FINDING the perfect place to propose can be tricky, but one man decided to do it at a wedding without asking the bride and groom first.
Footage of the moment, which has gone viral on TikTok, has caused an outrage, sparking a debate about whether it is ever acceptable to do it on someone else’s big day.
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The video shows Josh Stepherson, 24, proposing to girlfriend Alyssa Fowler, 23, at a friend’s wedding in Florida in the evening.
The boyfriend claimed it was an “in the moment decision” and he hadn’t planned it to happen there.
He can be seen getting down on one knee and popping the question, while a stunned Alyssa looked to the bride to see her reaction.
Although the bride appeared slightly shocked, she mouthed “it’s okay!” back at the couple.
Alyssa then hugged Josh and appeared to be over the moon.
Alyssa shared the video saying it was a “moment that felt like Hozier’s yell”, in a nod to the TikTok trend of sharing happy clips.
Although she loved the moment, she admitted she never expected the strong reaction that would follow.
She said to PEOPLE: “She asked all the single guests (female and male) that were still present to get together so she could do one. When she tossed the bouquet, Josh caught it.
“In that moment, he decided he would get down on one knee and ask me to marry him.”
Alyssa explained that Josh, who she has dated since 2021, had planned to do it the night before so happened to have the engagement ring in his wallet.
She continued: “I did not expect my TikTok to get nearly as much attention as it is.
“I was obviously over the moon that he was asking me to marry him, but also realised that we were at someone’s wedding and immediately made sure the bride was okay with what was happening!
“I asked her, ‘Did he ask you? Is this okay?’ To which she responded, ‘No he didn’t but it’s okay! Say yes!’”
Alyssa claims all the guests she has spoken to said the “timing couldn’t have been better.”
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People have been quick to chime in and give their view, with one calling it “f—– up”, and others saying it was “disrespectful.”
Many said they would have been annoyed if they were the bride at the event.
Alyssa pointed out that the groom was very happy for them and threw his hands in the air and cheered for them – with the bride and groom lovingly hugging them at the end.
She added: “We do acknowledge that it would have been more appropriate for Josh to have asked beforehand, but it was an in the moment decision. They were both very happy for us.”
Average cost of a wedding in 2025
Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000.
- Food – £6,000
- Honeymoon – £4,329
- Wedding outfits – £3,500
- Entertainment – £2,000
- Engagement ring – £1,948
- Flowers – £1,110
- Wedding ring – £1,000
- Wedding transport – £700
Total = £20,587
