When Hurricane Helene Ruined Their Wedding, Strangers Came Together to Save the Big Day
Read all about the acts of kindness that brought their big day to life
Hurricane Helene devastated communities across multiple states when it hit in late September. The major storm destroyed people’s livelihoods, their homes and took countless lives. However, in the midst of all the chaos and darkness that this devastating weather event caused, a group of selfless individuals created a little bit of light for a couple who had planned to tie the knot when the storm hit.
Travis and Jansen Putnam were set to say “I do” on September 28 at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, but Hurricane Helene sent a good majority of their guests away as they were forced to evacuate. Though the couple stayed behind, the plans they initially had for their big day had altered entirely, leaving Jansen devastated.
However, when concierge Katie Kasben saw a distraught and crying bride-to-be the night before what would have been her big day, the selfless woman stepped up to the plate to bring her wedding to life despite the circumstances. With the help of the remaining staff riding out the storm at the inn, it was all hands on deck. And the Putnams weren’t the only couple who had a wedding planned at the Biltmore Estate during Helene—For another couple, the staff worked together to put together a rehearsal dinner and more.
While this celebration was going on, Kasben took her commitment to these brides to the next level by going online and becoming—literally—an ordained minister, just in case she had to step up the plate. Talk about commitment!
Bringing the Hurricane-ruined wedding to life
Despite the wreckage the hurricane brought on, the staff at the Estate made it happen, no questions asked.
“They rearranged the entire courtyard for us,” Jansen told USA Today. “They moved flowers that were elsewhere in the hotel or elsewhere on the property. They moved them so it kind of looked like we had an aisle and everything. They had an idea where the guests would line up to kind of add to that being an aisle.”
Staff and remaining friends and family helped Jansen get wedding ready, from makeshift flower arrangements to giving her the pre-wedding bridal treatment every girl dreams of.
“It was also kind of weird because we couldn’t wash my hair, we hadn’t showered in a couple days,” said the duo to WBTW. “I had to try not to cry so I wouldn’t mess it up, I was just so overwhelmed,” she continued.
The couple says a miracle ‘I do’
Thanks to the countless strangers who pitched in, Jansen and Travis became the Putnams, even under the bittersweet circumstances that Helene provided. Though Travis’ parents couldn’t be there, they were happy to give the couple their blessing to go forward with the wedding in their absence—And Kasben and her crew’s selflessness certainly did not go unnoticed. While they were bringing to life a magical day within the gates of the Biltmore, they remained unaware of what things looked like beyond for their families and homes. Luckily, Kasben’s family was safe from the hurricane, with only their car suffering damage from a tree.
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