A bride and groom added an unexpected twist to their wedding by leaving a key moment up to chance — letting fate decide who would sign their marriage certificate.
When Hannah and Harry Toonen exchanged vows on Friday, Aug. 15, at Gabbinbar in Australia, their 60 guests thought the ceremony was following tradition. But right after saying “I do,” the couple turned to their friends and family and revealed that the two official witnesses would be chosen at random — on the spot.
The surprise moment, captured by Gold Coast-based creators Curated by Us, quickly went viral after Claudia McLeod and Sophia Cragnolini shared the clip on TikTok. The video has since been viewed more than 2.4 million times, with the caption calling it “Such a fun + memorable wedding idea they’ll never forget.”
“Guests were completely caught off guard but loved it,” Cragnolini told PEOPLE. “The energy in the room was electric, and it really added something unforgettable to the day.”
McLeod agreed, saying the idea created a moment that “wasn’t just meaningful for the couple, but also for everyone who came to celebrate.”
To make the selection, the officiant brought out a glass jar filled with slips of paper, each marked with a guest’s name. The Toonens took turns drawing a name. Hannah pulled her sister and maid of honor, Abbie Fairbanks, while Harry picked Taylor Smith, the husband of one of the bridesmaids.
According to McLeod and Cragnolini, the chosen witnesses were “shocked, overjoyed, and honored” by the surprise. “You could see how happy they were, and the whole room celebrated with them,” Cragnolini recalled.
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For McLeod, those raw, unscripted reactions are the best part of documenting weddings. She said the couple’s unique spin on tradition made the day even more meaningful. “This was the first time we’ve seen it done, and it’s such a creative way to involve loved ones in such an important moment.”
The Toonens explained that the idea came from a TikTok they had seen before their big day. They loved how spontaneous and lighthearted it felt and decided it would be the perfect way to keep their own ceremony filled with laughter and joy.
