Weddings are known for being glamorous, emotional, and occasionally chaotic, but one California groom never expected his big day to turn into a full-blown internet debate about motherhood, boundaries, and who’s allowed to have fun on a dance floor. Still, that’s exactly what happened after the man shared a video of his mom letting loose at his wedding, and TikTok users had opinions.
Joseph Maine, 36, posted a clip from his destination wedding to husband Jack McWilliams, and what started as a tongue-in-cheek moment quickly exploded online. The video, which now has more than 25 million views, shows Joseph’s mother, Julie Maine, 55, being lifted into the air by a family friend as a remix of Icona Pop and Charli XCX’s “I Love It” blares in the background. Arms raised, disco ball sparkling, and guests cheering, it’s pure celebration energy.
The timing of the post made it even more irresistible. As wedding drama involving the Beckhams circulated online, Joseph framed his video as a playful response, adding onscreen text that read, “In Victoria Beckham’s defense, this was my mom at our wedding.” In the caption, he doubled down with humor, writing, “She asked our friend to pick her up 😂 Let moms live. They need to shake it sometimes too.”
California Man Defends Victoria Beckham After Sharing Wild Video Of His Mother At Wedding
The wedding itself took place over four days in Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico, but Joseph is based in California, and the relaxed, joy-forward vibe of the event felt very West Coast-coded (via PEOPLE). According to Joseph, the dance moment happened on day three of the celebration, a point when inhibitions were already low and spirits were high.
While many viewers found the clip hilarious and joyful, others reacted with discomfort. Some questioned why everyone appeared “okay” with it, while others labeled the moment awkward or inappropriate. Joseph later admitted he was shocked by how harsh the reaction became, especially considering the moment lasted less than 15 seconds.
Julie herself noticed something troubling about the backlash. According to Joseph, she was disappointed that much of the judgment came from other women and mothers. Still, she also saw plenty of support from people who understood what the moment represented: freedom, joy, and a mother celebrating life after years of showing up for others.
Context mattered, too. Julie had experienced significant loss in the year leading up to the wedding, losing both her longtime partner and Joseph’s grandmother. Seeing her smiling, dancing, and carefree meant more to Joseph than any viral reaction ever could.
The Internet Couldn’t Handle It
Despite the internet noise, the couple says their 60 guests loved the spontaneous dance moment, and there were zero hard feelings, only laughter and memories they’ll carry for years. Julie even checked in afterward, worried she might’ve embarrassed her son, but Joseph reassured her there was nothing to apologize for.
However, the internet was triggered. “Never been so uncomfortable,” one person commented on the video. “So I hated that,” another wrote. “At her grown age,” a third person declared. ” I’d die of secondhand embarrassment,” a fourth comment read.
In the end, what played out online became a bigger conversation about expectations, especially for mothers, and who gets to be the “main character” at a wedding. For this California groom and his family, the answer was simple: joy matters more than judgment, and life’s too short not to dance when the music hits.
Hunter Spears 
Preston Thomas 
Dylan Cook 
