• Maureen Tang and Elmer Vivas used a QR code hidden behind a fake drink menu to surprise their friends with an engagement announcement
• Their TikTok documenting the reveal quickly went viral, with the couple hoping to inspire other couples to do similar
• The experience made them reconsider their wedding plans, realizing how much joy their celebration brought to loved ones

When Maureen Tang and Elmer Vivas hosted a brunch for their close friends, their guests thought they were gathering to celebrate a birthday. However, the couple had a much bigger surprise in store. 

In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, the couple shared how they used a clever QR code prank to announce their engagement. The caption on the clip read: “We invited our friends to brunch and made them scan a fake drink menu to tell them we got engaged.” 

“We wanted everyone to find out at the same time,” Tang explains to PEOPLE. She shares that she and Vivas had been brainstorming ideas for weeks, trying to find a way to make their announcement both surprising and memorable. 

“We looked to TikTok for inspiration, but most of what we found were gender reveals or pregnancy announcements,” she says. “There weren’t many engagement announcement ideas out there.” 

The couple ultimately decided on the QR code idea because it added an element of suspense and allowed all their friends to experience the surprise simultaneously. 

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The execution of the plan was just as thoughtful as the idea itself. Tang revealed that they designed a fake drink menu, which featured personalized drink names that were inside jokes or connections to each guest. 

They uploaded it to Google Drive and generated a QR code linking to it. Once all their guests had arrived and settled in, Tang prompted them to scan the QR code under the guise of checking out a special drink selection. As they scrolled the menu, they were greeted with a photo of the couple, newly engaged.

“It was so nerve-racking,” Tang admits. “We were worried that some people might not bother scanning it or that it wouldn’t load properly on everyone’s phones.” Despite these concerns, the plan went off without a hitch. 

The delayed reactions as guests processed what they were seeing only added to the excitement in the room. “One friend told me later that her phone didn’t even load the photo — she just started reacting because everyone else was freaking out,” Tang says with a laugh. 

The TikTok documenting this moment quickly gained traction online. For Tang and Vivas, who have been together more than six years after meeting in college, this newfound attention has been both surprising and heartwarming. 

“We’re pretty private about our relationship,” Tang notes. “When I posted our engagement photos on Instagram, people were shocked because they didn’t even know we were dating!” Tang’s decision to post was in hopes of inspiring others looking for unique ways to share such milestones. 

The couple’s approach wasn’t just about creating a viral moment; it was also deeply personal and inclusive. Tang emphasizes how important it was for the pair to make their announcement meaningful for everyone involved. 

“When we told our parents, Elmer wrote a note in Chinese for my mom, and I wrote one in Spanish for his family,” she shares. This same thoughtfulness carried over into the brunch celebration, where every detail was carefully planned. 

For Tang and Vivas, this moment has also sparked conversations about their future wedding plans. Initially leaning toward a small or even non-existent ceremony due to their private nature, they are now reconsidering after seeing how much joy their engagement announcement brought to their loved ones. 

“I realized how many people genuinely want to celebrate with us,” Tang shares. While they haven’t finalized any details yet, they are exploring options that balance intimacy with inclusivity.

She adds, “It’s one thing to celebrate your love with your partner, but having your village around you makes it more special.”