Principal wanted to include entire school community in wedding—received a sweet surprise from students
A person's found family might become a big part of their lives and special moments. A school principal also hoped to include her entire school community on her wedding day. However, she didn't think that such a thing would be possible to pull off. Little did the principal at Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School know that her assistant principal had already put a plan for a sweet wedding surprise in motion. The founding principal, Brianna Lanoye, was really moved to see everyone from her school community at her wedding, per Good Morning America.
The school's assistant principal, Courtney Champlin, worked in tandem with the staff members, the current students and the former students to arrange a wedding on the school grounds for Brianna. The principal had no idea about the plan and was pleasantly surprised by the event. "It meant everything to me," Brianna expressed. Her fiancé, Zach, was also in on the plan and was waiting for her at the altar. "Just having him there as well, as a part of our school community, it was really beautiful and I couldn't believe that he was part of it as well." Courtney told Brianna that they would be attending a school event on October 3.
However, when it was time to get out, she was given a veil to wear and at the moment, Brianna put two and two together. Courtney enlisted two students from each grade level at the elementary school. They acted as class representatives in the student procession that walked Brianna down the aisle. Many of the former students talked about relationships and love during the ceremony and touched their former school principal's heart. Brianna went on, "I firmly believe there's no better truth than our students' words. So to hear them share their reflections was, yeah, really powerful. They did such a good job. And we always want to elevate student voices. So it was really cool to hear them."
"I am still shocked. It was so special," Brianna told 13WHAM ABC News about the surprise. "If she could invite every kid to her wedding, she totally would," Courtney explained, before she planned the surprise wedding. The principal had seen many students in dresses before she learned about the surprise wedding and thought something was strange. Everything made sense after Courtney revealed the big surprise. "I literally told three girls, 'Oh my god, can I wear that for my wedding?'" an excited Brianna exclaimed. All the excited students cheered for her as she walked down the aisle. "I will never forget the difference you made in my life," one of her former students said in his speech.
Her students also offered sweet and humorous wedding advice. "Dear Ms. Lanoye, promise to love Zach even on Mondays before coffee," a girl remarked. Everybody chuckled as the principal agreed to it. The students had planned the couple's wedding vows as well. The couple also gave each other candy rings arranged by the students. The school participated in the wedding dance after the ceremony. "It was more than I ever thought anyone would do for me," Brianna expressed. The woman's actual wedding was held on the school grounds as well on October 12.
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