A wedding is an exceptional day packed with moments as magical as a Cinderella-themed laser-beam wedding cake. There are vows, tears, music, food, and, most importantly, love (oh, and an open bar).
Weddings are indeed extraordinary occasions, but some brides take their days to new, magical heights of wedding wonderment by giving their day an extra pinch of special. For instance, one paralyzed bride built up the strength to walk down the aisle on her big day. Another performed a unique dance with her dad. And sometimes, it’s not even the bride herself that makes a wedding unforgettable.
Yet it takes a very strong woman to make a wedding that didn’t even happen seem magical — and we found one cool lady who did just that. Her groom-to-be left her just days before their wedding, and her response to his callous behavior is truly remarkable.
Read on to see her brilliant response to her ex-fiancé’s cold feet, and make sure to SHARE this amazing story with everyone you love!
Shelby Swink, 23, met her ex-fiancé in college back in 2011. The couple got engaged and planned for a lovely fall ceremony in November of 2014.
She poured her heart and soul into her dream wedding. Then, five days before they were set to tie the knot, the unthinkable happened…
“My fiancé and I sat down and he told me that he was not in love with me,” said Swink. The man she thought she was going to spend the rest of her life with did not want to spend the rest of his life with her.
That’s when her photographer, Elizabeth Hoard, came up with a brilliant idea: Trash the dress!
They would document the whole thing as an act of rebellion! At first, Swink thought it was a crazy idea…
...but, “A pity party was the farthest thing from what I wanted or needed,” said the spunky bride.
Swink let the idea sink in and eventually came to the conclusion that trashing the dress would be cathartic. “After all, it was just a dress, a material item,” she said.
So, on the date of her wedding that never was, Swink and her bridesmaids painted the town red…green, blue, and yellow!
“The moment the paint hit my dress…I was free. All the disappointment, all the hurt…I just felt it leave me,” said Swink.
"I let go of all the hurt and became myself again," she said.
Luckily, Swink has a strong support system.
Including her parents.
Who got in on the fun as well!
Her Pop popped some champagne and lit celebratory cigars.
Even her mom, who bought Swink the pricy bridal gown, was incredibly supportive.
Needless to say, it was a colorful experience.
Everyone involved had a blast!
Swink’s dress was later displayed at The Barefoot Bride in Memphis. Each time someone buys a dress while her spiffy number stands proudly in the store, part of the proceeds will go to the local nonprofit Be Free Revolution.
If she had to say one thing to her ex-fiancé, it would be, “Thank you for sparing me greater pain and loss down the road. Thank you for pushing me to realize my own strength…”
“...Thank you for teaching me that no one can take away my happiness. Thank you for letting me go so I can one day experience true reciprocated love. THANK YOU!”
We have no doubt that this gorgeous — and gutsy! — girl will find love once again.
What would you have done her this woman’s shoes? Tell us in the comments below and make sure to SHARE this with all your friends and family!
