Bride and Groom Befriend Stranger Who Crashed Their Wedding and Shared Viral Social Media Posts About It

Shaneisha Wofford spotted Janeeka and Eric McDowell's wedding invitation on Eventbrite and showed up to the nuptials on Sept. 1, with a gift in hand

A newly married couple has found a new friend in someone unexpected — the person who crashed their wedding.

When Janeeka and Eric McDowell married on Sept. 1, they encountered a stranger at their reception, per Today.com. The woman, named Shaneisha Wofford, told them that she had come across their wedding invitation on Eventbrite and had decided to come.

“We were kind of shocked,” Eric recalled to the outlet. “We didn’t think someone would actually come that we didn’t know.”

Wofford even brought a gift for the newlyweds. “She was so sweet,” Janeeka said. “She was like, ‘Hi, I saw your wedding on Eventbrite, I brought a gift.' "

Related: Wedding Crashers Leave Newlyweds an Unexpected Gift: ‘The Whole Family Was Beside Themselves with Laughter'

Although taken aback at first, the McDowells ultimately embraced a the-more-the-merrier spirit and ended up being happy to have Wofford there for their special occasion.

“We were actually kind of happy that she came, because as long as she, you know, she was very nice and respectful, and then she gave us a gift,” Eric explained to Today.com. “We wanted everybody — all of our guests — to have a great time.”

While Wofford's appearance at the wedding was a complete surprise to the McDowells, the internet was in on the secret. On the day of the wedding, Wofford shared a post on Threads that quickly went viral, revealing that she was attending.

"I found a wedding on eventbrite like 2 months ago and RSVPd. It's today," she wrote. "I'm here. I know no one. I didn't show up empty handed. The attire said cocktail, I'm wearing a floor length off the shoulder red dress and makeup."

Wofford continued to post live updates, chronicling the wedding and sharing her observations. "Ok, so they are asking us all to be inside for the reception to begin. The energy is absolutely electrifying. All smiles and the feeling of just love!" she wrote at one point.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Later, she wrote, "Wedding party and newlyweds just walked in. Absolutely stunning!" and joked of her smooth moves on the dance floor, "Excuse me while I do what I do best with the cupid shuffle 😅."

Wofford even posted about the moment she met the McDowells: "I just got done taking pics with the newlyweds. I gave them a card and introduced myself to the bride. She seemed both confused and grateful. Which I would expect nothing less 😂."

She followed up with photos of her slice of wedding cake and a cocktail, as well as a clip of the groomsmen entering the reception and the McDowells sharing their first dance.

After the wedding, friends and family flagged Wofford's thread to Eric and Janeeka. “I got a text in my poker chat, like, ‘Hey, you guys are going viral on Threads.’ We were cracking up," Eric recalled to Today.com.

Eric then reposted Wofford's thread on his own account, writing, "This was my wedding. Me and my wife loved this!!!" He included a shout-out to Wofford, adding, "Thank you for your time and being respectful."

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Eric explained to Today.com that he and Janeeka had used Eventbrite to help manage their 150-person guest list and RSVPs. In the weeks leading up to their event, they noticed something amiss, as unfamiliar names began to appear on their list.

“We were like, 'OK, if we don’t know them, we can just delete them,' " Janeeka told Today.com. “But I think for [Wofford], we just thought, 'Oh, maybe she’s someone’s plus one.' "

Related: Guy Fieri Hilariously Crashes Couple's Wedding Ceremony in New Jersey! See the Photos

As they reflect on the wedding-crashing incident, the McDowells and their family agree that Wofford's presence ultimately was "a blessing," especially as she captured such special wedding memories for them.

“The video that [Wofford] showed was so beautiful, and it really showcased our wedding in a beautiful light," Janeeka told Today.com. “It worked out well, and she brought such good vibes.”

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.