Jilted bride left at altar, so she throws a party instead...

PhilipMSPT · 11-03-09, 02:48 PM

If life throws you a lemon, make lemonade!

Quote:

Teanne Harris, bride jilted at altar, turns Halloween-themed wedding into party for senior citizens
By Corky Siemaszko
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

A jilted bride turned her heartache into a Happy Halloween for hundreds of senior citizens.

Teanne Harris, who lives outside of Chicago, was supposed to walk down the aisle Saturday when her fiance suddenly got cold feet.

And when Harris and her mom went to retrieve their deposit from the suburban catering hall where the reception was to be held, they were told it was too late.

Sitting in the parking lot sad and depressed, Harris was commiserating with her mom, Bari, when they glanced over at the Asbury Court Retirement Community across the street - and a light bulb went off in their heads.

"It was a hurtful time for her," said Mary Eichenfeld, the resident services director at the facility in Des Plaines, Il. "They were just sitting in their car and decided to make something good out of the disastrous situation."

Instead of letting a Halloween-themed wedding reception go to waste, Harris, 34, and her mom decided to move the festivities across the street.

"She came in one day and said she wanted to make a donation," said Eichenfeld. "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."

By all account, the bash was a blast. The wedding DJ played oldies. The tables were decked out with candy jars and feathered masquerade masks. The banquet hall served up a senior-friendly meal. And the guests dressed up as everything from Dracula to Raggedy Ann.

As for the bridal bouquet, Harris had it placed in the chapel of the old folks' home.

"She came to the party and while I saw her smiling, I'm sure she was feeling pretty bad," said Eichenfeld.

Harris's mom, Bari, said she too felt sad for her daughter but glad she could give the seniors a treat.

"Yes, there's mixed emotion," she told the local CBS station. "It could have been a lot worse, just sitting at home, knowing that nothing was used."

Harris was believed to be en route to Hawaii on Monday and could not be reached for comment. Her intended, who is identified on her on-line wedding registry as Matt Harker, did not return a call for comment.

"That was supposed to be her honeymoon, but she's going alone," said Eichenfeld. "I say good for her. I hope she finds a nice guy who deserves her."

G Star · 11-03-09, 03:06 PM

Glad there are still people in this world, when given a negative situation, has the courage to turn the energy around.

LiCelsior · 11-03-09, 03:28 PM

that was nice of her.

O. L. T. · 11-03-09, 03:48 PM

Now show me someone that looks like Shannon Elizabeth with that attitude on life and I'll show up at the alter.

spooln7 · 11-04-09, 01:10 AM

That was very nice of her to do!

Milla... · 11-04-09, 07:31 AM

She seems like a really wonderful person..

NemeGuero · 11-04-09, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O. L. T.

Now show me someone that looks like Shannon Elizabeth with that attitude on life and I'll show up at the alter.

For reals. Cuz if that picture is her, I see why she was left at the alter. haha

bitkahuna · 11-04-09, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NemeGuero

For reals. Cuz if that picture is her, I see why she was left at the alter. haha

that's really brutal.

most people are not 'goregous' and many who appear to be aren't once the make-up, jewelry etc. come off.

no idea why the groom to be got cold feet, could be he just wasn't ready or was scared, but it's good to see she did something positive with the day.

NemeGuero · 11-04-09, 10:30 AM

She doesn't have to be gorgeous.. she just looks like she's going to eat that pineapple in one bite.

Gojirra99 · 11-04-09, 10:54 AM

Ummm, you still have to consider what the groom looks like too, which we don't know ....

dreyfus · 11-06-09, 10:49 AM

Kudos to her turning her heartache into a blessing for the oldsters across the way. That was a class act.

UncleRay · 11-06-09, 09:13 PM

Phil! Stop posting stories about your self... it's bad for your self esteem :P

NemeGuero · 11-06-09, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreyfus

Kudos to her turning her heartache into a blessing for the oldsters across the way. That was a class act.

Mmmm
DID YOU SAY KUDOS?!

haha

ok, no more fat jokes.

UncleRay · 11-07-09, 04:37 PM

mmarshall · 11-08-09, 05:06 PM

Jilted?

Hmmm.........I wonder if she is aware of Breach-of-Promise laws. Those laws are serious buisness. When you make an engagement and a promise to marry someone, you had better MEAN what you say. There could end up being a wedding, one way or another.