Madelyn Anderle, a Dallas-based photographer, has always loved documenting life’s special moments, but when she connected with Nic through Instagram DMs, their love story became a cinematic journey she couldn’t resist recording. After months of long-distance dating—Nic lived in Charlotte, North Carolina—Madelyn began documenting key milestones. When they got engaged, she knew their wedding day had to be equally memorable and decided to put her storytelling skills to work, crafting a unique video montage.
Madelyn wanted something more personal than a typical wedding video. She and her husband-to-be had accumulated so much footage that represented their time together, and she knew exactly how to use it. After brainstorming with her mom, she came up with the idea of playing a montage of their dating journey during the grand entrance of their reception.
A Tear-Jerking Surprise
On May 26, 2023, after exchanging vows and taking breathtaking sunset photos at their wedding venue—the Omni PGA Frisco Resort in Texas—Madelyn and Nic waited just outside the reception doors. Through the glass, they could watch as the video began playing for their guests. It featured moments they had captured throughout their dating and engagement, including snippets from their very first weekend together, which Madelyn had filmed from the beginning.
@madyanderle this is your sign to record everything, then play it at your wedding #weddingday #weddingreception #weddingreceptionideas #receptionvideo #vlog #nostalgic #weddingtiktok #weddinginspiration ♬ The Night We Met – Marianne Beaulieu
The video brought the guests to tears, especially those who hadn’t known the full scope of their love story. Even the wedding coordinator, who had spent a year working with the couple, was moved as she opened the doors for their entrance. Madelyn recalls the electric energy in the room, where laughter and tears were abundant, and everyone was touched by the couple’s journey.
“It was such a special moment to see how everything came together,” Madelyn said. “We were able to reflect on how far we’ve come, with all the people who love and support us in one place. It gave everyone goosebumps.”
Nic, who hadn’t seen the final cut of the video before the wedding day, was just as emotional. “He was grinning from ear to ear, and there were definitely some tears,” Madelyn remembers. “It tied a bow on our dating and engagement chapter. Now, we get to start this new chapter as husband and wife, and it’s super exciting.”
From Viral Love Story to Inspiration
After the wedding, Madelyn shared the touching video montage on TikTok, where it quickly went viral, garnering more than 2.4 million views. The comments were flooded with admiration and hope. Some people said the video gave them hope that they would find love, while others shared how the couple’s story resonated with them.
“I was once that girl who hoped to find ‘the one,’ and to now be in that place is surreal,” Madelyn shared. “Reading through the comments and seeing how much our story touched others was truly inspiring. It made me appreciate our relationship even more.”
Madelyn’s story also inspired people to document their own love journeys in creative ways. She encourages others to capture and treasure even the most ordinary moments. “Everyone’s dating experience is different,” she says. “But when you find your person, you just know.”
