It's a long-standing tradition that couples refuse to see each other on the morning of their wedding. But one groom couldn't resist paying his bride a surprise visit before their nuptials, and he did so in the most unexpected way.
When Annabelle Newell, 32, and her partner, Hayden, planned their wedding, they made the decision to elope to Moorea, French Polynesia, for an intimate ceremony. The couple wanted a small destination wedding with just their immediate family, and while they couldn't have dreamed it better, Newell told Newsweek that it meant "getting ready solo" beforehand.
But fear not, because Newell's soon-to-be husband ensured that she had some company while she did her hair and makeup as he grabbed a snorkel and swam over to see her.
"I was so happy and surprised, and I didn't expect it at all," Newell said. "I knew he would be snorkeling around the resort, but it was a huge swim from the beach to our bungalow.
"I think he knew I was a little nervous when I was getting ready, and he wanted to give me some support and reassurance. It was so great to see his big smile and have that feeling of surprise and joy before our ceremony."
The bride had "no idea" he was planning to surprise her while she got ready, but it certainly helped calm her nerves and provided some much-appreciated company.
Eloping wasn't an easy decision for the couple as it meant scaling back the celebration and keeping it to just close family. But, after the wedding on May 20, Newell said that it was easily "the best decision" they could have made, and she loved every moment.
"We had an incredible day with no stress and no feelings of overwhelm," she said. "We were able to soak in every moment with our families. I urge anyone else who is thinking of eloping to do so."
Traveling abroad for a wedding isn't everyone's style, and according to a 2023 survey by wedding website The Knot, about 19 percent of couples last year opted for a destination wedding. Perhaps part of the reason is the cost, because while an average hometown wedding is thought to cost roughly $33,000, The Knot suggests that a destination wedding is more likely to cost about $41,000.
How Did Social Media React?
Newell, of Sydney, Australia, shared a TikTok video (@annabelleovert0n) of "the special moment" he snorkeled to her bungalow and waved at her through the glass floor overlooking the sea. The sweet gesture has melted many hearts since the clip was posted on May 22, leading to more than 762,000 views and more than 119,500 likes.
As is the case for any happy couple, the wedding day provided countless cherished memories, but for Newell, this will remain one of her favorite moments. She was so glad to capture the video so she can relive it forever.
Since sharing the clip on TikTok, Newell has been amazed by the response that it generated.
"I never expected so many people to like the video, but I'm so glad I can share the moment with others and hopefully bring a smile to their face," she said.
Among the comments on the video, Hayden earned plenty of praise for his sweet gesture on the morning of their wedding. One comment reads: "Now this is so cute."
Another person joked: "I love this lol. He's out taking a casual snorkel while we get ready for 3 hours."
While another TikToker responded: "This is so mamma Mia coded I love it."
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