“He Slapped Her in a Wedding Gown”: Photographer Recounts Horrific Moment a Groom Assaulted His Bride During Private Shoot

In a society where wedding days are supposed to be filled with love, laughter, and sacred promises, a deeply disturbing incident has emerged from the shadows—shaking the very foundation of what many consider the happiest day in a couple’s life. A photographer has taken to social media to share a chilling account of domestic violence that unfolded before his lens, and the story is sparking outrage across the country.

It started with what seemed like an ordinary post on X (formerly Twitter), where a user, Chisom Ogamba, shed light on the hidden horrors that makeup artists encounter behind the scenes of weddings. “If makeup artists tell you how much evidence of DV on women's faces (scars, black eye, etc) they have had to cover with makeup even on brides on their wedding day, your mouth will open & never close,” she wrote. “Makeup artist will be applying makeup, bride will be crying in pain.”

The post, which was meant to highlight the hidden scars of domestic abuse, quickly opened a floodgate of personal testimonies. But it was a reply from a user identified as Adeleke (@choboiii) that truly gripped the internet in horror. He recounted how, just a month ago, he personally witnessed a groom slap his bride in the middle of a private wedding shoot.

“To think I experienced this just last month. The groom literally slapped the bride during their personal shoot at the hotel just because she asked him to wait a bit for more shots,” he wrote. “I just face my camera like say I dey set something on am. Na family issue.”

The words were simple but carried the weight of something deeply traumatic—something that should never happen, yet did. On a day meant to mark the beginning of a loving union, violence reared its ugly head. And the most terrifying part? It wasn’t seen as shocking. It was dismissed—“na family issue.”

That singular moment has become a lightning rod for discussions around gender-based violence, silence within marriages, and the normalization of abuse under the guise of “respecting the man.” Many have reacted with outrage, not only at the act itself but at how casually it was dismissed by someone who witnessed it firsthand.

But Adeleke isn’t the villain here. In fact, his confession reveals something far more troubling: a system where bystanders often feel powerless, unsure of whether to intervene or risk being blamed for “getting involved in husband and wife matter.” The fact that this abuse happened so casually—without fear of consequences, in front of a photographer—speaks volumes about the entitlement some men feel in relationships and the silence society has taught us to maintain.

The comments have since gone viral, reigniting old conversations about the red flags ignored before marriage, the hush culture surrounding abuse, and how the image of a “perfect wedding” often masks deep pain. Some women responded by sharing their own experiences of being beaten or humiliated by their partners just days or even hours before their weddings. Others recalled friends who backed out at the last minute, too ashamed to explain why.

“I know a bride who limped into her wedding venue,” one commenter said. “We thought it was her heels. Turns out she had bruises on her back and a sprained ankle from a fight with the groom the night before.”

Another added, “I used to be a makeup artist. I’ve seen swollen cheeks, black eyes, bruised arms, and more. But the pressure to ‘go on’ with the wedding is always stronger than the urge to walk away. Family, shame, and fear keep many trapped.”

In the traditional African context, particularly in Nigeria, marriage is often revered as a milestone that defines womanhood. The pressure to be married—no matter the cost—can sometimes be suffocating. Many brides, raised to believe that patience is the price for marital success, are taught to endure and never embarrass the family. The result? Countless women walking into lifelong prison sentences disguised as holy matrimony.

The photographer's story has since become more than a viral post. It’s a call to action.

Advocates and activists are now using the story as a sobering example of why conversations around domestic violence should not be limited to post-marriage scenarios. The warning signs, many say, are often there—yet love, pressure, and cultural expectations blur the lines. Some insist that mandatory counseling and psychological evaluation before marriage might help. Others believe that the laws protecting women must be stricter and better enforced, especially when violence happens before the wedding even begins.

Still, there’s a haunting silence from some corners of society. While many are calling for justice, others have tried to excuse the groom’s behavior, claiming that “stress from wedding pressure” or “momentary anger” could explain the slap.

But a slap is never just a slap. It’s a sign. A red flag waving violently in the face of anyone willing to see. And when it happens on a wedding day, it should be enough to stop everything.

What’s even more heartbreaking is the likely outcome of the story Adeleke shared. That bride, humiliated and hurt, most likely continued with the wedding. She most likely wore that dress, smiled for those pictures, and kissed the same man who struck her. Because for many women, the fear of starting over is greater than the pain of staying. The societal shame of canceling a wedding is worse than the physical bruise of being beaten.

The photographer did what many would have done: he looked away. But his later decision to speak up—even anonymously—is a small act of bravery. It shines a light on the secret violence that so often hides behind veils, tuxedos, and wedding garlands.

This isn’t just about one slap. It’s about the culture that allows it, the silence that protects it, and the institutions that fail to address it.

As more makeup artists, photographers, and wedding planners come forward with similar stories, one thing becomes clear: not all wedding photos capture happiness. Some are masking horror.

And if a groom can raise his hand on the day he is supposed to vow to protect and cherish his bride, then what hope does she have the morning after?

It’s time to stop romanticizing weddings and start prioritizing the safety and dignity of women. Love should not hurt—especially not in a white gown.