Groom Calls Bride by Ex’Girlfriend’s Name at Wedding, Real Life ‘Ross and Rachel’ moment

In what many are calling a “real-life Ross and Rachel moment,” a groom was left mortified after mistakenly calling his bride by his ex-girlfriend’s name during their wedding vows.

Andrew Fildes, 51, and Rebecca Fildes, 46, tied the knot in a registry office in Bedfordshire in October 2023 after six years together. However, nerves got the better of Andrew at the altar, as he accidentally referred to his new wife as “Sarah,” the name of his former partner of 15 years.

The awkward slip-up was captured on video and later shared by Rebecca on TikTok with the caption: “When your new husband calls you his ex-girlfriend’s name”. The clip quickly gained traction, sparking widespread reactions online.

Despite the embarrassing mix-up, Rebecca, a dog walker from Harlington, Bedfordshire, was quick to laugh it off and correct Andrew in the moment.

“Thankfully I saw the funny side in it and we’re still married,” she said. “It was a stand-out memory but I’m not sure it’s a stand-out memory you particularly want.”

Andrew, a property manager, explained his nerves played a big role in the mistake. “It’s the worst nightmare saying my ex’s name,” he admitted. “But to be fair, it’s Rebecca’s second name so I got her name all jumbled up when I was talking.”

He added: “I was bricking it and I was standing in front of friends and family trying not to say the wrong words… I was just shaking and sweating so I was just trying to get through the ceremony.”

Unaware of the mistake at first, Andrew realized something had gone wrong when he noticed the reactions from Rebecca and the guests. “My brother put his hand on his face and my son shook his head,” he said.

Drawing parallels with the iconic Friends episode in which Ross mistakenly says “Rachel” instead of “Emily” during his vows, Andrew called the moment “a real-life Ross and Rachel moment.”

The couple later laughed about the incident, and Rebecca has continued to playfully tease Andrew. “I keep saying he owes me a proper wedding now where he gets my name right,” she joked.

The video has since garnered more than 37,800 views on TikTok, with viewers split between amusement and concern. While many made comparisons to Friends, others saw it as a possible “red flag.”

One viewer wrote: “Ross Geller, is that you?” while another commented: “I’d be bringing this up for the next 50 years.” Still, others were less forgiving, with remarks such as “That’s awful. I would have walked out.” and “Cancelled the wedding – red flag.”

Despite the online debate, Andrew and Rebecca insist the day was still perfect. “It was still the best day of our lives,” they both agreed.