Why Bride Thanked Maid of Honor Who 'Yelled at Everyone' During Wedding

Usually, when a wedding guest speaks up during the ceremony, there's reason to be concerned. Marisa Vaillant, however, had an altogether different reaction when her sister Danielle, who was serving as Maid of Honor, spoke out as her sibling prepared to walk down the aisle with their father.

Vaillant, who shared footage of the moment on TikTok, told Newsweek: "My dad and I were coming out of the locker room to walk down the aisle, and we were both like 'did Danielle just yell at everyone?' Which gave us a good laugh and honestly was so on-brand."

Danielle had a good reason for speaking up before her sister's special moment, as guests were not respecting her sister's wish to have their phones tucked away during the ceremony.

Every wedding is different, and while couples are forever seeking new ways to make their big day special, one trend has become increasingly popular among America's prospective brides and grooms: no phones.

In 2021, a YouGov survey of 1,295 U.S. adults found that 49 percent of respondents were in favor of couples asking guests not to use their phones or take photos during the ceremony. However, sometimes even a simple request isn't enough to get the message across.

When Vaillant married her husband Trae at Bella Collina in Montverde in October 2021, having already postponed their wedding by over a year, they made it clear to guests that they wanted an "unplugged ceremony."

"We had waited so long for our special day, and we really wanted it to be intimate and everyone to be present," she told Newsweek. "I also didn't want phones and iPads being in the way of the professional photographers. We paid a lot of money for great pictures and didn't want them to be ruined by a phone."

Vaillant said every effort was made to establish with guests that they wanted an unplugged ceremony.

"We had an 'unplugged ceremony sign,' and the officiant made an announcement before the ceremony started," she said.

Yet, as they prepared to walk down the aisle, it would appear some had simply failed to heed the message. Thankfully for Vaillant, her sister was on hand to remind them.

In a video Vaillant shared to TikTok, which has been watched over 2.1 million times, her sister can be seen shouting: "Guys! Put your phones away! Marisa wants them away, put them away" before adding a polite "thank you."

A smattering of laughter is audible as Danielle issues the instruction, suggesting the reminder was taken in good grace. More importantly, it was an intervention that was warmly received by the bride.

"My sister is very straight up and has always had my back, so it was only fitting that she would on the most important day of my life," Vaillant said. "I personally thought it was hilarious and we got a great video and memory out of it. It was just proof that I chose the right Maid of Honor."

"I gave her a big hug and thanked her for always having my back," she said.

Many of those commenting on TikTok were inclined to agree with Vaillant's assessment. "Immediately sent this to all my girls telling them to do this for me if it happens," one viewer wrote with another commenting: "Photographer here does your sister need a job? I'm hiring."

A third person commented: "If my Maid of Honor isn't like this, I don't want her." while a fourth added: "Wish someone would've done this at my wedding."

Vaillant said she shared the video because she thought it was funny and also in the hope that it might dissuade others from taking their phone out during a wedding ceremony.

"It was definitely a moment that we'll remember forever, and I wanted the whole world to see what it's like to have someone have your back," she said. "I hope people see this and let it serve as a reminder that when the bride and groom ask to put your phones away, you keep them away."