The long-awaited wedding of90 Day Fiance’sAlliya de Batista andShawn Finchwas easily the most painful wedding I’ve witnessed in the entire franchise, which is no easy feat. While many90 Day Fiancéweddingshave fallen victim to elements beyond the couples’ control, including short timelines, tight finances, and cultural differences, Shawn and Alliya had none of the above. Their stunning California wedding was intricately planned and attended by a large group of loved ones, including Shawn’s supportive mother and his beloved dog, Maxwell. This made the day’s disastrous turn even more awkward and, at times, heartbreaking.
Shawn and Alliya endured a painstaking path to marriage that began when they appeared on90 Day Fiancé: Love In Paradise. The couple hasa 36-year age gap, which gives them a complicated dynamic. Shawn had misgivings about Alliya’s desire for gender affirmation surgery, and he pushed her to have an open relationship while they were long-distance. However, Shawn and Alliya also had many sweet moments, and Alliya’s move from Brazil to Los Angeles proved their love could overcome even the most difficult circumstances. Their optimism is what made their catastrophic wedding day even more unsettling.
Alliya Was Nearly 2 Hours Late
She Kept Shawn & Their Guests Waiting In The Sweltering Heat
As their wedding day approached,90 Day Fiance’s Shawn worried Alliya wouldn’t be able to stick to their timeline, and it turns out his fears were justified. Alliya was meant to get ready for the 5 p.m. ceremony on the wedding venue property, but even with her friend attempting to keep her on track, Alliya couldn’t speed up the process of doing her hair and makeup.She appeared to have no sense of urgencydespite Shawn and their guests waiting outside in over 100-degree heat. As the minutes ticked by, Shawn became increasingly furious, and I couldn’t blame him.
Alliya finally arrived at 6:50, having kept everybody waiting for almost two hours. By that time, Shawn had run out of patience. He approached Alliya with a belligerent attitude and, with no acknowledgment of how beautiful she looked, threatened to leave. Although Alliya was completely out of line, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for her. She looked so caught off guard. Alliya tried to keep a brave face, but it was obvious she was humiliated and heartbroken.
Shawn & Alliya’s Ceremony Was Painfully Rushed
Shawn Was Fuming
With their futures on the line, Shawn and Alliya proceeded with their marriage ceremony, but Shawn made no attempt to hide his anger. He ordered the officiant to rush through the process, skipping straight to the vows.
The ceremony lasted mere minutes, and tensions were sky-high between Shawn and Alliya the entire time.
As they walked up the aisle as husband and wife, a guest asked if the ceremony was “a whole three sentences,” to which somebody who sounded like Shawn coldly replied,“Welcome to citizenship.”
I can’t imagine how uncomfortable the guests felt, and I had secondhand embarrassment for Shawn and Alliya watching them throw away the opportunity to celebrate their love story. Alliya later admitted her disappointment and confusion over what had happened. The moment she’d dreamed of had been cut short, and she was made to feel like a burden on what should have been the happiest day of her life.
Shawn’s Mom Was Injured
She Fell Just Before The Ceremony
Further complicating the unhappy day was an unfortunate incident involving Shawn’s mom, Jeanne. Just prior to the ceremony,Jeanne fell and hurt her ankle and hip. She insisted she could wait until after the wedding to go to the hospital. Shawn was beside himself with worry, which I’m sure played a large role in his obnoxious behavior.
During the two hours Alliya kept the guests waiting, Jeanne sat in the front row in excruciating pain, her leg propped up on a chair in front of her. Alliya’s brazen tardiness was seen as a huge lack of respect for Jeanne, who had been so welcoming and maternal to Alliya. Jeanne’s injury made the profoundly awkward day even more stressful, and it made Alliya’s lack of consideration even more devastating.
Shawn Insulted Alliya During His Speech
His Doubts About Their Relationship Were Renewed
By the time dinner started, tensions were unbearable, and Shawn did little to calm the storm. During an obligatory toast, he thanked his guests for coming and then added an insult.
“Alliya, thanks for coming too… finally, when you got around to it.”
At this point, the guests were stunned. Shawn had every right to be upset, but the way he treated Alliya ruined the day for everybody else. He admitted during a confessional thatAlliya’s disregard for him when it truly mattered triggered concernsthat she would never truly be there for him.
Shawn and Alliya’s wedding day wouldn’t have been so horrifying if it hadn’t been so full of potential. But the90 Day Fiancécouple had been through so much, and they’d orchestrated what should have been a perfect celebration of their love. With only themselves to blame for the sad turn of events, I have to wonder if Shawn and Alliya’s wedding was a sign that some problems are simply insurmountable.
