A bride who continued with her wedding despite being jilted at the altar said she has no regrets - because it meant her mum saw her 'big day' before she died. Kayley Stead, 27, discovered she wasn't going to marry her partner of almost four years the morning of her do.
Despite the heartbreak, Kayley decided to go ahead with the big day, surrounded by her loved ones - including mum Dee, 65. She did her wedding entrance, meal, speeches, dances and even posed for professional photos without her groom.
Insurance clerk Kayley, who lives in Portmead, Swansea, Wales, has spoken out for the first time since moving on from her heartbreak to reveal she has no regrets. Her mum Dee died just four months after the wedding, and defying convention by going on with her big day despite being jilted, means she got to see Kayley's big day.
Kayley also revealed she isn't ready to date yet and is instead committing to the biggest love of her life - herself. She claims she still hasn't spoken to her runaway groom - five months after he ditched her.
But incredibly she said she doesn't "resent him" - instead saying: "He must've really been struggling with something. It must be hard for him right now because he's going through a break-up just as much as I am."
She might have missed out on her honeymoon - which she hasn't been on yet - but she helped her heartache by going on an epic girls' trip to New York. Inspirational Kayley said: "I haven't cashed the honeymoon in - my mum passed away, which has been another horrible thing.
"But it makes me even more glad I went ahead with the day and had the opportunity to make those memories with her. She got to see me dancing with my dad - who always said he wouldn't dance at my wedding!
"When one door closes, a window opens. And I want to pull that window open as much as possible, and soak up all the sun." Kayley and her ex started dating in December 2018 and got engaged when he proposed in August 2020.
The morning of her wedding she found out he'd left his groomsman - and hadn't returned. Initially, she sobbed - but eventually the two wedding parties headed into the ceremony room together and told the guests what had happened.
They all headed out to the garden to meet Kayley instead - and they went on with the wedding on September 15 at Oxwich Bay Hotel in Gower, Swansea, Wales. Kayley was joined by the groomsmen and bridesmaids as they sang and danced along to Lizzo's 'Good as Hell' on their way to the top table.
She replaced her first dance with a boogie with her dad, brothers and the groomsmen to 'Love You To The Moon and Back' by Dolly Parton. Kayley walked through her sparkler tunnel alone and partied the night away before spending the night in the bridal suite with her maid of honour.
The last few months have certainly not been easy for her - but Kayley's determined to put the past behind her and live life to the full. "It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, to be honest," she said.
"Not just because of the breakup - but loads of people have been reaching out to me saying my story resonated, because they were going through the same thing. A lot of it has been incredible.
"I've met people I never thought I was going to meet - Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield, even Kelly Clarkson!" Shortly after the 'wedding,' Kayley made an appearance on This Morning. During her segment, she was told by Holly and Phillip her cancelled honeymoon would go ahead - thanks to a £2,000 gift from the show and travel company, Hays Travel.
Unfortunately, all future plans were put on hold due to the death of her mum at the end of 2022. Despite a horrendous few months, Kayley doesn't look back at her former relationship with any regrets.
"With every relationship, it's really easy to look from the outside in and vice-versa," she said. It's really easy to say, 'this wasn't right for me.'
"But it felt right at the time. During the relationship, I was wholeheartedly committed to my ex, as well as my future with him.
"I'm a new Kayley now, so I'm glad it happened. I haven't heard from him since.
"I don't resent him for what he did, either. Looking back on what happened - I came home to a house with all his stuff still in it. It shows he acted on impulse, so he must've really been struggling with something.
"It must be hard for him right now because he's going through a break-up just as much as I am. As much as he was my partner, he was also my best friend - and I just wish he'd have come to me, even as a friend, to let me know he was struggling."
Kayley isn't currently looking to date, and has no plans to enter a new relationship anytime soon. "I'm not ready at the minute, especially after losing my mum," she said.
"It was weird going out without my engagement ring. I just need to focus on myself a bit more.
"I'm taking free therapy sessions from my work, I'm journaling, I'm saying 'yes' to everything - including a trip to New York with my best friend." While she hasn't been able to go on a honeymoon just yet, Kayley's once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York was more empowering than she realised.
"I never thought I would because [my ex] didn’t like New York. I went to Madison Square Garden, it was incredible! I'm not Kayley-and-someone-else now.
"I'm just Kayley. I've had incredible highs and incredible lows. In fact, I'd love to go back and do the whole wedding on my own again, as I am now. I think I'd enjoy it 10-times more!"
