Dumped Before Her Wedding, Bride Turns Reception into Dinner for the Homeless

When a groom got cold feet before his wedding, his bride-to-be donated her special day to the homeless.

Dana Olsen, 29, was faced with a difficult situation on what would have been one of the most memorable days of her life. Olsen and her fiance, who were both born in Seattle, planned to say their vows to one another at Sodo Park, a fancy hall venue they booked together for their wedding day in Seattle.

According to the Seattle Times, the entire reception had been paid for and the preparations were ready, however, when the groom got cold feet, Olsen was forced to call off the wedding. Unable to request a refund, Olsen decided to give her special day away to homeless families.

Olsen remained positive and told her best friend and maid of honor, Katie McCary:

“I’m going to have a bad day. Other people might as well have a good night.”

Many of the needy families in attendance at the reception were from Mary’s Place, a homeless shelter and non-profit. A team of hair stylists and make-up artists from Lala’s Cuts salon in Queen Anne generously provided make-overs for those attending the charity event. Nearly 100 homeless individuals and their families were invited to the reception that included a delicious feast, a live band and dancing.

Olsen said her family was dumbfounded as to why the wedding was called off. McCary said the bride-to-be was “devastated” by the turn of events, but that “she is very strong.”

With an entire non-refundable wedding reception on her hands, Dana asked her mother, Karen Olsen, to donate it to the neediest. Her mother said of her daughter:

“I’m proud of her.”

The family got the idea of providing the special evening for the homeless from Olsen’s father who volunteers as a cook at Compass Center shelter. Turning down her girlfriends’ suggestion to go partying on Saturday, Olsen decided to go hiking on the six-mile Crest Trail with her father in Palm Springs, California.

Her mother told the Times:

“He’s a big teddy bear. He’s the perfect guy for her to be with today.”

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