Local Couple Rebuilds Wedding Venue


Just days before their wedding, a couple woke up to the unimaginable, a massive tree had crashed into the space that was supposed to become their wedding venue and, eventually, their home.

Despite the damage, the couple still plans to hold their wedding at the original location next week. Making that possible has taken plenty of hard work and support from family, friends and local businesses.

“Just tons of emotions, just totally devastated, to be honest,” said Alyssa McIntyre, the bride to be.

When McIntyre learned a massive tree had come crashing onto the property Thursday during the storms, she was left speechless.

“Our neighbor’s tree actually came down and partially crushed our garage that we have been working on for the past year as part of our wedding venue,” McIntyre said.

McIntyre and her fiancé had been renovating his grandfather’s home to host their wedding and eventually make it their home. But the storm brought that work to a sudden halt.

“Just how much hard work we put in, the heart and soul of everything we were doing for our wedding. Just that pure devastation. We were already having last-minute jitters and anxiety and trying to figure out seating charts and napkins and tables and figuring everything else out”, said McIntryre.

Thanks to local businesses, including J. Thomas Tree Service, along with family and friends, cleanup and repairs began almost immediately.

The massive tree caused significant damage to the garage, but no one was hurt. It took several days to remove the tree and begin cleaning up the property.

McIntyre said that, although she isn’t originally from the Erie area, she has been blown away by the support from local businesses and is excited to call Erie her new home.

According to McIntyre, “Four days ago, I didn’t think this was going to happen. I thought we were going to have to postpone and cancel and call everyone. And just the fact we are still able to have this celebration and continue the party has me excited.”

The couple still plans to celebrate their wedding next week at the original location.

They are also finding a way to turn the unexpected damage into part of their special day. The couple plans to use a piece of the tree trunk as a guest book, allowing their wedding guests to sign it and making sure the tree remains a part of their story.