Jilted bride turns wedding into party for people with disabilities

FARGO, N.D., Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A North Dakota woman whose ex-fiance called off their planned wedding said she is using the wedding arrangements to throw a party for people with disabilities.

Michelle Marxen of Fargo said she and her family had already spent thousands of dollars and signed contracts for a Ramada ballroom, flowers, photographers, limousines and music from local band Tripwire when her fiance called her up and canceled their Oct. 19 nuptials, WDAY-TV, Fargo, reported Monday.

Marxen said she found that she would still have to pay for all of the wedding services, despite canceling the ceremony.

"Contracts are contracts," she said.

Marxen said she and her family decided to transform the planned wedding into a Halloween party for the clients of Creative Care for Reaching Independence, a nonprofit with the goal "to enhance and enrich the lives and learning of people with disabilities."

"I was speechless. I could not believe it. I called the next day to make sure it was for real," Jody Hudson of CCRI said of the donation.

Marxen said it is "absolutely amazing" to be able to make the best of her bad situation.

"What was supposed to be my special day will now be their special day," she said.