NORTH AUGUSTA — With white fluffy clouds dotting a bright, blue sunshine-filled sky and a light breeze blowing on the Crowne Plaza North Augusta’s rooftop, it was the perfect setting for a fall wedding.
In a bilingual afternoon ceremony Sept. 28, Alexandra Sotelo and Jack Fair promised to love and honor each other “whatever life may throw at you both.” Before they said “I do” in Spanish and English, the couple had already overcome multiple challenges just to have a wedding – thanks to Hurricane Helene.
Jack Fair said he didn’t think much about the predictions of a hurricane hitting the area and potentially disrupting their wedding plans.
“I never imagined this. Every time a hurricane comes, it’s like my patio chair falls over, but this — not so much,” he said.
About 10 members of the bride’s family traveled from Peru, and a tree fell on the Airbnb where they were staying. Other friends drove 15 hours from Texas to witness the wedding. Postponing it was not an option.
But their original venue was impacted by the hurricane.
“We were trying to get it to work, still trying to get it to work last night,” he said.
They had to cancel the rehearsal dinner and even took to social media to find suggestions for a venue. Fair’s sister and brother-in-law were staying at the Crowne Plaza and asked about the possibility of using it for the wedding.
“We were sold out in anticipation of IronMan,” said Jeannine Steinkuhl, director of sales and marketing.
Friday was crazy as phone calls came in one after the other, she said. The hotel was without power. The IronMan was ultimately canceled.
But Steinkuhl said the staff wanted to make the wedding happen for the happy couple. Around 8:30 Saturday morning, power was restored bringing a ray of sunshine early in the day. Everything else fell together.
“Wife Saver agreed to do the catering; we had a DJ agree; we’re just winging everything,” said Fair.
The local Publix couldn’t make the cake so the groom’s 82-year-old aunt brought one from Athens.
“Yesterday was very, very stressful. I’m just thrilled this is happening,” said Fair.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
