When Zahné and Arek Zabierek stood before their guests at Villa La Joya in Riviera Maya, Mexico, on Feb. 23, 2025, little did they know their officiant, Nicky Boggio, would soon drop a bombshell that would leave their guests stunned. During the ceremony, Nicky casually revealed that the couple had secretly eloped in Las Vegas exactly one year before.
As the news sank in, the guests — including Zahné’s bridesmaid and sister-in-law, Taylor — were left with their jaws on the floor. “Taylor’s jaw was on the ground,” Zahné recalls with a laugh. “Many people were blown away, some thought we were pranking them. They were definitely shocked!” The surprise announcement took everyone by complete surprise, and the moment went viral when Zahné later posted a video on TikTok.
In an exclusive interview with The Bright Story, Zahné shares how they managed to pull off the secret wedding and why they chose to keep it under wraps until their official ceremony in Mexico.
The Secret Elopement: A Year in the Making
Zahné and Arek, both originally from the Vancouver area, first crossed paths more than a decade ago through a mutual friend. While they had exchanged messages online for years, they didn’t meet in person until 2018. Zahné remembers the moment vividly: “It was one of those things where we knew, even before we officially met, that what we had was special.”
After three weeks of knowing each other, they made it official. Zahné works in social media and content creation, while Arek is an entrepreneur and business owner. Fast forward to 2024, and the couple was preparing for their dream destination wedding in Mexico. But there was one important detail they needed to take care of first: they had to get legally married in advance.
“We eloped in secret on Feb. 23, 2024, at The Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas,” Zahné tells The Bright Story. “We had to get legally married before the wedding in Mexico, and I knew I wanted to celebrate both dates — but I didn’t want two separate anniversaries. So, we did it on the same day, exactly one year apart!”
The Big Reveal: Guests React in Shock
When it came time for the official wedding ceremony a year later, Zahné and Arek were ready to share the news with their loved ones. “It was such a blur!” Zahné admits. “We were nervous, but also so relieved and excited to share with everyone!”
The wedding in Mexico was everything they had hoped for. “It was even better than we could have imagined,” Zahné says. “We spent so much time planning, but you really don’t know how things will turn out until you’re there, especially with a destination wedding.” Thanks to their incredible planner, Kristee from Fresa Weddings, the day went off without a hitch.
While Zahné and Arek had a beautiful day in Mexico, it was the secret elopement reveal that made the biggest impact. “We thought they were going to freak out, but they were just so surprised,” Zahné laughs. “My best friend, Taylor, and my sister, Migne, were the most shocked. Those two are always stalking our location, so they were dying to know how we went to Vegas without them!”
The moment was captured on video and posted by Zahné to her TikTok, where it quickly gained traction, amassing over 700,000 views. The video showed their guests’ reactions — some confused, others excited, but all clearly taken aback by the big reveal.
Reactions: The Good, the Bad and the Surprising
While the surprise was met with admiration from some, others were less than thrilled. Zahné shared that the reactions online were split 50/50. “Some people were confused, others loved it,” she says. “A lot of people felt that the wedding was a waste of money since we had already eloped. But our friends still talk about how amazing the wedding was, and how the big reveal still has them in awe. Anyone who has been to a destination wedding or planned one knows that most couples are already married or will be married at a later date to avoid the headache of getting married in another country!”
Zahné and Arek, who are no strangers to online commentary, continue to stand by their decision. "We were happy to keep that time just for us and not have any outside noise," Zahné explains. "It gave us time to really soak in being newlyweds before the big celebration."
Advice for Other Couples: Do What’s Right for You
For couples planning a wedding or considering an elopement, Zahné has one piece of advice: "Do whatever is best for you two! People are going to have something to say no matter what, so do what is best for you as a couple."
She also offers a practical tip for anyone planning a destination wedding: “Look for venues that aren’t all-inclusive resorts! Our venue allowed us to pick absolutely everything and didn’t have vendor fees. This made the day really special for us.”
As for whether Zahné would recommend eloping in secret? “Absolutely! It allows you to have that intimate moment and memory just for the two of you. And it makes the wedding planning way less stressful!”
Enjoying the article? Subscribe to GJW+ Premium to unlock award-winning drama, Three Stooges comedy, and powerful documentaries — and support this channel. Don’t miss out, this limited-time offer ends in two weeks. Start today!
