A Texas couple who planned a ‘last-minute’ wedding filled out their guest list with strangers — with the bride choosing five bridesmaids whom she’d never met before.
Alexis and Donovan Kiser, both 22, moved from Ohio to Texas in January of this year and made a spontaneous decision to have a wedding this month.
Because friends and family would be unable to travel with so little notice — particularly during a pandemic — the couple decided to simply invite a bunch of strangers they met online, including five bridesmaids whom Alexis connected with on Bumble BFF.
Something different! A Texas couple who planned a ‘last-minute’ wedding filled out their guest list with strangers — with the bride choosing five bridesmaids whom she’d never met before
They do! Alexis and Donovan Kiser, both 22, moved from Ohio to Texas in January of this year and made a spontaneous decision to have a wedding this month
Because friends and family would be unable to travel with so little notice — particularly during a pandemic — the couple decided to simply invite a bunch of strangers they met online
Newbies: Among the attendees were two of Donovan’s coworkers, as well as neighbors the couple has known for just two months
Making it official: They tied the knot in a church ceremony on April 25
Alexis and Donovan did know some of their wedding guests in advance, though just barely.
Among the attendees were two of Donovan’s coworkers, as well as neighbors the couple has known for just two months.
But the rest were new friends that the pair quickly made online.
Alexis joined Bumble BFF, Bumble’s platform that connects people seeking friendships, and found a handful of strangers to celebrate with them on their special day.
She also asked five women — Ciara, Madeline, Elena and Danielle, and Haley — to be her bridesmaids.
One of the bridesmaids, Haley, was asked to join just two days prior to the event, which was held this past Sunday, April 25.
But despite the rushed meetings, Alexis and Donovan say the day was ‘a blast’ — and they may have even made friends for life.
New friends: Alexis joined Bumble BFF, Bumble’s platform that connects people seeking friendships, and found a handful of strangers to celebrate with them on their special day
Hi there! She also asked five women — Ciara, Madeline, Elena and Danielle, and Haley — to be her bridesmaids
Just met! Despite the rushed meetings, Alexis and Donovan say the day was ‘a blast’ — and they may have even made friends for life
‘We thought it would be a fun and unique experience to have a stranger wedding ceremony here,’ Alexis said
‘We figure you don’t stay friends with everyone in your wedding for the rest of your life, they become strangers, so why not make them strangers from the beginning?’ she said
‘We thought it would be a fun and unique experience to have a stranger wedding ceremony here,’ Alexis, who works as a nanny, told Jam Press.
‘Most of our friends and family absolutely loved the idea and thought it was so fun.
‘Unfortunately, as every family has, we did receive some selfish responses and backlash about our decision, but we didn’t do this to make anyone else happy but ourselves.
‘We figure you don’t stay friends with everyone in your wedding for the rest of your life, they become strangers, so why not make them strangers from the beginning?’ she continued.
‘If anything, we got to make new friends and, if not, then they’re right back to strangers and that’s OK too.’
Despite the unique guest list, in many ways the wedding was like any other, with last-minute cancellations and late arrivals — but overall the couple is over the moon with how the day went.
Ta-da! The couple and their stranger bridal party pictured on the big day
‘We do not have any regrets and absolutely had a blast with our stranger wedding decision,’ Alexis said
Sharing the joy! Alexis documented some of the fun on social media
New besties: One of the girls who served as a bridesmaid was invited just days before
Next up: Alexis and Donovan will be throwing a ‘mock ceremony’ back in Ohio at a later date with their friends and family
‘We do not have any regrets and absolutely had a blast with our stranger wedding decision,’ Alexis said.
‘Everyone was so friendly and supportive and that’s all we could have asked for. We are so thrilled to have new friends in the area.’
The newlyweds shared their unconventional story on TikTok after one of the bridesmaids went viral posting about the day.
In the video, Alexis says: ‘This was a great, unique experience and a great way to have a wedding ceremony so far away from home.
‘We do plan to keep in touch with all of the people that were in the wedding and cannot wait to see what comes next.’
Alexis and Donovan will be throwing a ‘mock ceremony’ back in Ohio at a later date with their friends and family.