College of Education alumna becomes internet sensation at wedding

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Auburn College of Education alumna Saigim Brown had no idea she would become a viral sensation at her wedding, but a funny moment caught on video skyrocketed her into the internet spotlight.

“I definitely did not expect our little wedding mishap to go viral!” she said.

Standing with her soon-to-be husband in front of her aunt, Judith Garcia—the wedding officiant—Brown noticed 13 minutes into the ceremony that the crowd had been standing the whole time as there had been no prompt to take their seats. Brown subtly asked her aunt to tell the crowd to sit, and her aunt not-so-subtly complied.

“Can you sit down, please?” Garcia bluntly asked the guests and was immediately met with an eruption of laughter. Brown’s father can even be heard in the video, which went viral on TikTok, saying, “Finally!”

After the well-meaning interruption, things were back on track, and Brown couldn’t stop laughing at the moment captured on video.

“I kept trying to ignore the fact that everyone was standing once I realized but that did not last long because it was all I could think about,” she said. “Once I finally told my aunt to tell them to sit down and I heard such a positive, funny reaction from the guests, I felt a huge weight come off my shoulders and could genuinely laugh in the moment.”

A broader audience also found humor in Brown’s wedding mishap, which has been viewed over 5.4 million times on TikTok and made her the subject of a People Magazine article.

But Brown’s wedding is just one of several big life events that have taken place this year. In May 2024, she graduated from Texas Women’s University with an Entry-Level Doctoral Occupational Therapy degree, made possible by the time she spent at Auburn.

“The best part of being an Auburn student was meeting such incredible people who have changed my life forever,” she said. “If it weren’t for Auburn, I wouldn’t have formed such indelible friendships that have shaped me into the woman I am today.”

Brown graduated from Auburn in 2021 with a degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies. During her time on the Plains, Brown served at both the college and university levels as a Camp War Eagle Counselor and a College of Education Student Ambassador, and was selected as the college’s student marshal for the graduation ceremony in the Spring of 2021. She credits the College of Education for preparing her to pursue occupational therapy as a career.

“My favorite thing about the College of Education was the constant opportunities presented to grow as a student and a person,” said Brown. “There were so many chances to network and meet people who could help you in your career, and I feel like it really helped me solidify my choices moving forward after college.”

Now, Brown lives just north of her hometown, Woodstock, Georgia, and is an occupational therapist in the public school system. She serves four middle schools and treats students with varying diagnoses, including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

During her time on the Plains, Brown served at both the college and university levels. She was a Camp War Eagle Counselor and a College of Education Student Ambassador, among other things, and her best advice for current students hoping to pursue a career like hers is to get involved.

“My number one piece of advice for current Auburn students who want to pursue a career in occupational therapy is to get as involved as possible, as soon as you can!” she said. “Join PT/OT club, attend discussions hosted by previous students, be an ambassador for the College of Education and, of course, join Best Buddies of Auburn! These clubs and organizations helped me prepare for my career in so many ways, and I had such a positive experience from them.”

For Brown, it’s clear that service, laughter and shared experiences have been just as valuable in her personal life as in her professional one. Her ability to embrace unexpected moments with humor has certainly extended beyond her career.

Reflecting on the viral wedding mishap, Brown shared, “It has been a positive experience since almost every comment is someone relating and sharing that the same exact thing happened to them.”

But what truly stood out to her that day were the moments that mattered most.

“The best part of my wedding was marrying my best friend in the world and surprising all our guests with a fireworks show!”