'Ancestors rolling in their graves': Bride and groom play Rock, Paper, Scissors, to solve surname dispute at the altar in viral video

Sky News AU

2 days ago

A British couple has gone viral for playing a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors at their wedding to decide whose surname they would use, with footage of the moment dividing the internet.
The unconventional scene unfolded at the altar in front of stunned guests, as the couple ditched tradition in favour of a "best of three" battle to determine the family name.
"Ro Sham Bo to see who takes whose last name, Hunter versus Pearce," a wedding guest can be heard saying of the game in the video shared to social media.
The groom, Pearce, won the first round, but it was ultimately the bride, Hunter, who emerged victorious.
"Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hunter," reads the on-screen caption as the crowd erupts in cheers and the couple embrace.
While many Western traditions still see the woman taking her husband's surname after marriage, more couples in recent years have been choosing alternatives.
The playful clip has sparked widespread commentary online, with users both applauding and criticising the move.
"Ancestors rolling in their graves at this," one user wrote, while another commented, "Oh god, imagine the parents' reaction".
"I don't understand why this should be something to compete for," said a third.
Others hailed the moment as a refreshing display of gender equality.
"Love this! Let's normalise this kind of secure masculinity! Solid green flag," one Instagram user said.
"Everyone going like 'omg no a lineage will end', as if that isn't what has been happening for centuries every time a woman has to step away from her last name," wrote another.
Some suggested joining the names together: "They should just double-barrel it."
Others simply called the move "fun".
"These commenters are boring. This is fun! And taking the woman's last name is normal- it's 2025," one seemingly progressive user said.
While comprehensive data on the trend in Australia remains limited, Flinders University associate professor Yvonne Corcoran-Nantes told the ABC in 2016 that more than 80 per cent of Australian women still adopt their husband's surname after marriage.
Similar statistics have emerged abroad.
A 2023 Pew Research Centre report found 80 per cent of women in heterosexual marriages in the US took their husband's name, while a 2019 UK survey referenced in Sage Journals reported the number was closer to 90 per cent.
South Australian marriage celebrant Camille Abbott, who has over 15 years' experience, told the AFR in 2021 that women taking their husband's surname remains by far the "most common practice" in heterosexual marriages.
"Planning to have a family together in the future and wanting to share the same last name often motivates females to decide to change their last name after marriage," she said.
In 2021, Melbourne-based social media influencer and entrepreneur Laura Henshaw and her husband, Dalton Graham, opted to take her last name on their wedding day.
"The decision was pretty straightforward but to so many it was a shock," Henshaw said at the time.