Pennsylvania Wedding Guest Charged After Punching Bride in the Face

John Cianci, 26, of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, was charged with multiple offenses after allegedly punching the bride in the face at a wedding reception on August 29, 2025, at The Woods at Eisler Farms in Butler County, Pennsylvania. According to the criminal complaint obtained by CBS News, Cianci became “extremely angry and violent” after being cut off from alcohol service. He allegedly delivered a “roundhouse” punch to the left side of the bride’s face, knocking her to the ground, then struck three additional guests who attempted to intervene. Cianci was released on $5,000 bail.

The Incident

The altercation occurred during the reception when venue staff cut off Cianci’s alcohol service. The criminal complaint states his behavior escalated rapidly, culminating in the punch that knocked the bride to the ground. When other guests stepped in to restrain him, Cianci allegedly struck three of them as well. The complaint also noted the incident caused “public inconvenience, annoyance and alarm” to the other guests present.

Charges

Cianci was charged with four counts each of simple assault, disorderly conduct, and harassment, as well as one count of public drunkenness. The charges reflect both the physical attacks on multiple victims and the broader disruption caused. Potential penalties include fines, probation, or jail time depending on the outcome of trial or any plea agreement.

The case drew comparisons to a separate Florida incident in which a man named Rontae Stokes allegedly pushed a bride to the ground at a wedding reception in Largo, was charged with felony battery and criminal mischief, and allegedly threw a ceramic lawn chair into a glass door while assaulting multiple guests. Both incidents highlighted concerns about alcohol management at event venues and the vulnerability of wedding receptions to guest misconduct.

References: Wedding Guest Charged with Assault After Allegedly Punching Bride | Man punches bride at Connoquenessing Township wedding | Pittsburgh-area man charged with punching bride in face at wedding after being “cut off” from alcohol, police say