Weddings are supposed to be filled with love, fun, and celebration, but this bride was on the verge of having the worst and saddest day of her life if she didn’t rise above the grief. Kayley Stead, 27, and Kallum Norton, 24, had been dating since 2018, and Kallum finally asked Kayley to marry him in December 2020. Kayley had spent her life savings on the couple’s wedding, which was set to take place on September 15, 2022.

When Kayley’s bridesmaids discovered from one groomsman that Kallum had already fled, one of her bridesmaids hid her phone, and when Kayley saw her phone, there was a missed call from her groom’s mother, so she called her and learned everything. Kayley had to break the news to her hairdresser, videographer, and parents, but her videographer tried to cheer her up by telling her to just carry on because she had already spent all of her money, so why not just enjoy the day?

The photographer asked Kayley to pose in the garden, and instead of a newlywed photo, they captured her in her stunning wedding gown. Kayley’s groomsmen and bridesmaids escorted her through the door. They sang and danced to “Good as Hell” by Lizzo.

The guests were initially depressed due to the betrayal, but Kayley’s upbeat attitude encouraged everyone to enjoy and celebrate the day with her. Kayley is now a happy single lady, and her best friend and maid of honor, Jordie Cullen, started a GoFundMe campaign to help her recover the $13,000 she lost.