Planning a wedding can be a challenging task, and one of the difficult decisions is who will stand by your side on your big day. But for Alexandra Stamps, a fifth-grade teacher from Wichita, Kansas, the choice was clear. She asked her own students to be her bridesmaids and groomsmen when she married Mason McDowell, her partner of one year.
Both Alexandra and Mason, who is a third-grade teacher, wanted to include their students in their special day. They wanted the children to play a significant role because they were an important part of their lives. Alexandra told the Wichita Eagle, “I love them, and they’re part of my life. I want them to be up there with me because they’re my biggest fans.”
In a heartwarming video that Alexandra shared on TikTok, she captured the moment when she asked her students to be in her wedding. The video went viral, receiving over 19 million views! In the clip, she begins by saying, “I’m about to ask my students to be part of my wedding.”
One by one, Alexandra asks her students, “Khloe, Mary, Reagan, Angelina, Esmeralda, Lucy, Lily, Bella, Harley – will you guys be my junior bridesmaids in my wedding?” The girls joyfully respond with a resounding “Yes!” She then turns to the boys and asks, “Bryland, Max, Eric, Emilio, Kayden, Will, Conner, Jessie, Jose, and Sebastian – will you guys be my junior groomsmen?” The boys eagerly answer with a big “Yes!” as well.
The students’ reactions to Alexandra’s request were priceless. Many of them were extremely excited, with six or seven even shedding tears of happiness. Alexandra explains, “We spend over forty hours a week with them, and we both really love our students so much.” Including them in the celebration directly meant a lot more than just having them watch from the audience.
For Alexandra, having her students have a role in her wedding was a way to share a special moment with them. She wanted to give them a part of her life and recognize their accomplishments during a challenging year, particularly with the pandemic. She expresses her pride in her students, saying, “They’ve not only survived the pandemic but thrived in it, and watching them grow as people this school year, they deserve to be up there with me.”
Prior to asking the students, Alexandra sought permission from their parents. Once they agreed to be a part of her special day, she gifted the girls with faux pearl necklaces and the boys with cool sunglasses. And as an added fun touch, each student received a rainbow-striped lollipop.
This heartwarming gesture by a dedicated teacher brings joy to our hearts. The students must have felt incredibly special and cherished. Let’s commend this loving pair of teachers for their thoughtfulness and wish them a lifetime of happiness together. Share this touching story to spread the joy and to send the couple all the best wishes for their future life together.
