A stranger replaced the stolen gown just in time for her “spooky fairytale” ceremony.
SAN ANTONIO — A San Antonio teacher’s Halloween wedding nearly turned into a nightmare after her wedding dress was stolen right off her doorstep.
But after KENS 5 shared her story, a good Samaritan stepped in to help.
Kathleen Sanchez says a stranger reached out and offered to buy her the exact same black gown she’d lost. The replacement arrived just in time for her Halloween ceremony — allowing her to celebrate her big day alongside her fiancé, Andres Martinez, and their soon-to-arrive baby girl, Carmen Rosa.
Sanchez shared photos from the wedding, smiling in her gothic-style gown surrounded by family and friends. She says the kindness of a stranger turned heartbreak into gratitude.
“Honestly, it was such an incredible and emotional experience,” Sanchez said. “I never imagined a complete stranger would go out of their way to help make my dream wedding possible. It reminded me that there’s still so much kindness and goodness in the world.”
The $80 black gown had gone missing earlier in October after being delivered to Sanchez’s Castle Hills-area apartment. She’d been devastated — not just because it was her wedding dress, but because it made her feel beautiful as she prepared to welcome her baby girl.
The original dress had taken about two weeks to arrive — so even if she reordered, she wasn’t sure it would get there in time for the big day.
Somehow, the stranger made it happen.
Sanchez says the woman who replaced the dress personally delivered it to her school, giving her a heartfelt hug and words she’ll never forget.
“She told me, ‘Don’t let anyone, especially the person who took your dress, steal your joy. Enjoy your wedding day,’” Sanchez recalled. “She said my story touched her and she wanted to bless me with this gift.”
What started as a stolen package ended as an unforgettable act of generosity, turning what could have been a Halloween heartbreak into a celebration of community and kindness.
