From Heartbreak to New Beginnings
A woman who chose to proceed with her wedding day after being left at the altar has announced her recent engagement.
In 2022, Kayley Stead, now 30, became a social media sensation after her fiancé failed to show up on their wedding day. Instead of canceling, she decided to continue with the event, with many guests embracing the unusual situation and agreeing to "just go with this madness." Her video documenting the non-wedding day garnered over 800,000 views online.
Four years later, Kayley has found love once more and shared how her partner surprised her with a proposal.
Rekindled Friendship Leads to Romance
Kayley first met her now fiancé, Richard Perrott, 31, while they were studying the same course at university. After hearing about her wedding day ordeal, Richard reached out to offer support. Their friendship was rekindled, and after two years of dating, they moved in together in Swansea.
He proposed during a visit back to their old campus at the University of Wales Trinity St David in Carmarthen.
"It was just a complete shock," Kayley said.
"We'd spoken about marriage... but I think to put me off the scent, he was always kind of going, 'oh, I don't know whether I do or not'.
"So it was a long game he played."
Continuing the Wedding Day Despite Adversity
Reflecting on her original wedding day, Kayley explained that one motivation for continuing the event was that guests were already gathering and she wanted to set an example, especially for her nieces and nephews who were attending.
"I wanted to kind of prove that these [experiences] don't just exist in songs... that we can still reclaim some fragments of strength in that time," she added.
Rather than cancel the £12,000 wedding, Kayley proceeded with the day and shared photos and videos on social media.
Since then, she has received messages from others sharing their own stories of weddings or events being canceled.
Personal Growth and Future Plans
Kayley reflected on how people often retreat into their own space after break-ups, which is understandable, but reclaiming her strength during that moment profoundly influenced her.
"People, when they go through break-ups just want to kind of go into their own bubble which they have their right to do," she said.
"But reclaiming my strength and love in that moment has shaped me so much more.
"It's made me a more confident person. It's made me stand up for myself."
Kayley and Richard are planning to marry in April 2028.
