Chicago Area Local News

DES PLAINES, Ill. (CBS) ― Teanne Harris, the jilted bride, is speaking publicly for the very first time. Harris' story garnered national and international attention after her husband to be, got cold feet, six days before their wedding. So Harris decided to donate all of the things that would have been at her wedding reception, to a retirement home.

As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, the seniors thanked Harris for her generosity in a very special way on Wednesday.

More than 300 seniors applauded as Harris walked into the Asbury Court Retirement Community in Des Plaines. She held back tears as she was presented with a large thank you card and a spa day gift certificate.

"It meant so much to me that everyone could have so much fun, on a day that was hard for me, but it made it a little bit easier somehow. I just really appreciate all of you," Harris said while trying not to cry.

After addressing the seniors, one by one, many came up to Harris to hug her. One senior told Harris, "We love you!" Another held Harris' shoulder tight and told her, "God must have better things in store for you. And they'll come to you."

The residents of Asbury Court Retirement Community in Des Plaines also serenaded Harris with songs. They sang, "You Are My Sunshine" to her and "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow."

"I never had expected anything. I didn't do this, you know, because of what I could get out of it. It was just trying to turn, what was bad, or what was going to be wasted, into something good for someone," Harris said.

Harris was supposed to get married on Halloween. Six days before her wedding, the groom got cold feet.

So Harris and her family decided to donate the DJ, food, flowers and party favors, to Asbury Court. Harris said she's stunned by all the attention she's gotten for her random act of kindness. She's received more than 500 emails.

"Just seeing how it's touched everyone, you know, across the world and it's just amazing. I never had intended for anything to come back to me. I never wanted my name mentioned to begin with. I wanted to kind of be left out of it. It was just something nice for the seniors," she said.

Asbury Court resident Karen Hamelburg said that what Harris did for the seniors meant the world to her.

"I kind of know a little of what happened to her. I had a taste of it. And you do find someone wonderful down the line," Hamelburg said. "God has many ways to do things. We never know why. It'll turn out. She's too lovely not to turn out," Hamelburg said.

Asbury Court Marketing Director Ellen Mostardini, organized the surprise for Harris.

"Generous deeds in today's lifestyle and economy don't come as easy as people think that they really do. What she did was wonderful for them. There's a lot of people here that don't have the opportunity to have such warmth in their life," Mostardini said.

"Seeing what good it's caused, that's what's made me go ahead, you know, and face the cameras and speak," Harris said.

After Harris' nuptial nightmare, her father set up a website, thejiltedbride.com. Her mother, Bari Harris, said she couldn't believe how many people have faced similar circumstances. Many have shared their experiences on the website.

"We're hoping that it's going to help many people move forward, when they do have a situation like this," said Bari Harris.

The website offers advice on everything from wedding insurance to a forum where people can share their stories and get advice. Harris' mother said they'll even be posting retirement homes across the nation, so brides will know where they can donate.

What's next for Teanne Harris?

"I'm not sure," she said. "I know I'm not going to allow this to keep me down. I just look forward to what my next chapter in my life is and not letting this set me back. I am, who I am, because of what I've gone through."

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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