A destructive tornado swept through a Nebraska town just a day before a couple's wedding, causing them to celebrate in the dark.
The day before their wedding reception was due to take place, a tornado hit Waterloo, Nebraska, located to the west of Omaha. This was part of a larger outbreak of severe thunderstorms that had swept across the central US over the weekend. The storms brought heavy rain, large hail and destructive tornadoes, leaving four victims dead in Oklahoma, and leaving a trail of destruction in Iowa and Nebraska.
The village of Waterloo was one of the areas affected by this storm, with numerous homes being damaged according to a news release from the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency. The Brackers' wedding reception venue, A View West Shores, was also hit and lost power as a result.
Despite the exceptional circumstances and significant disruption, the Brackers decided not to delay or cancel their wedding reception. Both Austin and Jessica are nurses who met at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri, and currently live near the city, with Jessica hailing from Omaha, Nebraska, and Austin coming from Springfield, Missouri.
The couple's marriage ceremony itself took place at a church that thankfully escaped the storm's damage, but the reception venue, which was A View West Shores, had to make necessary adjustments. They moved the festivities from the indoor setting to a covered walkway outdoors.
The venue's owner, Brandi Goldapp, explained how they managed to keep the celebration running, by connecting with other local vendors for additional generators. The venue also used freedom stick lights and LED stick lights to illuminate the setting.
"We will do anything for our clients," Goldapp said. He described the event as "the most amazing wedding that we could have ever had in this situation."
Austin Bracker shared his perspective, explaining that they were just happy to be with each other and adapted to the changed circumstances. "We just rolled with it," he told CNN.
The guests, numbering over 300, also demonstrated resilience and positivity. Jessica Bracker thanked them for their understanding and support. "They're here to celebrate us, which we feel very fortunate for," she stated. "Our prayers go out to those that were affected by the storms that passed through the area."
Previously, Jessica Bracker had spent 10 months planning and coordinating this special day, full of happy and stressful tears. The sudden storm put a significant dent in these plans, but the supportive families and friends managed to transform the event into something special. "We are so fortunate and blessed to have the family and friends that we do that made the day as amazing as it possibly could have given the situation," she said.
Janet Sueper, the bride's great-aunt, praised the collaborative effort, "Everyone participated in chipping in and hustling to make it special," she told CNN.
Nash Thompson, a friend of the couple, added, "Despite everything that happened, everybody showed up, made it what it is. A lot of people love these guys. That's what it's all about."
The event was indeed a unique and memorable experience for all involved.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
