Canceled Sacramento wedding leads to feast for the homeless

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTVU) – A would-be bride turned a heartbreaking situation into an unforgettable night.

Her family had planned a beautiful wedding overlooking Sacramento, but her groom got cold feet and backed out last minute.

Rather than cancel the $35,000 outing, the bride’s family invited the homeless for a once in a lifetime meal at one of Sacramento’s finest hotels.

“To lose out on something so important to yourself and then give it to someone else is really giving, really kind,” said one homeless woman who attended the meal.

Many came with their families, giving their kids a rare night out.

One hundred and twenty people were invited to the wedding before it was cancelled, so there was plenty of food to go around.

The food is similar to what you'd find at the hotel's four star restaurant. There's salad, cauliflower, gnocchi, salmon, even tri tip.

While there are plenty of full stomachs and smiles, the night was still painful for the Duane family. Their 27-year-old daughter chose to stay home. 

“I feel a lot of heartache and heartbreak for her, but I will take away something good from this, I will,” said the bride’s mother, Kari Duane.

They turned a night that was supposed to be about their family, into one that takes care of others.

The couple had also booked a honeymoon in advance.

The would-be-bride and her mother decided to go on the trip, and left for Belize over the weekend.