Jilted Bride Turns Reception into Halloween Party for Senior Citizens

After getting dumped just before her wedding, a would-be bride turned her reception into a celebration for seniors at an assisted living facility,

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on November 08 2009

Image: iStockphoto

For Teanne Harris, who’d spent months planning her fun and festive October 31st wedding, Halloween was meant to be the happiest day of her life. But not long before the planned nuptials, the groom got cold feet and backed out.

Harris, of course, was devastated. But after finding out that she wouldn’t be able to get a refund on any of her deposits for the big day, she and her mother decided to make the best of a bad situation—and donate the entire reception to a senior citizens’ center across the street from the catering hall in Des Plaines, Ill., where it was meant to be held.

“She came in one day and said she wanted to make a donation,” Mary Eichenfeld, the resident services director of the Asbury Court Retirement Community, told the New York Daily News. “I don’t think she knew anybody here, and we don’t get offers like that. So we were thrilled and so were our residents. It came out of the blue.”

Despite Harris’ heartbreak, she turned the would-be wedding into a wonderful costume party for the group of seniors, complete with fun decorations, a senior-friendly buffet, and a DJ who spun oldies tunes all night. The residents dressed up in costumes and had a blast at their impromptu Halloween party—and Harris even made an appearance at the event, smiling and chatting with her new friends.

After the big Halloween bash, Harris took off for her Hawaii honeymoon, sans groom, to enjoy a beautiful beachside vacation. Though it may not be at the top of her mind, Eichenfeld is hoping that Harris’ Hawaiian stay provides an opportunity for a new romance. “I say good for her. I hope she finds a nice guy who deserves her.”

Filed under: General Interest,

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