‘Disrespectful' friend ruins wedding by breaking this major social norm: ‘So hillbilly'

New York Post

14-05-2025

A wedding guest received the surprise of her life when her partner popped the question during her friend's wedding reception in a video that has amassed over 2.5 million views online.
The controversial clip has since ignited a debate about wedding etiquette and whether it's appropriate to propose at someone else's nuptials.
Alyssa Fowler was at her friend's wedding in Jacksonville, Florida, when her boyfriend, Josh Stepherson, unexpectedly dropped to one knee in the middle of the dance floor.
The bride stood directly behind the couple and gasped as she realized what was happening.
Man's 'lazy' wedding act
Ms Fowler quickly turned to her friend and asked if her boyfriend had asked permission to propose at her wedding.
The bride replied, 'No, he didn't, but it's okay! Say yes!'
Ms Fowler accepted the proposal and embraced her new fiance as the bride and groom cheered from the sidelines and then lovingly hugged the pair.
Alyssa Fowler was at her friend's wedding in Jacksonville, Florida, when her boyfriend, Josh Stepherson, unexpectedly dropped to one knee in the middle of the dance floor.
@alyssa_ryannn/TikTok
To join in on the TikTok trend – 'a moment that felt like Hozier's yell' – where people share significant life moments set to Noah Kahan's song Northern Attitude (with Hozier), Ms Fowler posted a video of their proposal on TikTok.
However, she didn't expect it to spark such an intense response.
In one reaction video, someone described the move as 'f**ked up' and 'disrespectful'.
Other commenters argued that doing this at someone else's wedding steals attention away from the couple of the night.
Meanwhile, some called the act 'uninspired' and said he was trying to capitalise on the nice styling and atmosphere that someone else had created.
'He didn't plan it, he didn't spend money on it. Just lazy,' said one.
'Nothing wrong'
Others agreed that the move was in bad taste, with one commenter saying, 'Your boyfriend is so uncreative he couldn't find a unique way to do that for you? This feels so hillbilly trailer parkish'.
Many felt sympathy for Ms Fowler, calling her boyfriend's decision an 'ick' and insisting, 'His girlfriend deserved her own special moment'.
Among the criticism, a few commenters defended the move, with one saying, 'Always try having an open opinion, these two must be close friends … Nothing wrong with that'.
'Why does everyone think getting married is about being the center of attention for the day? Marriages are about bringing people together and love,' pointed out one person. 'Love makes the world go round, folks'.
'Both very happy for us'
Ms Fowler told People that her partner didn't ask permission from the newlyweds first because it was a split-second decision.
Mr Stepherson, who has been dating her since 2021, planned to propose the night before but didn't get the chance, so he had the ring in his wallet.
In one reaction video, someone described the move as 'f**ked up' and 'disrespectful'.
@alyssa_ryannn/TikTok
When he caught the bouquet during the toss, he decided to take the opportunity to propose.
'We 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,' she said.
'All guests that I have spoken to since have said the timing couldn't have been better, and everything played out perfectly,' she added.
While she acknowledged it's not 'typically acceptable,' she urged people to think twice before commenting, especially when they don't know the full story.