Savvy Couple Receives Praise For Saying ‘I Do’ With Fast Food Feast At Their Wedding That Garnered Big Savings

Oct 02, 2023

Ophélie and Thomas Billaudeau, a French couple aged 25 and 27 respectively, brought a delightful twist to wedding traditions by serving a fast-food feast on their wedding day. This unconventional choice has created quite a buzz online after the groom uploaded a video of their wedding celebration.

Rather than indulging in a fancy and customary three-course wedding meal, the couple surprised their guests with a fast-food delivery from McDonald’s, a choice that sparked joy and cheers at the event. With a microphone in hand, the bride announced the unexpected McDonald’s delivery, as a driver entered with bags filled with burgers and nuggets. 

The moment was caught on video and uploaded by the groom to TikTok on Sept. 17, 2023. The video quickly amassed over 2.3 million views and over 25,000 shares. Thomas could be heard on the video giving a shout-out to McDonald’s for adding a unique touch to their special day.

This story has sparked conversations about the escalating costs of weddings and the financial strain it puts on couples. According to Zola, the cost of wedding catering in the U.S. was between $1,800 to $7,000 in 2023. Thus, many couples are contemplating unconventional, budget-friendly approaches to avoid debt, leading to a rise in elopements and smaller, more intimate ceremonies. 

Driven by economic considerations, the couple managed to cut down on their catering costs substantially by ordering 300 sandwiches from McDonald’s, per Le Parisien. This cost them over 1000 euros or approximately $1,160. 

Thomas mentioned via People that McDonald's did not supply the desserts. Their wedding cake and additional sweets served to the guests were courtesy of a "very talented pastry chef friend."

Thomas disclosed that he and Ophélie had long joked about serving McDonald’s at their wedding. This inside joke became a reality as they are big fans of the fast food chain. People who knew them weren’t surprised by this unconventional choice.

"We only served McDonald's food, including all the burgers from the menu,” Thomas said in an interview. “We didn't serve fries or potatoes to avoid them getting cold and soggy."

The couple thought there might be some resistance to their unconventional catering choice, especially from some of their aunts and uncles. Their wedding was for an intimate group of 45 guests after all. Despite their initial reservations, the out-of-the-ordinary catering plan was a hit, and even those who were hesitant ended up enjoying the meal. 

“We were a little afraid of the reaction of certain aunts and uncles,” Ophélie explained. “They had a little trouble at first, but everyone ate eventually,” she added.

The Billaudeaus' choice garnered massive support online, with many appreciating their practical and stress-free approach to wedding planning. TikTok followers flooded their video with positive comments, with people expressing their preference for a simple, debt-free wedding over a lavish, expensive affair. 

Some viewers even shared their experiences of having had happy meals at their weddings, praising the couple for prioritizing happiness and financial practicality over extravagance and societal expectations.

“I love it and so did your guest based on the reaction,” kiwijello4 wrote.“McChicken and some fries please!!! What a cool wedding. Notice the HAPPY people.”

“I would rather eat McDonald’s at my wedding than go into debt for 25 years for a wedding,” Keegan commented.

"Finally, people who have the wedding they want to have without going into debt to show off. Be happy!” another viewer, CHP, said. 

Do you think more couples should consider such practical and joyful alternatives for their big day? We’d love to hear your say on this delightful and unconventional wedding choice! If you know someone planning a wedding, pass this story along for inspiration!