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Mike and Nancy Rogers pose for wedding photographer Nicholas Augustus as White Point Beach Resort's main lodge burns in the background on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. (Nicholas Augustus / THE CANADIAN PRESS) A firefighter looks on as White Point Beach Resort's main lodge burns in the background on Saturday Nov. 12, 2011. Nova Scotia couple marries as fire razes resort

Nova Scotia couple marries as fire razes resort

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CTV Atlantic: Fire crew battles blaze at historic lodge
Crews were still snuffing out stubborn hot spots Sunday at a popular resort on Nova Scotia's south coast that was burned to the ground by a massive fire a day earlier. Alyse Hand reports.

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Mike and Nancy Rogers pose for wedding photographer Nicholas Augustus as White Point Beach Resort's main lodge burns in the background on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. (Nicholas Augustus / THE CANADIAN PRESS) A firefighter looks on as White Point Beach Resort's main lodge burns in the background on Saturday Nov. 12, 2011. Nova Scotia couple marries as fire razes resort

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Mike and Nancy Rogers pose for wedding photographer Nicholas Augustus as White Point Beach Resort's main lodge burns in the background on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. (Nicholas Augustus / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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Date: Mon. Nov. 14 2011 8:48 AM ET

They say that if it rains on your wedding day, it's a sign of good luck. So what does it mean when your wedding venue goes up in flames on your big day?

For one Nova Scotia couple, the fire that destroyed the resort where they planned to wed just made the day even more unforgettable.

Nancy Rogers says she was putting on her wedding dress Saturday afternoon in one of the small cabins at the popular White Point resort near Liverpool, N.S., when she learned that a fire was racing through the main building where the reception was to be held.

The 32-year-old and her family were quickly whisked out, while 60 firefighters moved in to try to save the main building, which housed hotel rooms, a restaurant, conference rooms and the swimming pool.

Meanwhile, her fiancé, Michael, was just getting the news.

"One of my aunts came into my parents' cottage to say, ‘Have you heard? The place is on fire'," Michael told CTV Atlantic on Sunday.

The mostly-wooden main building was completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters spent more than six hours fighting the fire, but the 83-year-old structure was completely destroyed.

After realizing that the dream wedding they had been planning for months was not going to happen as planned, Nancy Rogers says she and Michael decided that they wanted to go ahead and tie the knot anyway.

"We still wanted to get married. If we had to get married on the side of the road, we were getting married on the side of the road. We were getting married. That was all there was to it," she says.

Staff at the resort moved the couple and their 45 guests to another building, and the ceremony went ahead.

Afterward, the couple even posed for some wedding pictures with the burning resort in the background.

Nancy says this was the second marriage for both of them and after finding love together, they were very determined to tie the knot.

"We appreciate life. We appreciate the gifts that are given to us," she says.

Even though the fire ruined her fairy-tale day, Nancy wonders whether it might be a sign there is still a happily ever after to come.

"Our last weddings were picture-perfect; nothing went wrong. But the marriages didn't work out," she says. "Rocky wedding, fantastic marriage is the way we see it."

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, but suspect it started in a basement.

The resort opened in 1928 as a private hunting and fishing lodge. There were plans to begin major renovations in January, says general manager Danny Morton.

He notes that with many employees now without work, the whole community around the resort will be affected by this fire. But he is confident the hotel will be able to rebuild.

With a report from CTV Atlantic's Alyse Hand

Comments are now closed for this story

Will Miss The Lodge
said
0 0

I wish all the best to the happy couple, however, the loss of the White Point Beach Lodge is a huge blow to an already waning tourism trade in Nova Scotia. I have so many great memories from the resort as do many others from the East Coast, as do the newly married couple.Hundreds of people have lost jobs and a great piece of local history and it has made sad that this has not made the news. Although it is a shame that CTV did not highlight the importance of the site in this article, I myself will miss the lodge dearly and the many nights playing chess next to the stone fireplace, all that remains of the main lodge!


Rob
said
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I'm surprised that the resort manager would allow a wedding to take place while the frickin place is in a ball of fire...

I know from personal experience that fire spreads very fast, and a change in the wind can cause flames to engulf neighbouring buildings in a matter of minutes...

What about the safety of the guests??

I guess they'll do anything not to have to give a refund.. eh?


Ranger
said
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Their marriage is certainly off to a hot start !!


SF Thomas
said
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Wish them luck on their marriage and hope the flames of their passion for one another continue to burn brightly.


Ty
said
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To whomever dislikes the comments what is wrong with you. People are giving well wishes to the couple and you dislike that? Really?!? You're sad...


Tania
said
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Wow that is sad, we just stayed there for a week....hope none of the bunnies were hurt.


Dixie from Alberta
said
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Great wedding photo. Too many couples put all their efforts into a party for one day and not enough effort in the marriage over the years. The fairytale should not be the wedding but the marriage. This is a story the happy couple will be able to tell over and over and over again.


Frank in NS
said
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Ho Hum. Been married 53 years, didn't need a fire or anypublicity to make our marriage a happy one. Such is news these days.


Jay
said
0 0

No dis-respect to ATV, but why would anyone carry a story like this? I mean seriously, Over 100 people are going to be out of work, plus the Bowater Mill is on the verge of closing, yet some couple is getting married in the middle of the fire? I mean seriously, Whats next, a kids picnic at a funeral? I think the news should of spend more time talking to employees and the community about Queens Countys future. To publish a picture of this wedding couple with White Point Resort burning in the background is an insult to Queens County and the employees / mangers who worked there


Jennifer
said
0 0

Congrats to the happy couple! I love their positive attitude and am sure that will result in a lasting & loving marriage together! <3


norm
said
0 0

Good for them! Wow, that is one striking wedding photo..


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