CTVNEWS.com Staff Sunday, September 16, 2001

A couple from Britain headed with family and friends to be married in Las Vegas made the most of being stranded when their plane was diverted. They tied the knot in Nova Scotia, with help from locals whom the couple now call their new 'family' and friends.

Tracy Ellis-Hall never thought she'd be preparing for the biggest day = of her life in the quiet Canadian Maritime province. But after Tuesday's terrorist attack on the United States, Ellis-Hall, her fiancé and their family and friends were diverted on their flight from London, Eng., to Halifax.

Halifax resident Leah Cameron took them in as billets. At first, the couple thought their wedding would be post-poned. But with some help from Cameron, they instead decided to do the deed in Halifax. In just one day, the plans were in place.

"This is better than Vegas," enthused Ellis-Hall as her moment approached.

"We have new family and friends now. It's like being in a film...and a bubble is going to burst."

The groom, Kenny Johnson, was at a loss for words.

"I can't express, um, uh, I'm speechless," he grinned.

It was a picture-perfect wedding on the Atlantic coast. The RCMP even led the entourage, on horseback and in uniform. Fittingly, the ceremony began with a moment of silence to recognize the lives lost in the terror that delayed the couple's plane in the first place. Then, the exchange, followed by a kiss, sealed not only their love, but the coming together of a community that knows no borders for kindness.