Leeton teacher Stephanie Scott was meant to celebrate her wedding to her childhood sweetheart in front of about 100 guests at a picturesque reception centre in Eugowra.
Now thousands of mourners are expected to head to the venue set in sweeping rose gardens among gum trees in the NSW central west for the 26-year-old's funeral on Wednesday.
Ms Scott's burned body was found dumped in an isolated national park in the NSW Riverina region, five days after she was last seen at her workplace, Leeton High School, on Easter Sunday.
Local cleaner Vincent Stanford, 24, has been charged with her murder. He remains in custody to face court again in June.
For the past 12 months, Ms Scott had been excitedly preparing her wedding to Aaron Leeson-Woolley.
The pair met as children playing soccer in Canowindra, where they grew up.
The close-knit community of Canowindra, with its 2500 residents, is suffering as it deals with losing another young life.
Last September former local boy, Chris Noble, 27, died in a much-publicised unit fire in Rozelle in Sydney's inner west.
Reverend Jono Williams, from the Canowindra Uniting and Anglican Church, will lead the service at the Eugowra function centre.
"The beauty of this town is that we have a strong sense of community and a generosity of spirit," Rev Williams said on Sunday.
"As much as it's hurt, we've got the ability to bond together, unite, and strengthen each other."
He expected thousands to congregate in Eugowra to farewell the bright, bubbly and widely-adored teacher.
Ms Scott and Mr Leeson-Woolley were due to marry last Saturday.
Instead, hundreds of family, friends and locals gathered to celebrate the life of the popular teacher at a picnic in a Leeton park on that day.
A day later, yellow balloons big and small filled the sky over Canowindra in another moving tribute.
Mr Noble's parents this week said their thoughts were with Ms Scott's family.
"Our hearts and thoughts are with them as they start the journey that unfortunately we started seven months ago," said Ross Noble, as his son's alleged killer faced court in Sydney.
Ms Scott's memorial will take place at Eat Your Greens Function Centre in Eugowra at 1pm on Wednesday.
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