The Two Bulls wildfire is causing cancellations and closures all over Bend as officials ask residents to stay indoors. But one outdoor wedding not only happened, but captured the photo of a lifetime.
April Hartley and Michael Wolber had picked their dream location in the great outdoors months ago. But on the day of their wedding, word came of the evacuation notices because of the wildfire. Just before Hartley was supposed to walk down the aisle, she said the fire trucks pulled up and she was told they had to get out of the area. A small brush fire six miles away was quickly moving toward the ceremony site, and growing bigger.
But the groom, Michael Wolber, refused to leave, at least not right away. He told Fox12 that he had to marry Hartley that day and he had to marry her at the spot they had picked together.
Their wish was granted and after a quick ceremony, the wedding guests packed up and moved to the backup reception location.
“In tears, her father announced to all the guests that we had to move the wedding. Incredibly, the fireman then told us we could have the ceremony and then had to leave,” wrote in his Instagram post.
“I've never seen anything like what happened next. Everyone moved the entire wedding to a park in Bend, all with smiles and good attitudes. It showed everyone at the wedding what really mattered — the people and the couple. The location change didn't affect the wedding at all, it was the most beautiful day.”
Copyright 2014 Oregon Public Broadcasting
