A wedding video showcasing a heartwarming surprise has gone viral, captivating millions on social media with over 120 million views.
The touching moment, filmed by JOL Videography, features groom Elliot Gwilliam listening to an unexpected message from his three-year-old daughter, Evie, just before she walked down the aisle with her mother, Emma Beddow, the bride.
The video, filmed on December 28 at Hawkstone Hall and Gardens in Hodnet, Shropshire, has since become a social media sensation, with more than 15 million likes and thousands of comments.
In the video, Evie, standing just off-camera, speaks into a public address system, telling her father that her mother “looked beautiful” before ending the message with a playful “See you, alligator.”
As the audio played, Gwilliam, clearly emotional, was left momentarily speechless, before the entire room burst into tears and laughter. The heartfelt moment was captured by Owen Bloor of JOL Videography, a Shrewsbury-based wedding videography company.
“I can’t believe how crazy it’s gone,” Bloor said in a recent interview. “It’s such a special moment for the couple, and people are going absolutely mental for it. It’s lovely to see the joy it’s bringing to so many.”
The idea for the surprise came from the bride, Emma, who reached out to Bloor just days before the wedding to suggest it. “Emma messaged me and said, ‘I’d love to do this idea’,” Bloor explained.
“Elliot was really emotional about it, which you can clearly see in the video. He just says, ‘Nah,’ and that was it. He was emotional anyway, and it was such an amazing moment for us to be able to capture.”
The surprise had to be kept under wraps to ensure the moment was a genuine surprise for the groom. While the bride, the venue, and the photographer were all in on the plan, Bloor admits he was uncertain whether the bridesmaids were aware.
“The key was to make sure Elliot was positioned in the right spot so I could capture it just perfectly, and then let the moment unfold naturally,” Bloor said.
The viral success of the video has brought an outpouring of love and support from viewers worldwide, many of whom shared their admiration for the heartfelt gesture and the emotional reaction it provoked.
“That’s the beauty of capturing these moments,” Bloor said. “It’s not just about filming a wedding; it’s about creating something memorable for the couple and everyone involved. I’m so happy that this moment has resonated with so many people, and I’m thrilled for Emma and Elliot.”
With the video continuing to rack up views and comments, Bloor is hopeful that the viral sensation will bring even more attention to his business.
However, he emphasizes that for him, the joy of capturing such authentic and emotional moments for couples remains the ultimate reward.
“I’m just grateful to be part of these special days and to be able to share these moments with everyone,” he added. “It’s truly amazing to see how one small surprise can make such a big impact.”
