind of group and we'll have
(13:12):
different areas.
So we'll kind of separate them that way.
But then at the same time, we're still trying to keep them with their sibling because theywant to stay together.
then maybe beforehand in the planning, there's so much planning that goes into it, butwe'll make sure that...
parents let us know, or is there a cousin that they want to stay with?
And so we'll try and group them into their groups.
(13:33):
And I'm talking big weddings now, like if we're doing 35 children at a wedding orsomething like that, and we've got separate areas, maybe a baby area and outdoor area of
the bell tent, or like the indoor, in the room where it's like, just like mixed ages,because they want to be with their siblings, but we always have to make sure the older one
goes down to the younger group, because we can never have a baby in an older group.
(13:57):
So we'd have to keep them kind of together that way.
Okay.
Different ages require a different amount, like number of nannies or how does that work?
So our ratios are really...
So like Queensland standard is different to ours.
So we have, I guess, tighter ratios.
So we've got extra nannies to children.
(14:18):
So when they're, guess, under two, it's one and one.
So one and one for under 12 months and then one to two for under two.
But normally just one and one because we still need to give that one and one care becausethey run.
Yeah.
No, they're running two directions at the same time.
(14:39):
So we need to make sure and it's not a safe environment for children at a wedding.
There's so many things, even if we have risk assessed and even if we made sure everythingwas still going to be glass and beautiful kind of arrangements everywhere and you know,
like everything's perfect for a wedding.
It's beautiful.
But then there's children and there's a fountain over there and they want to run into thefountain and they
(15:04):
They want to.
Even like flower vases and stuff like that, which you can't risk assess prior.
And then all of a sudden there's a flower pot and it's sitting on top of this and like,yeah, if that fell that is a proper danger.
Yeah, so you have to be on your feet.
I say to my team, we always have to wear our running shoes when we go to a wedding becausesometimes you've got runners and you're running after them for 12 hours.
(15:25):
What does the team look like at Timmy Tam events?
So we're a small tight-knit team.
I think we've got about 15 of us at the moment.
And I've just built the team up over the years.
We all work really well together.
We chat before the event, make sure we go up in cars together and carpool and then planand always everyone ships in with their different ideas and activities and things like
(15:51):
that.
So I really love my team.
That's probably the best part about being able to...
run my business is choosing who I work with every day.
So yeah, my team are amazing.
And it's just, I guess, taken me just choosing the right people.
And we're all passionate about what we do.
And for childcare, like you see so many in the industry who are burnt out and they losetheir passion.
(16:17):
And for us, like it's something that we want to do at weekends.
Like we live and breathe looking after kids.
I don't know why, but like it would just.
It's inner child fun.
We get to blow bubbles and have like the best time all the time and not care.
So, you know, like, but not care what you look like to everyone else.
(16:37):
We're like, oh, listen over there.
And I just acting silly all the time.
So, yeah, our team, they all kind of have a different flair of what they can bring to it.
I've got a mix.
I've got yoga teachers.
I've got dance teachers.
I've got
the ones that love craft and being creative and I've got the ones that run group games andare really good at like group control.
(17:02):
So I kind of can get the mix right.
Being, I guess, me running it, I don't get to sit down and play with the children anymoreas much as I like to, because I'm too busy making sure everything else is going smoothly.
So for me to be able to see them doing the things that I love is like, great.
Like, and see their passion come, like,
(17:24):
My passion is going into kind of what they're delivering, but their passion is here andI'm just, ah, that just melts my heart.
It's like the best thing ever.
Yeah.
So when people will book, I'll just stick to the wedding side of things.
When they book your services, like how far out are they booking for an event?
Sometimes it's like a year in advance, my baby's not born yet.
(17:45):
We don't, you know, like, yeah, a year to two years, maybe sometimes.
And then I get a lot of last minute bookings when they're like, we need childcare at thewedding.
It's an afterthought a lot of the time.
And sometimes the venue will be like, you know, you need nannies.
So yes, we do both.
(18:06):
Like we secure bookings in advance, but like,
if it's six weeks out and they've they're booking the nanny then we'll have to workquickly to if it's a big one to be able to see if we can provide the service.
But yeah it can be anything.
But yeah I found on the year like for like now it's 2025 I'm getting all my inquiries forthis year.
(18:29):
Yeah.
What does the inquiry process look like?
you're, assuming you probably get, guess, maybe ages of the children that you need to lookafter.
Like, do you have any like, okay, Bobby loves, you know, loves yoga, loves frisbee,something like that.
Do get any of those kinds of things like with the questionnaire?
Yeah.
So they've got a pre-booking form and they can fill out all the information.
(18:49):
So it's like age, interest, dietary, any additional information, special requests and it'slike everything on the form.
And I say to the bride, like it needs to be filled out at least six weeks in advance.
So yeah, it could be different.
(19:10):
like just add to it as you go, like you don't have to fill it out.
And I guess when they start getting the RSVPs back and they tend to know which childrenare coming and who's not, and then we get all the information through then, but we do need
to know beforehand and we plan.
If we've got lots of information in there, we'll be able to plan, you know, if they'reinto Mario karts and racing, then we can do...
(19:37):
think we did a whole Mario theme one time, wacky races and all that.
So it was like, we can plan according to their interests.
If they like Lego and we can bring Lego, we can make sure we've got the things that theywant to do.
I got an inquiry, a booking form through today.
It said this little boy loves craft, but he hates coloring in.
(19:58):
So, okay, I know not to bring coloring in, but he likes craft.
We tried to stay away from paint.
Like we don't use paint at weddings and...
Yeah, we stick to like maybe play dough or sensory play and like sensory play is great.
But anything that's too messy, we won't do at weddings.
Cause I see my daughters all love craft.
So I'm already imagining that like, already know your team member, like, okay, cool.
(20:20):
You know, the girls she's six years old loves craft.
Like I'm assuming you like, you have this team member, you're like, you would be perfectfor this kind of role.
So it's so cool.
Like the kids can kind of feel catered to as well.
Not like, you know, a lot of time it is an afterthought, but they're rocking up and itdoesn't feel like an afterthought to them.
Yeah, it's all planned for them.
Yeah, yeah.
They've got their little bags with their name tags on them.
(20:40):
It's cute.
like my nannies, like, yeah, if they know they're into unicorns, they'll start pre-makingunicorn crowns and like bringing them with them and just like, yeah, just making it
magical for the children on the day.
Because weddings are boring and they're long and like for children, it's tedious.
Like the first part of the day, I guess it can be that they're tolerating it, they'resitting still for the ceremony, but then it gets to the
(21:07):
afterwards and they've been good all day and they just want to run around and they've gotall this kind of energy and there's nothing for them and they've, you know, so then
they're starting to like climb on things and try to do things because they're kids, theywant to, but it's not really appropriate at wedding and then they've got the speeches to
sit down through after and it's like, my goodness.
(21:27):
So yeah, to have a space where they can just be kids and play and have things that arekind of engaging for them is...
I just, think it helps not only like the bride and groom, it helps all the parents andeveryone that will be coming to the wedding because you want to be able to offer an area
(21:49):
that includes the children so the parents can stay until the end and not leave at 7pm whenthe children are like really playing off a little bit.
And the parents can actually be present as well.
It's like this one day where, know, like a hundred people who you really want to yourwedding day, but then 20 of them aren't really present because they're worrying.
Like I do it a little, I've got five young kids and you know, we go to a wedding.
(22:12):
It's like, our kids are really, really good.
But also I know I can't finish this conversation because I've like, I've got to go overthere in a second.
And same thing like having the dedicated space, especially reception weddings that I go onphotograph.
If there isn't that space, the kids will be underneath the table.
They'll have an iPad.
And they just kind of get parked there for like three hours watching an iPad underneaththe table.
And they're not enjoying it.
(22:33):
They could be at home doing that.
Unless there is a really interactive children's space at the wedding and that the brideand groom have organized themselves.
And that's amazing too.
You've put some thought into what the children can do.
yeah, childcare area for the children during the reception.
(22:56):
It doesn't mean that children don't get to be a part of the wedding.
Parents can come and check them.
out at any time, take them for a dance and they can enjoy parts of it.
We work with the guests and the bride and groom to each wedding.
They're all different.
So sometimes, yes, they want the children up at the cabin and we'll do dinner with them atthe cabin.
(23:16):
And then later the parents are coming back and they're bringing the children back to danceon the dance floor.
Because that's what they want.
And then maybe the younger ones stay there with the nannies and they can go to sleep andfollow their kind of normal bedtime routine.
Because it's a big day for them.
the best of both worlds because like yeah the kids dancing on the dance floor is supercute yeah but it's super cute for 15 minutes you know
(23:37):
And then you'd bring them back to the cabin.
You're done well.
Yeah.
Do you want to talk about, saw the amazing TP that you guys have as well.
Do want to talk about like that set up too?
Yeah, so I think you saw the open reflective cover.
So we actually have a whole bell tent as well.
So the bell tent can be like, so you saw the reflective cover, which is great.
(23:58):
It can be just temporary reflective cover, but in the evening it's probably not that greatbecause all the mosquitoes can get in and it's an open space and it's not really like you
can't have the projector on and do a movie because it's open.
The reflective cover goes over the bell tent.
So we've got beautiful bell tents, canvas tents that go up.
(24:20):
So depending on, I guess, the venue, if they've got a space for the childcare, that'sgreat.
Sometimes when there's so many children and they want the bell tent as well, or they justwant it for, I guess, afternoon during the canopy hour, afternoon kind of before they go
into reception, just like an area for the children to play.
So, yeah, we can be versatile with that.
(24:43):
So it can be just the open space or we can do the full tent and have it as like a movienight later in the evening as well.
So we can use it in different ways.
Or one time I've had it with six porticoes inside and it's just a sleeping den, like it'slittle fairy lights.
So you could kind of use it in any way.
(25:03):
But yeah, we kind of have mats inside, little activities in there for the children.
It's more of like a cosy, cute, magical space for them to play in.
Like I'm thinking of the kids like they'll be thinking about this wedding when they'reolder and they're like, yeah, do you remember that tent we went into and watched a movie?
Like it'd be so magic for them.
like, we're to go into this space and it's going to be this magical space at a wedding.
(25:26):
They're going to remember that more than the ceremony or more than, you know.
And that's the vibe we want.
We want for children to be like, wow, this day is magical.
And just to include them in the day and make it important for them too.
Cause it's beautiful.
Like weddings are beautiful and children being at the wedding is beautiful.
Like they're in their gorgeous little dresses or little page boy suits and they have thebest time and have like all the guests love seeing the children there, but it's just a
(25:56):
long day for them.
just to have the best of both worlds is the idea.
Would you have any advice for like couples they are really kind of going back and forththey don't have kids themselves but they are kind of going back and forth between like
should we allow kids at our wedding or shouldn't we?
I guess the advice is what do your guests need?
(26:20):
Because if you haven't got children yourself and you probably just thinking, okay, well,they can provide their own babysitters and they can just come to the wedding.
That was what I said when I got married.
was like, yeah, well, it's my wedding day.
I didn't want children at the wedding.
So if you've got that, I guess, focus or your...
(26:42):
opinion with that.
But then also think about, will the guests stay?
They probably go back early and then I'll be on the dance floor with not that, know, halfof the guests aren't there at the end of the night.
And this is when you want to enjoy those moments and these good times together.
Because I guess if their children aren't on site or if parents are worrying about theirchildren or if they haven't got their recommended trusted babysitter off site.
(27:12):
then it's just that ease to have.
it's really like, I'm fine with child-free weddings and it's nice to have, but it's also agood option to have if you don't have children as well.
I had a wedding not long ago in December.
The bride and groom didn't have any children, but they had 35 children at the wedding andthey did the whole set up.
(27:37):
Like we did four setups, 11 nannies and...
It was the best day for the children and it was everything.
All the parents had the best time because they knew they could just check in on their kidsthe whole time.
It was just so nice just to be able to have all these different areas for the children andthey could still have a good day.
(28:01):
And then parents could also enjoy themselves, chat away with everyone that they've notseen in so long and enjoy the day.
And even like with the kids, know, like if we have our children go to like say one nanny.
it works well, but like if there's like a bunch of kids going to like a few differentnannies, it's like they accept it more because they're all part of a group and they all
kind of they just assimilate with it like better as well.
(28:24):
And so rather than just like everyone, cool, you can't bring kids.
All right, well, we're gonna have to get an Airbnb and we'll get a nanny to stay up in theAirbnb with our kids.
That's a lot more awkward for the kids than if they were on site and they were part oflike a big group and we're all doing this together.
You know, they love it.
Yeah, I mean, we do that as well, though.
So sometimes they don't want in the venue, like I said before, it's probably not childsafe.
(28:47):
They don't have a room that we can use.
So then we say, well, we can do offsite childcare.
We can still do a place set up and all the children can still be combined at the Airbnb.
So then that way, and we've done it where they're like walking distance as well.
So we could actually go to the wedding, get the children, take them back to the Airbnb andthen have kids club at the Airbnb.
(29:10):
That's so cool.
And then like if parents really wanted to come back for a little check-in, they could justcome back and have a check-in and then come back as well.
Yeah.
That's amazing.
That's only if it's walking distance.
But yeah, there's many venues who have like cabins as well.
We kind of do that set up like we'll have the play space up at the cabin.
So it's not taking up any space in the Canavay hour.
(29:30):
Cause that's, I guess also with that, we're setting up at Canavay outside, but then wemove it inside when they go inside.
And so we're movable.
The play space can move unless it's the tent and then that stays.
Do a lot of people like, okay, would you get a lot of like private property weddings?
(29:52):
I'm imagining like if people want the big bell tent, there's a lot of that kind of work aswell.
Not really.
Yeah.
We've done private property events, but not weddings.
So we do like a 40th birthday on a private property, do bell tents.
But yeah, I haven't done it on a wedding before.
Yeah, we have.
(30:12):
We've done a couple.
We've done a couple back before COVID.
Yeah, that was a long time ago.
But yeah, we've done like the bell tents set up at a private property somewhere down onthe Gold Coast.
And yeah, so we do both.
And is it like a lot of similar wet venues that you're working at a lot then?
Yeah, yeah.
(30:32):
One of our main venues is two hours away, Gabenbauer Homestead in Toowoomba.
Yeah, yeah, love that venue.
And they're just amazing with, I guess, that online portal, the team always calling me up.
They're the ones that we were able to raise and plan together a 35 children wedding withfour different separate areas.
(30:54):
And just, I guess, working with the on-team coordinators.
at venues as well is important to be able to say, can you send me your fire policy,evacuation policy, all that, or can you send me the map of the venue so I can suss out
this and so we're prepared.
(31:15):
And then letting them know these children will be wearing yellow, this is the yellow room,they're gonna be eating in this room, so then they know where to take the food.
So there's so much liaising beforehand if you're planning.
for a big group.
I guess they do a lot of like destination weddings.
I guess that.
coming from somewhere, right?
(31:35):
And they're staying in Toowoomba.
And that's such a good service for them.
Like, oh, you can imagine all those families coming and they're like, Oh, imagine tryingto like out of the state or out of the country, trying to organize a nanny service.
It'd be so hard.
And like to even like, how do we know who to trust?
Um, so that is so good that I can kind of keep that all in the house, essentially.
I come here and then we've got these people, they, they, all the weddings we do, they lookafter all the kids.
(31:59):
That's such a good little service.
Yeah, it's good.
And it makes my life easier as well because they can just be like, I recommend thissupplier for childcare.
And every time we can just work with the venue as well as the bride to be able to createthe space that they want.
So we're not kind of getting in the way on the day for the wedding, I guess, in the venue.
(32:21):
We're doing what, because they already know our plan.
We create our own run sheet and then we work with their run sheet and we just combine ourservices.
And like, would it, when we, saw you had like, you know, you the bubbles and you had thehula hoops and everything like that.
Is there kind of like a standard set up of, like I'd say toys and attractions that you'dbring to a wedding?
Bubbles is really good.
(32:42):
Always a winner, especially if you're bride or nanny as well and you're doing like thebeforehand and the after and then during the canopy hour when they're getting photos done.
Bubbles we have like in the background behind the photographers to make the childrensmile.
So like Bubbles is always in our little nanny pack.
(33:03):
Like that's something we've got.
And yeah, Hula Hoops, depending on...
The venue, if there's an outdoor set up, we'll have the hula hoops and a few differentoutdoor games like Giant Jenga or Giant Knots and Crusts and all these kind of giant
things that look good when they're outside.
And then we've got, I guess, like a sensory play area on a craft table.
(33:27):
So it's normally kinetic sand or orbs, I think was there that day, or Play-Doh.
Children love sensory play and it's always, I guess.
a way to bring them together as a group.
We tend to do group games and just have fun with little animals and little finger puppets.
got my little finger puppets with me today.
(33:49):
So these are my mascots.
So Timmy is the bear and Tammy's the bunny.
I've been around since the beginning.
Yeah, mean, Tammy's got a bit of wax on her because crayons smell in the car.
But yeah, no.
So we have like, guess, imaginative play and different things to kind of engage thechildren, cars, toys, depending on their interest as well.
(34:14):
just bring, I've got like a whole garage warehouse kind of thing that our team can go andjust choose what they like for an event specified for the children that we've got
attending.
Especially with like there's so many different, I guess, like teaching styles andeverything.
Like my kids go to a style in school and you know, the toys that they have at their schoolis very different to say like a mainstream public school.
(34:34):
And so like even like being able to cater to those needs as well.
Yeah.
Like it sounds really cool.
Like, yeah.
Like when I was there that day and you've got the Lego, like you said, for like some youngboys might really love this Lego over here.
Yeah.
To be able to cater to each person.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Steiner philosophy and I actually Montessori.
So I'm a Montessori educator and that was my past.
(34:54):
so Steiner and Montessori like it's just beautiful like wooden real life kind of toys thatthe children just love.
And so I try and incorporate that.
I try and incorporate nature.
I'm very outdoorsy.
the turn and like the outdoors.
So we find sticks and leaves and like can use that as our like.
play area with the dinosaurs or like whatever we've got, we just create like a dino worldor a fairy kingdom, but we kind of incorporate little bits of nature.
(35:22):
And yeah, I guess there is so many different types of children with like different playbackgrounds with what they've got.
So we have, I guess, open play where they can kind of just create their own worlds andthings like that.
yeah, I know.
What does the team, like I know you've got like the team of nannies.
(35:45):
What does a team like seem very busy?
The team behind the business actually look like.
it just you?
Yeah, I mean, my team are really helpful.
I guess we did the event a couple of weeks ago where we were running teen club and kidsclub and each team member were able to write up their own, I'm going to do dance and I'm
(36:09):
going to do this and bring this with me and stuff like that.
But I kind of do all the organising and say.
All right, this is the program.
This is what we'll do.
We're to do yoga and this and that.
And then they kind of bring their ideas.
And we had one guy who is all about connecting and like school teacher kind of with likethe teenagers.
(36:34):
So we had him doing like group kind of connecting games and what was it?
Like escape rooms?
Because it's teenagers.
So we were like, OK, well, we're going to try and do like things.
they're all trapped in the room for 30 minutes.
Not really, they can get out.
It's okay.
But they've got a time limit and they've got to go through different tests to get out.
(36:55):
Just having, I guess, everyone's talents.
So I can't do it all.
I can't run yoga, dance, escape rooms, sensory play.
So the girls who are on craft, they can bring their craft ideas in.
I had one artist teacher, she's beautiful and she created like a mural.
So a big, this was not a wedding, it was painting, a big collaborative mural where we'reall working together to paint.
(37:24):
It was a zebra theme, so yeah, zebra theme mural based on the conference theme that wasworking together in teamwork.
we was incorporating the theme of the conference.
But yeah, it's just good to see their passion shine through and they're all...
kind of running their own little businesses too, whether they are yoga teachers or danceteachers or things so they understand and they get it.
(37:51):
So even if it is just me like doing all the emails and behind the scenes, I still feellike my team are all kind of there with me and supporting me.
And if I'm like, okay, well, let's create some content together.
Do you want to like talk to me?
Like we're trying, we're not very good at the social media, but I'm trying.
Oh, you're doing a great job.
It's popping up all the time.
I've always seen it.
(38:12):
Yeah, I'm trying to get myself out there a bit.
I don't like to get in front of the camera or chat and be like, oh, Roxy from Timmy andTammy.
It's really hard for me to do that.
But at the same time, they're the ones that like, people relate and be like, yeah, sothey're the ones that I need to do more of.
(38:33):
It's almost like people need to relate.
It's like photographers, videographers and yourself are probably, or maybe celebrants areprobably the highest, like people need to connect with you because like they're
entrusting, you know, children with you.
And as soon as they see your face and you talking to them, then all of a sudden like thattrust is just there.
and I think that's so important to have the trust.
Well, you can't you can't book someone that you don't trust.
(38:54):
So yeah, to have the trust there first is really important.
All right, well, where can people find you on the social medias and the website andeverything like that?
Timmy and Tammy events, think, underscore events on socials.
And www.timmyandtammie.com is my website.
And if you are interested in, I guess, finding out a little bit about our services, we cansend you our info pack with different options that we can include, whether you want the
(39:22):
full works for the whole day event or whether you just want reception, or we just, wealways talk to the bride beforehand and make sure we know exactly what they're after
before the event.
Yeah, we plan to, whether it's a child free or a child friendly wedding, we can work withboth because our nannies can go off site too.
So yeah, that's, guess, where you can find me.
(39:43):
Awesome.
Thank you so much for coming on.
Thank you for having think that's like people have been asking about this forever.
you know, like I haven't had anyone from childcare on here.
So I think this will be really valuable to couples as well.
So thank you very much.
Thanks for tuning into the Wedco podcast.
If you love this episode, don't forget to subscribe, follow and share it with yourfriends.
We'd to hear your thoughts, so leave a review or connect with us on social media.
(40:06):
New episodes drop every week, so be sure to join us next time for more weddinginspiration, tips and stories.
Until then, happy planning and we'll see you soon.
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