what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas—unless you’re a social media user. Then there is a chance that your untraditional wedding will go viral online, like this newlywed couple.
Newsweek spoke to Ortal Edri, who has recently gained 18.3 million views on TikTok (@ortaledri) after sharing a clip of herself serenading her partner of 12 years, Shamir Fink.
However, it didn’t quite go to plan, as Fink is nowhere to be seen while Edri duets with an Elvis tribute on the altar, singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by the king of rock and roll.
The text layered over the video explains: “When you decide to surprise your camera-shy husband with a wedding song and you had to chase him down the chapel because he disappeared on you.”
@ortaledri Surprising my shy husband with his favorite Elvis song at our Vegas wedding ended up Elvis enjoyed it more 😭 #canthelpfallinginlove #elvis #wedding #elvispresley ♬ original sound – Ortal Edri
Mid-song, she calls out “Where is my husband?” before breaking into the chorus.
The singer and songwriter told Newsweek: “Shamir had just had a few too many drinks, and since he’s used to filming our videos, he decided he wanted to get another camera angle.
“I always knew I would sing at our wedding when the day came—music is such a big part of our lives.”
Although this was intended to be a significant occasion for the couple, online reactions suggest that it was perceived quite differently.
The video, captioned: “Surprising my shy husband with his favorite Elvis song at our Vegas wedding ended up Elvis enjoyed it more,” has left many baffled.
“This looks like his worst nightmare. Girl why did you do this to him?” asked one user.
“Singing at your own wedding is a weird flex,” said another user.
A third wrote: “Ok, first…. Singing at your own wedding is… something. Second… was HE aware he was getting married?”
In another video of Edri singing Mariah Carey to her husband, who is standing directly in front of her, she wrote in the caption: “I tried to take the lead and ease the pressure off my husband, who was overwhelmed with nerves and emotion. It didn’t go exactly as planned… but it is what it is.”
This year, there have been over 40,100 weddings in Sin City, and last year more than 75,000, according to weddings.vegas.
Despite the backlash, Fink told Newsweek that he enjoyed the singing.
He said: “I would have enjoyed her surprise even more if I’d drunk a little less beforehand and felt a lot less nervous. But I’m always moved when Ortal sings to me.
“We’ve been together for 12 years and work together on music—I’m a music producer and she’s an incredible singer. Music is such an inseparable part of who we are.
“That’s why I’m so happy she did this, even with the crazy time pressure of planning a wedding in just four days. Of course, all the stress and excitement played their part.
“We understand each other deeply, and what you see in a one-minute video doesn’t always reflect the whole reality. But honestly, it’s impossible not to get emotional when you hear her sing.”