SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — After a California couple called off their wedding, the bride-to-be's family decided to turn the $35,000 extravagant event into a feast for the homeless.
The bride's mother, Kari Duane, said Sunday that rather than cancel the reception, they invited Sacramento's homeless for a once in a lifetime meal Saturday at the Citizen Hotel, one of the city's finest venues.
Duane said her 27-year-old daughter called her Monday to tell her she and her fiance had decided not go through with the wedding. Soon after, the family decided to share the nonrefundable event with the less fortunate.
"Even though my husband and I were feeling very sad for our daughter, it was heartwarming to see so many people be there and enjoy a meal," Duane said.
She said they had already paid for a reception that would have hosted 120 guests. About 90 homeless single people, grandparents and whole families with newborns showed up and enjoyed a meal that included appetizers, salad, gnocchi, salmon, and even tri-tip. Some even dressed up for the occasion.
Erika Craycraft arrived with her husband and five children.
"To lose out on something so important to yourself and then give it to someone else is really giving, really kind," Craycraft told KCRA-TV.
Part of the wedding price tag includes a nonrefundable honeymoon, so on Sunday mother and daughter set off for Belize.
"I hope that when she looks back at this, she knows she was doing something good with a bad situation," Duane said.
