Hurricane Dorian forces Raleigh couple to move wedding Saturday in Beaufort

By Emmy Victor, WRAL reporter

When it comes to a wedding, there’s always an unexpected snag or two a couple has to deal with.

Martha Williams and Lee Gay had a hurricane alter their plans. The Raleigh couple was scheduled to marry in Beaufort, in Carteret County, on Saturday. However, Hurricane Dorian changed those plans of a coastal wedding.

Zipping around right before for your wedding is predictable, making sure everything is place for the big day.

I knew I wanted something simple,” Williams said. “Mostly because we were going to be down by the coast originally.”

What wasn’t predictable … a hurricane.

We knew there was a risk but we crossed our fingers,” Lee said.

Williams and Gray dreamed of getting married at a family home in Beaufort. Dorian had other ideas.

“We really loved the place,” Lee said. “It was hard to let it go.”

The couple was forced to find a new place to get married. They brought their wedding outfits back to Raleigh and started making phone calls.

“It ws very hectic on that first day but we had the support of our family, our friends and our planner,” Williams said.

To their luck, another couple canceled their Saturday wedding at the Angus Barn. Just like that, the two are set again to walk down the aisle.

“I can’t wait, I can’t wait to see her walk down the aisle,” Lee said.

While moving a wedding hundreds of miles away in three days wasn’t ideal, the couple are looking at the bigger picture.

“The most important part is that we are getting married, regardless of where that is or what the venue is,” Williams said.

“We took a situation and made the most of it,” Lee said. “Things are working out great.”

The future Mr. and Mrs. Gay are ready to conquer life together. It’ll all begin with a honeymoon to Fiji.