Tegan Human, an 11-year-old superfan, has taken her admiration for singer Benson Boone to extraordinary lengths by “marrying” a life-sized cardboard cutout of him during her birthday celebration. The unique wedding-themed party was held on 27 August in Lake Stevens, Washington, with Tegan celebrating her obsession for the musician who has captured her heart for the past three years.
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Tegan’s infatuation with Boone began at the tender age of eight when she first discovered his enchanting music. Her mother, Ashley Human, 36, shared that the family is also connected to the artist through their shared hometown of Monroe, Washington, which has made Tegan’s love for him all the more special.
Ashley described the appeal of Boone as encompassing not only his music and heartfelt lyrics but also his playful theatricality and sense of humour. Tegan is particularly inspired by his acrobatics, as she herself enjoys performing backflips. Despite Tegan’s prior hints about wanting a wedding-themed birthday, Ashley admits she was taken aback when her daughter expressed a desire to actually marry the cardboard likeness of Boone.
Preparation for the mock ceremony commenced in earnest, with Ashley scrambling to bring Tegan’s vision to life. She recalled thinking, “Oh no! How are we going to prepare for this with so little time!” In collaboration, they transformed the backyard into a venue adorned with colourful leopard print balloons forming a wedding arch, setting the stage for the highly-anticipated event.
On the day of the party, Tegan was joined by 14 friends, all of whom embraced the wedding theme wholeheartedly by dressing in formal attire. The group enthusiastically planned their roles in advance, mirroring a traditional wedding ceremony. Dressed as a bride in a white gown and veil, Tegan took on the role of the bride, while her friends assumed the parts of the flower girl and officiant.
As Tegan walked down a long white aisle laid out on the grass, she recited her vows, which she had selected from ChatGPT and amusingly stored on her phone. Ashley found joy in observing her daughter’s creativity throughout the ceremony. “All I could do was laugh and think how theatrical and creative she is,” she reflected on the heartfelt moment.
The celebration continued after the ceremony, with Tegan and her cardboard “husband” making a humorous exit on a knee scooter. Guests enjoyed a playful dinner featuring chicken strips and mac and cheese, capped off by a cake smash. The vibrant afterparty entertained the young guests until the early hours, complete with a fake tattoo station and dancing powered by giant glow sticks. “There were some crazy girls who drank Dr Pepper until probably 4:00 in the morning,” Ashley noted, capturing the spirited atmosphere.
Tegan’s imaginative “wedding” event has not only met her expectations but has also gained significant attention online. A video compilation of the festivities has since gone viral on Instagram, with Ashley jokingly captioning it, “Welcome to the family Benny 😂💍.” While Boone has yet to respond to the commotion surrounding the mock wedding, Tegan remains hopeful that he will take notice and possibly attend a cheer practice or game.
Looking ahead, Tegan is already planning her 12th birthday, contemplating a sequel to this year’s celebration that may include themes of a tropical honeymoon. Ashley shared details of her daughter’s visions with excitement, promising another memorable event for a young girl whose heart remains firmly fixed on her celebrity crush.
In an era where social media plays a large part in capturing special moments, Tegan’s inventive celebration serves as a reminder of the impactful connections that artists can foster through their music, inspiring fans of all ages to embrace their creativity in unique ways.