The small NSW town of Leeton has never been in "so much shock" following the alleged murder of bride-to-be Stephanie Scott, the town's mayor says.
Vincent Stanford, 24, was charged on Thursday with murdering the high school teacher four days after she went missing from Leeton in the Riverina.
The search for Ms Scott's body continues.
Speaking on Friday, Leeton Shire mayor Paul Maytom said the community was devastated by Ms Scott's death.
"To know tomorrow was her wedding day ... now we have this terrible sadness," he told the Nine Network.
"It is just very hard to comprehend, to tell you the truth. I haven't really seen the town in so much shock."
He said the school where Ms Scott worked had counselling available for students on Friday.
Although Ms Scott's body is yet to be found, Stanford, a cleaner at Leeton High School where she worked, is accused of killing the 26-year-old.
Police spent Thursday at his Leeton home, which neighbours say he shared with his mother and a brother, after seizing his Toyota Hilux the night before.
Mr Maytom said flower tributes to Ms Scott had been left outside the school where she worked.
"There are just so many messages there of love, talking about what a lovely lady Stephanie was and how much they love her as a teacher," he said.
She was "just a great person in our community".
"It is just such a terrible time for everyone," Mr Maytom said.
He said he had not yet talked to Ms Scott's family.
"I do want to give them time to help and manage through this. I would like to catch up with the family later on today to pass on our condolences on behalf of the community."
He said the growing memorial at the school was one way to help the townspeople grieve over the death of the popular English and drama teacher.
Mr Maytom said counselling was being offered at Leeton Council Chambers on Friday for the town's 6700 residents.
The close-knit community of Canowindra, where Ms Scott and her fiance, Aaron Leeson-Woolley, grew up, is also in mourning.
Reverend Jonathon Williams said its 2500 residents were suffering.
"We're a small town. You expect it to happen in the cities ... so for it to happen to people who are so loved by a small town like this is really, really difficult," he told the ABC.
Canowindra was still mourning the death of another former local, Chris Noble, who died in a unit fire in Rozelle in Sydney's inner west in September, Rev Williams said.
The Leeton community has rallied around Ms Scott's family and Mr Leeson-Woolley, who visited the memorial on Thursday night.
The school's fence is adorned with yellow balloons, ribbons and tributes symbolising friendship.
Rather than preparing for Saturday's wedding, Mr Leeson-Woolley hugged friends and wiped away tears as he read the messages left by students and colleagues.
The childhood sweethearts were due to marry in front of 100 guests in Eugowra, about 30km from Canowindra.
Her parents, Merrilyn and Robert Scott, walked the length of the balloon-adorned fence on Thursday night while candles were lit for Ms Scott.
