The Jilted Bride: When Weddings Go Awry

As the saying goes, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” For Wendy and Peter, those words couldn’t have been more true - and not in the way they had initially intended.

It had been a cross-country, whirlwind romance for them. Wendy had caught sight of Peter at a conference out West, and when it was his turn to give his presentation, she felt something strange and unfamiliar wash over her, like out of an all-too familiar Disney movie. When he chanced upon her gaze, it was love at first sight and transcontinental love notes were sent by the boatload afterwards. After months of longing and fighting the urge to hop on a plane and see Peter, Wendy finally broke down and accepted his proposal.

The day of the wedding arrived, and it was to be the perfect, cheerful event that Wendy had anticipated. The sun was shining, the grass was perfectly manicured, and the guests were milling about whilst speaking of the promise of a good union between two people so obviously meant for each other. Wendy took her place at the altar, the light glinting off of the precious diamond tucked beneath the black satin of her dress, and waited for Peter to arrive with bated breath.

But as time dragged on, it became obvious that some mysterious force had conspired to keep the groom from walking down the aisle. Hours past and still he did not appear. Finally, as the groom’s side of the church began to clear out, one of Peter’s friends arrived with a note. Peter had left town with someone else just a few days before and had forgotten to call off the wedding.

Wendy had trusted someone who had broken the promise that comes along with marriage, leaving Wendy heartbroken and humiliated. As the emotions of Wendy’s broken heart cascaded down her face, the bridesmaids emerged from the shadows and enveloped her in an embrace like an impenetrable white armor to protect her from the cruelty of the world.

In the aftermath of the abandoned wedding ceremony, Wendy has found a unique strength and understanding within herself that she otherwise may have missed. She can look back at what happened with a greater understanding and appreciation of herself and the attributes that make her a strong and resilient woman.

Wendy’s situation is a reminder to always trust your intuition. In the excitement and hopefulness of a future union, it can be easy to overlook uncharacteristic behavior from someone that is closest to you. But if you always listen to your gut and never let yourself be defined by someone else’s actions- true love, when it does come, will be made all the more beautiful.