Self proclaimed “full-time chatter” Tommy Casha knows a thing or two about the power of a good old-fashioned yarn.
As founder of Wedding Chats, he spends his days mingling at milestone events, chatting to guests about everything from dancefloor vibes to their fave memories of the couple or hosts.
For the uninitiated, Wedding Chats is a fresh take on the wedding guestbook—where Casha chats to your nearest and dearest and edits their sweet (and sometimes rogue) messages into a video you’ll be able to revisit long after the big day is over.
With a journalism background, Casha knows a thing or two about the importance of connection and conversation. In partnership with Keno, we caught up with him to get his take on the importance of carving out quality time with your mates.
Casha's all heart when it comes to his work. “I’ve always loved storytelling—but it was when I started filming weddings that I realised how powerful it is to catch people mid-magic,” he says.
“I’m obsessed with the off-the-cuff comments people make when they feel comfortable. When someone drops their guard and says something beautiful or hilarious or totally unexpected—that’s the gold. That’s what I chase.”
While Casha works his magic at special events, he acknowledges that telling people how much they mean to us shouldn’t just be saved for special days. “Honestly, most of us are walking around thinking lovely things about our friends and family—we just forget to say them out loud,” he says. “That’s why what I do resonates—it creates a space for people to say the things they didn’t even realise needed to be said.”
In Casha's personal life, making time for mates is a priority. "My rule is: if I think about someone more than once in a week, I reach out. We're all busy, but if you value connection, you find ways to fit it in," he says.
“Telling someone how much they mean to you might feel intense in the moment, but I’ve never met a person who regretted doing it.”
Getting someone comfortable to open up isn’t always easy, but Casha keeps things light to start. He usually kicks things off with a simple question like “What’s the vibe today?” and then mirrors the person’s energy.
“If someone’s feeling emotional, I lean into that. But if they start cracking jokes, I’ll go with it,” Casha explains.
“Create a space where they feel safe, seen, and unjudged,” he says. “You don’t need to be the world’s best listener or a psychology major—you just need to care about what they’re saying. People can feel that, and when they do, they open up.”
“Start small,” Casha suggests, "and ask follow-up questions.” More than that, he advises asking better questions.
"Instead of 'how was work?' try 'what’s been making you laugh lately?' People want to talk, sometimes it just takes someone else giving them permission."
“No matter how many memes you send or voice notes you trade, nothing beats looking your mate in the eye and saying, ‘how are you really?’”
While the big stuff is important, genuine connection doesn’t always have to be grounded in deep conversations and vulnerable moments. “Some of the best connections I’ve seen come from shared laughs and silly stories,” Casha says.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, it’s about showing up where you can. “Put your phone down. Tell your mate they’re killing it. Schedule that catch up,” Casha says. “The more intentional you are about showing up for people even in tiny ways, the more connection becomes part of your routine.”
Ready to reconnect? Head down to your local club, catch up over a good feed, and play a round of Keno with mates to get the conversation flowing.
*Gamble Responsibly. Think! About your choices. Help is close at hand. Call Gambler’s Help, ACT Gambling Counselling and Support Service or GambleAware 1800 858 858 gambleaware.nsw.gov.au or www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Keno and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image: Wedding Chats, Supplied