Bride-to-be turns cancelled wedding into a night for the homeless

After a number of calls cancelling her $30,000 wedding, Sarah Cummins opened the doors of her reception to the local homeless people of Indiana.

Sarah Cummins, right, hugging one of the many homeless guest that she invited after cancelling the $30,000 event. Source: AAP

After two years of planning Sarah Cummins and her fiancé called off their wedding with only a week to go.

The reason for the sudden cancellation is unknown, but the two were left with a non-refundable booking for 170 guests at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, a suburb north of Indiana.  

Not wanting the event to go to waste, Cummins’ decided to host a dinner extending an invitation to local shelter residents and families.

The guest list also included a dozen homeless veterans from the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation.

Cummins’ arranged two buses to pick up the individuals who spent the night being wined and dined. They were treated to a menu including bourbon-glazed meatballs, goat cheese and roasted garlic bruschetta, chicken breast with artichokes and Chardonnay cream sauce and even the wedding cake.

The 25-year-old pharmacy student was determined to make the night a positive experience for herself and her guests.

Trishell Crawford and her daughter Jacqueline Crawford, were one of the many guests at the cancelled reception. Source: AAP

She told local newspaper, the Indianapolis Star, “I called everyone, cancelled, apologised, cried, called vendors, cried some more and then I started feeling really sick about just throwing all the food I ordered for the reception."

For Cummins’ this was an opportunity to show her new guests that they deserved to be at a place like the Ritz Charles just as much as anyone else does.

News of Cummins’ act of kindness caused a ripple effect. Indianapolis man, Matt Guanzon was among the many who were inspired, donating suits from his own closet so that attendees could dress up for the event.

Erik Jensen, a guest from Wheeler Mission was grateful to be the recipient of Cummins’ and Araujo’s kindness.

“It’s just a really great opportunity for us… it’s a great opportunity to spread love."

The Ritz Charles was opened to homeless people after Sarah Cummins cancelled her wedding. Source: AAP