Bride 'Completely Shocks' Groom Mid-Wedding Ceremony with Escape Room Challenge: 'His Brain Froze' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding ceremony.Photo:Fernanda Campos/The Two Sounds

Bride Shocks Groom With Escape Room Challenge Mid Wedding Ceremony to Unlock the Rings (Exclusive)

Fernanda Campos/The Two Sounds

A bride surprised her groom mid-wedding ceremony with an escape room challenge to unlock their wedding rings.

Ben and Michal Lepley tied the knot on Oct. 5, 2024, outside the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace in Playa Vista, California. The officiant described the pair as “showmen,” so it wasn’t out of character for the bride to have a few tricks up her sleeve for the ceremony.

Ben Lepley tries to unlock the wedding rings.Fernanda Campos/The Two Sounds

Bride Shocks Groom With Escape Room Challenge Mid Wedding Ceremony to Unlock the Rings (Exclusive)

“I had locked my knees earlier in the ceremony and was feeling pretty lightheaded, so it was a big relief that the blood had gone back to my brain when that lock came out — I think I would have passed out otherwise!” Ben tells PEOPLE.

Because she and Ben enjoy playing games together, Michal secretly began planning a “mini escape room” three months before their nuptials. About 13 people helped Michal with the ceremony challenge, including her friend Summera as the day-of prank coordinator.

“Ben was completely shocked, he had no idea I had been planning that and he said his brain kind of froze, but he still solved it!” Michal tells PEOPLE. “I tried to make it as simple as possible since he was going to have to solve it in front of everyone on a highly emotional day, but he’s a voice actor! He knows how to perform under pressure!”

Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding ceremony.Fernanda Campos/The Two Sounds

Bride Shocks Groom With Escape Room Challenge Mid Wedding Ceremony to Unlock the Rings (Exclusive)

For Ben, the surprise made the ceremony even more special.

“Michal did such an incredible job of making it a surprise, making the puzzles reflect something important to us — a wonderful board game called Unmatched that we discovered together, involving our community of friends, and creating the whole thing with her signature kindness and cleverness,” Ben says. “I was moved  —  I’ll always treasure that surprise and the work that she put into it.”

Bride Shocks Groom With Escape Room Challenge Mid Wedding Ceremony to Unlock the Rings (Exclusive)

But the games didn’t stop there. Board games, fidget spinners and specially-designed prizes were at the wedding reception.

Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.PHOTO:Fernanda Campos/The Two SoundsBen and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.PHOTO:Fernanda Campos/The Two Sounds

Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.

Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.

Bride Shocks Groom With Escape Room Challenge Mid Wedding Ceremony to Unlock the Rings (Exclusive)

Bride Shocks Groom With Escape Room Challenge Mid Wedding Ceremony to Unlock the Rings (Exclusive)

Ben and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.PHOTO:Fernanda Campos/The Two SoundsBen and Michal Lepley’s wedding reception.PHOTO:Fernanda Campos/The Two Sounds

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The duo — who fell in love at a barcade five years ago — are experienced in comedy, acting and improv, so they’re on the same page about the value of art and comedy, and are always ready to play another round together.

“Ben and I believe that play is really important and we incorporate it into all areas of our life: we play board games, we invent our own games, the clues to the escape room were all from his favorite board game Unmatched,'' Michal says. “For his 40th birthday, I actually surprised him with a live action version of his favorite board game and all the guests came dressed as characters from the game!”

Ben and Michal Lepley.Fernanda Campos/The Two Sounds

Bride Shocks Groom With Escape Room Challenge Mid Wedding Ceremony to Unlock the Rings (Exclusive)

Deeper meaning underlies their play.

“I think that in a world that is complicated and overwhelming, finding each other through play allows us to stay connected,” Michal shares. “We are always looking for and pursing joy. Our next big project is to build an escape room together.”

source: people.com