A bride who distributed a ‘singles sheet’ at her wedding with the goal of uniting guests without partners has defended her approach, despite some describing it as ‘humiliating.’
Jessica Branda married on June 30 in Hackensack, New Jersey, and wanted to create an opportunity for her single friends to interact and possibly spark romantic relationships.
The 27-year-old decided to put pictures of all of her single friends on laminated sheets of paper and give them to the guests.
‘I saw the idea on TikTok from someone else and thought it would be a funny light hearted addition to the reception,’ Jessica told the Daily Mail.
‘I was looking for something unique that would spice up the night and maybe help create a match!’ she added.
The sheet was titled ‘Tonight’s Most Eligible’ and described as ‘flirty, fabulous, and potentially your future plus-one,’ featuring small headshots of each unattached guest along with their first name and surname initial.
‘Yes, this is a matchmaking attempt,’ she had written at the bottom. ‘You’re welcome.’
Jessica posted her creation to TikTok, where it received a mixed response from viewers, with many slamming her for ’embarrassing’ her guests.
Jessica Branda, on her wedding day in Hackensack, New Jersey, opted to display photos of all her single friends on laminated sheets and distributed them to attendees.
The 27-year-old wanted a way for her single friends to mingle and possibly find love with one another
‘If I went to a wedding and saw myself on one of these, I’d take back my gift,’ declared one user.
Another agreed, writing: ‘I would absolutely hate this as a single person.’
‘No sorry this is giving humiliation,’ commented one person. ‘I’m married but if I were single and a friend did this to me, I’d take my gift back and leave.’
Others defended it, with one person writing: ‘It’s called have a little fun and try something out of the box. Not that serious people lol.
‘You don’t have to participate; just ignore them if you choose or go for it! You never know… my brother-in-law got together with my cousin at my wedding. Their relationship had a good run.’
Jessica insisted it was a hit with her party guests, sharing, ‘I had people coming up to me saying how it was hilarious especially since we included my husband’s grandparents.’
She said she didn’t tell everyone she was making the sheet, as she wanted it to be a surprise.
‘I did ask some people who I wasn’t sure was single,’ she added with a laugh.
The sheet was titled ‘Tonight’s Most Eligible,’ with ‘flirty, fabulous, and potentially your future plus-one,’ written underneath. It had a small headshot of the person with their first name
Jessica posted her creation to TikTok, where it received a mixed response from viewers, with many slamming her for ’embarrassing’ her guests
‘I know my friends and they’re not too sensitive so I knew no one would be upset or feel “humiliated” as some have commented,’ she explained.
Jessica added she has since checked with her guests after the video started circulating online, and they reassured her that no one took it the wrong way.
The newlywed admitted that she was shocked that people had a negative reaction to her video.
‘I think a lot of the people in the comments are taking it too seriously when it’s meant to be something silly,’ Jessica shared.
‘After reviewing everything, I understand some people may be sensitive to being on a list like that if they’re not super secure in themselves and where they are in life,’ she continued.
She added that she felt it was a better approach as opposed to having a singles table, which other couples have done, as she admitted she finds them ‘super awkward.’
‘I guess it’s embarrassing if you’re embarrassed about being single? Which I think people shouldn’t be but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion,’ she quipped.
While no one ended up dating from her crafty plan, Jessica said she was happy she did it.
‘I wanted everyone to sit next to those they knew and I think singles tables are super awkward, I think those saying “it’s humiliation” are taking it too far,’ she declared.
‘And it’s not something anyone really had to go along with if they didn’t feel like it.’
