Man Is Making A Fortune Crashing Weddings For Brides Or Grooms Who Secretly Want Out

Cold feet? This guy will object at your wedding and even take a slap for it—for a fee, of course

Jesse

• Published in News
• September 22, 2024

In a world where wedding planning has reached the level of a competitive sport, a Spanish man has decided to bring a rather unconventional twist to the nuptial game. 

Forget about “something old, something new, and something borrowed,” Ernesto Reinares Varea is offering something no one saw coming: an emergency exit strategy for brides and grooms with cold feet.

For just €500 (that’s around $550), Ernesto will show up at your wedding, mid-ceremony, to loudly and dramatically announce that the bride—or groom—shouldn’t marry the person standing beside them. 

The ad for this unique service began as a joke, but to Ernesto’s surprise (and likely his accountant’s delight), it quickly took off. Apparently, there are quite a few people out there who would prefer an elaborate and dramatic scene to a simple, awkward conversation about their second thoughts.

Ernesto’s job description is as theatrical as it gets: all he needs is the time, place, and date. Then, like a hero—or villain, depending on whose perspective you’re taking—he swoops in, declaring himself the bride’s (or groom’s) long-lost love, ready to whisk them away. 

It’s the stuff of soap operas, and, believe it or not, it’s got people queuing up for his services. In fact, Ernesto is booked solid until December, which means that, in the wedding world, winter is coming… with a side of chaos.

A mischievous prank that took on a life of its own

Ernesto’s antics doesn't just end at declaring himself a long-lost lover of the bride/groom, for an extra 50 euros per slap, Ernesto offers family members the option of venting their frustrations on him. Talk about going the extra mile for customer satisfaction!

Despite the novelty of his service, Ernesto’s venture has sparked debate. Some people applaud his creative take on solving a tricky dilemma, while others question the morality of being paid to sabotage a wedding. After all, isn’t breaking up supposed to be free? 

On a recent episode of The Today Show, hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb mused over his services. They agreed that, although entertaining, they wouldn’t pay someone to do what could be done with a simple but painful “I don’t.”

Meet Ernesto Reinares Varea, the brains behind this odd business

Ernesto’s booming business also raised a few eyebrows in the wedding industry. Father Jason Lody, a licensed officiant, has noted a trend of couples forgoing the traditional “speak now or forever hold your peace” moment altogether. It’s probably for the best, given that you might just find Ernesto crashing your wedding otherwise.

The backlash hasn't deterred Ernesto. Despite critics questioning the ethics and necessity of his services, the demand speaks for itself. In a recent interview, he reiterated that he’s not in it for the laughs; he genuinely wants to help those too terrified to voice their true feelings before it’s too late.

And it seems the wedding disruption industry is evolving beyond objectors-for-hire. Earlier this year, wedding planning expert Nishma Mistry introduced “Missed RSVP” cards for couples to send to those elusive guests who ghosted on the RSVP. 

While the message is more polite than a wedding crasher, the sentiment is the same: weddings are stressful enough without unexpected surprises or last-minute regrets.

Whether you find Ernesto’s service hilariously creative or morally dubious, one thing is clear: he’s carved out a niche in the wedding market that nobody ever anticipated. 

So, if you ever find yourself with cold feet and €500 to spare, you know who to call. Just be prepared for a wedding day that nobody will ever forget.

Jesse