A beautiful wedding day was made even more unforgettable when the bride’s grandmother, whose 83rd birthday fell on the exact date, completely stole the show.
In a TikTok video posted by Elena Besser, her and the bride's grandmother took center stage to sing for the newlywed couple. The emotional video captured the pure joy and talent of the matriarch. The bride, Sabrina Weeks-Brittan, 32, spoke to Newsweek about how the moment came about and what it meant to her to have her grandmother share her talents on her big day.
A Gift of Love and Legacy
Weeks-Brittan shared that it felt like "kismet"—destiny—to share her wedding date with her grandmother, Carole's, 83rd birthday. It was also her nephew’s second birthday, making the day especially meaningful. To celebrate her milestone birthday and honor her talent, the couple asked Carole to sing their first dance song.
Carole, who Weeks-Brittan describes as a "force" and a naturally talented singer, immediately suggested "Love is Here to Stay." In another moment of fate, the couple later learned that the song had also been Weeks-Brittan's new husband, James’ parents’ first dance song, making the choice even more perfect.
The couple later asked Carole to perform a second song beforehand: “Fly Me to the Moon,” which was the favorite song of Weeks-Brittan's grandfather who passed away in 2023.
"Before he passed away in 2023 at 95, he urged her to share her gift with the world, knowing it would bring her happiness," Weeks-Brittan said. "Now, she sings with the Horner Park Jazz Band in Chicago, and Papa was right, it brings her so much joy to perform for others...The moment came together perfectly, a gift of love and legacy that made the day even more unforgettable."
A Star is Born
Carole's stunning appearance was matched by her performance.
The bride explained that her grandmother had been shopping with her mother for a mother-of-the-bride gown when her mother encouraged her to try on a dress for her "grandmother-of-the-bride debut."
Weeks-Brittan said, "It matched our exact color palette and fit her flawlessly. The draped shoulder bow struck the perfect balance of elegance and drama. It felt as if the gown had been made just for my grandma."
The guests were completely captivated by her voice and confidence.
“I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house,” she recalled, describing her grandmother as always being a "gorgeous, self-possessed, elegant and strong woman."
"Our guests were truly blown away by her voice and her confidence on stage," she added.
In an unexpected burst of joy, Carole began to gain confidence a few seconds into the song and began to dance. For Weeks-Brittan, it was a profound moment: “I always knew she was a star, but it still absolutely wowed me. I had full body chills…it was so special to see her in her element on the most important day of our lives.”
Boundless Love and Admiration
Carole’s love story with Weeks-Brittan's grandfather was a major inspiration for the couple. Their relationship was "rooted in boundless love, total admiration and mutual support"—a model for Weeks-Brittan and her husband, James.
The legacy of their love was woven into the ceremony. Weeks-Brittan shared that her grandmother gave them her grandfather's wedding band to use as their own. James was also able to tell Weeks-Brittan's grandfather he was proposing just before he passed.
“In his final days, Papa smiled at me and said how happy he was to see the way James loves me and to know he was the right man for me," Weeks-Brittan revealed. With his blessing and a beautiful performance from his beloved wife, the day was filled with a rich history of love, and Weeks-Brittan said she knows her grandfather would have been proud.
"We had his blessing," she said. "And I know he would have been so incredibly proud to see my grandma shine on such a special day for all of us."
