Sandra Blanco agreed to marry her boyfriend in November 2017 despite admitting they had a rocky relationship.
"At some point in November 2017, I didn't think my ex was committed and invested in the relationship enough after a year and a half, so I wanted to move back to London and leave him,” says Sandra.
"Soon after this, he proposed and I said yes – I mean, all I wanted was a reciprocated relationship and I wanted to understand that maybe this was the wake-up call he needed.”
The business owner, who had been dating her fiancé for a year and a half prior to the engagement, chose to have a shotgun wedding in Vegas just six weeks later.
Unfortunately for Sandra, her fiancé began to get cold feet and the couple broke up, cancelling their wedding a week before Christmas.
She said: "We decided to elope in Vegas, as I know lots of people in the wedding industry; I planned and booked everything quickly within just six weeks.
"A week before Christmas, he told me he wanted to take a step back, to go back to having a light relationship
“That was not OK with me.”
Sandra, who was living in Valencia as a flight attendant, was not able to get a refund on her flights, venue or photographer and so decided to go to Vegas anyway – and marry herself.
"He said he didn't want to be with me – that was it. Apparently, he had been feeling like this even before he proposed; I was confused, devastated and in shock.
“My 30th birthday was due to take place while we were in Vegas, so it was one more reason to go and celebrate", she said.
Sandra decided to go through with the wedding to show that love should come from within before it can be given or returned.
The bride added: "I searched online stories about being dumped that could help me feel better but everything I found was sad or written out of rage.
"This is when I decided to write a love story about my experience to inspire other people who have been through a similar journey."
She turned the situation around, booked a model for a wedding-themed photoshoot and had the ceremony at The Little Vegas Chapel with an Elvis Presley officiator.
Sandra hired a photographer, Natalie, to do the shoot and they took a road trip from Vegas to the Grand Canyon, forming a close friendship.
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As Sandra has her own business, Sophie and Luna, a flower-crown bridal design business, the pair decided to shoot images for a business campaign while they were away.
"The photographer was there, and I could fill a case full of pretty flower crowns and dresses – that's it. I had something new and exciting to focus on, but no groom,” says Sandra.
"I contacted a recommended male model, Iain Spivey. Thankfully, he loved my crazy idea and he agreed about joining us for the shoot.
"During our trip to Vegas, Iain, Natalie and I all bonded and became good friends; I got a tattoo in Vegas that means 'friendship' in Navajo and three dots to symbolise turning thirty during the trip.”
Sandra used the ceremony as a way to commit to taking care of and accepting herself.
She said: “As I walked down the aisle by myself, the officiator, dressed as Elvis Presley, of course, spoke the kindest of words.
"They were exactly what I needed to hear, right there and then. He said, 'Sandra, today is a special day for you; you've come here to make a promise to yourself.
"Today you planned to come here with your boyfriend, unfortunately it didn't work out and yet you still have the courage to come here now to make a promise to yourself. It is time to fully live your life, your wild and precious life.”
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Sandra, who returned to live in London in 2018, now believes that the breakup was meant to happen.
She added: "For those who have been in a similar situation to me or who still think about that ex – it was meant to be, “ she says.
"Feeling the pain is the only way to let it go. It took me almost two years to get over it because I didn't want to deal with the pain.
"You will learn better and you will choose better; opportunities that will enable you to meet someone else who loves you more than you might ever love yourself. I promise you and you deserve it."
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