A woman’s friends took the age-old tradition of a surprise proposal and elevated it to an art form.
In a viral tiktok videothe bride-to-be, Shelby Nelms, shared how her friends secretly prepped her for the big moment without her having a clue. The clip, which has amassed more than 5.3 million views, documents the moment she realized the elaborate setup is all for her, leading to a sweet display of shock and joy. Nelms told Newsweek about the gesture and what it showed her about her friendships.
Nelms said she was told by her best friend, Autumn, that she needed a “model to try a new technique on.” Unbeknownst to her, the plan was much grander.
@Shelby.slms/Tiktok
As her TikTok caption reads: “Ben secretly set everything up for me to get ready and was at the venue with all our family and some friends getting ready for me.” The meticulously planned scheme, which had been in the works for weeks, was kept secret from Nelms, who said she “didn’t suspect anything at all leading up to it.”
The Moment of Realization
The moment the secret was revealed was captured on camera. Nelms’ friends presented her with a specific blue dress, which was the final piece of the puzzle.
The significance of the garment was the key to unlocking the surprise. “The moment I knew … I’ve told Ben I wanted to get engaged in this blue dress for months,” the caption read.
Nelms told Newsweek her reaction was one of complete shock, and she couldn’t stop between a “mixture of happy tears and laughing.” The flawless execution of the surprise, she said, was a testament to how well her friends and fiance knew her.
“The surprise was not ruined at all; they knew what I always imagined for the day, and planned everything with my fiance for weeks,” Nelms said.
A Celebration of Love and Friendship
For Nelms, the elaborate surprise was more than just a proposal; it was a powerful reminder of her loving relationships.
“The surprise showed me just how much I was loved by my best friends,” Nelms said. “For them to selfishly put so much thought and love into my day just reinforced just how I knew they will always be there for me in every up and down in life, no matter what.”
The engagement itself was a truly grand affair. Her fiance, Ben, whom she has been dating for nearly two years after being best friends for over seven years, hired a videographer and photographer to capture the moment. Adding to the celebration, he had over 30 of the couple’s closest family and friends hiding at the venue that she didn’t know about—making the day perfect.
Nelms said she and Ben couldn’t believe the clip has gone viral, but it is the “coolest thing ever.” She added that she is grateful for the chance to share the “monument of girlhood” with over 5.3 million people and counting.
