TikTok personality Jenna Palek has sparked a significant online backlash after appearing to stage an extensive personal photoshoot during a friend's wedding celebration. The influencer, known to her substantial following, shared a carousel of intimate images with her boyfriend, Bachelorette alum Connor Saeli, which many have labelled as 'tacky' and disrespectful to the marrying couple.
The Controversial Instagram Post
Earlier this week, Austin-based Palek posted a series of polished snaps to her Instagram account documenting her attendance at what appeared to be a luxurious wedding. In the images, she wore a striking one-shouldered red satin dress, while Saeli opted for a simple suit. The couple were photographed in multiple, seemingly staged scenarios throughout the venue.
The pictures showed them walking through grand halls, dancing together, and posing on a sweeping staircase, prompting Palek to caption the post simply: 'I love love.' While many of her fans appreciated the romantic shots, a sizable portion of the online audience was far less impressed, accusing the pair of hijacking the event for their own content.
Social Media Backlash and 'Cringe' Accusations
The criticism quickly coalesced on platforms like Reddit, where users dissected the perceived faux pas. One central question dominated the discussion: 'is it not weird to have a whole photoshoot with multiple locations at your friend's wedding?' The original poster argued the shots resembled a professional engagement session rather than a few casual pictures.
The sentiment was widely echoed in the comments. 'I think what’s weird is the different locations and so many posed/“candid” pics,' wrote one user, suggesting a single photo would have sufficed. Others questioned the logistics, asking, 'For real like who did she beg to take all of these?' and noting that guests should be 'mingling' not modelling.
Further comments condemned the act as self-absorbed. 'How about posting some pictures of the bride and groom?! What is this staged tacky photoshoot,' read one response. Another urged, 'Girl go be with your friend! Stop spending precious moments trying to prove to the internet that your boyfriend likes you!' The overarching critique was that the act shifted focus away from the wedding couple on their special day.
Palek and Saeli's Relationship Background
Jenna Palek has been in a relationship with Connor Saeli since 2021. Saeli originally found fame as a contestant on season 15 of The Bachelorette in 2019, later appearing on Bachelor in Paradise before exiting the show early. Despite their public profiles, Palek has stated she prefers to keep their relationship relatively private.
In a pinned Instagram post, she describes Saeli as 'incredibly humble, ambitious, thoughtful, silly, creative, loving and my bestest friend,' but adds, 'I like to keep our relationship to myself! We don't share much of our personal lives.' This recent incident, however, has put their relationship squarely back in the public eye for controversial reasons.
In a separate recent TikTok comment, Palek also revealed that she and Saeli, after four years together, have never spent Christmas together and do not plan to until they are married.
The episode highlights the ongoing tension between personal celebration and public performance in the age of social media influencers, where the line between a guest's memory and a content creator's opportunity can become dangerously blurred.
