Newlyweds donate and serve reception food to women’s shelter

One couple has turned their cancelled wedding reception into an opportunity to give back to their community, putting the prepaid caterer to good use.

A pair of Ohio newlyweds turned their cancelled wedding reception into an act of kindness.

After their dream wedding reception was cancelled amid the pandemic, the couple decided to repurpose their prepaid catered wedding feast to be served at a children and women’s shelter instead.

In a series of heartwarming pictures shared to Facebook, the couple can be seen arriving at Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Centre in Cleveland – complete in wedding gown and tux – and donning face masks and hair nets before proceeding to share their wedding feast with everyone present.

“When Melanie and Tyler’s formal wedding reception was cancelled due to COVID-19, they decided they not only wanted to donate their reception food to our guests at Laura’s Home, but also to serve the meal in their gown and suit!” the City Mission explained in a Facebook post.

“We pray this amazing couple is blessed immensely in their marriage, and thank them for inviting our guests to their wedding feast.”

These newlyweds are here to make your day! When Melanie and Tyler's formal wedding reception was canceled due to...

Posted by The City Mission on Saturday, August 15, 2020

On August 15th, Melanie and Tyler Tapajna were still married in front of their family and friends before heading straight to the shelter, ditching the 150-person reception they originally had planned.

The couple’s wedding menu included fried chicken, green beans, salad and mac and cheese.

“It was really either have the big wedding or donate the food,” bride Melanie told CNN.

“We were actually kind of excited I think more about donating the food than being stressed during the wedding.”

The pictures show Melanie and Tyler dishing out food and meeting people at the facility, sometimes wearing hairnets, but always equipped with masks. Picture: Facebook/The City Mission

The couple happily dished out food, still clad in their wedding attire. Picture: Facebook/The City Mission

The couple said they hope their donation inspired others whose plans have been derailed by the virus. Picture: Facebook/The City Mission

More than 130 women and children were able to enjoy the meal, thanks to the newlyweds.

Shelter organisers said they’ve never seen anything like this before, according to local news reports.

The couple hopes to give heart to other newlyweds, whose plans and weddings have been derailed by the pandemic.

“You can definitely give back in times like this,” Melanie said.