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Bride-To-Be's Wedding Plans Burn In The High Park Fire

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - One of the many people affected by the High Park Fire is a bride-to-be who had her big day all planned until the cabin she had reserved for the wedding and reception went up in flames.

Such venues are booked months and months in advance, especially for a June wedding. Carrie Hansel has 100-plus guests coming to Fort Collins in 11 days, but right now the guests and the wedding party have nowhere to go.

"I tried to keep up hope. I was really hopeful but it just went right over where the cabin was," Hansel said.

Somewhere in the fire a beautiful cabin that Hansel and her fiance reserved last year for their wedding burned to the ground.

"It was kind of tucked away in the mountains and overlooked the trees," she said. "It's just a beautiful setting. We found out last Thursday it was lost in the fire."

They found their perfect spot for the wedding and reception on the Vacation Rentals by Owner website. One-hundred wedding guests have booked their travel reservations to go there.

"It just makes me sad. I get a little teary over it."

Hansel says finding somewhere else to have her wedding in just 11 days is proving nearly impossible. Still, watching the blaze she says she's keeping her cool realizing that her dream for one day went up in smoke, but for many there, their dreams of a lifetime are gone.

Hansel says her aunt says that a disastrous wedding means a happy marriage. She's hoping that old wives tale proves true.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.

- Read recent Wildfire stories.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (High Park Fire and Fourmile Fire) and largest wildfire (Hayman Fire) in Colorado history.

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