Submitted photos Following the May 28 Realty Tower explosion in Youngstown, many plans in the city were changed including for Kelsey Cannell McFall and Michael McFall. They were ready to be married June 2, with the reception downtown. Fortunately, her mother stepped in to make last-minute backup plans that led to the couple’s dream wedding.

YOUNGSTOWN — Planning a wedding for a year can be stressful. Imagine replanning a wedding in less than one week.

That’s what Tracy Cannell of Youngstown recently accomplished, with the help of some local venues.

Her daughter, Kelsey Cannell McFall, originally of Youngstown, was set to marry Lordstown native Michael McFall on Sunday, June 2.

About 120 people planned to come to Youngstown for the wedding, coming in from as far as Alaska, Idaho and the Carolinas.

The venue, DoubleTree by Hilton Youngstown Downtown, was next door to the May 28 Realty Tower explosion.

“She was excited to have people from around the country to come see all the unique things here,” Cannell said.

The McFalls live in Indiana, where they relocated for employment.

Cannell said that the Mahoning Valley is still a part of their lives, so much so that when it came time to plan their June 2 wedding, the couple wanted it in Youngstown.

“I love Youngstown,” Kelsey said.

What came next just days before the wedding was possible, the bride and her mother said, was possible from the support and camaraderie of the Mahoning Valley.

A SERIOUS SITUATION

Everything was set, Cannell said. On May 28, Kelsey and Michael were on a Zoom call with the Mahoning County Courthouse for their marriage license, when Kelsey noticed something going on in the background.

There wasn’t a disruption, but Kelsey said they “heard something” followed by sirens and some employees walking in the background.

Once the couple got squared away on their virtual call, Cannell spoke with her daughter.

Cannell works at the Social Security building a few blocks away from the Realty Tower, so she knew the magnitude of the situation.

That’s when she decided to take matters into her own hands.

While Kelsey was busy with last-minute preparations, Cannell stepped into action.

“I wanted her not to be worried,” Cannell said. Instead, she found last-minute backup options in the event the DoubleTree would have to be closed.

“Here are your choices. It’ll be awesome,” was Cannell’s frame of mind.

GETTING TO IT

With four days until the big day, the first on Cannell’s list: Mill Creek Park.

Specifically Fellows Riverside Gardens for the ceremony.

“It’s where we all go to have our pictures for prom and weddings,” Cannell said.

A park official told Cannell that if she found chairs, she could get her scheduled. The woman shared a chair vendor, who worked with Cannell.

As she was telling each person on her list her story and approach to problem-solving, everyone jumped in to help.

“Everybody was being so understanding,” she said.

Now with the wedding portion taken care of, Cannell needed to find somewhere to have a reception.

She turned to Penguin City.

Teaming up with the bridal party, employees stepped in to help, too.

Cannell was able to secure catering with the help of Jeffrey Christal Catering.

When she called them, they didn’t think twice and asked. “How many people?”

They came up with a menu – full of what the bride and groom wanted.

Throughout her robust few days of planning backups, Cannell kept in touch with DoubleTree, who was still waiting on inspectors.

It was finally two days after the explosion they could confirm they had to cancel upcoming events, including Kelsey and Michael’s wedding.

Cannell said she is grateful for how transparent and understanding DoubleTree was throughout the process.

DREAM WEDDING

Cannell was determined to stick to a Youngstown-based wedding because of how much the area is engrained in the couple’s life.

So many people came from out of town, especially the McFalls’ new friends from Indiana, to experience Youngstown, Cannell said.

As soon as she realized the impact on her daughter’s wedding, she used her customer service skills while asserting her determination.

“I wasn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer,” Cannell said.

Rain was forecast for the day of the wedding, so clear umbrellas were passed out to the bridal party. It made for beautiful pictures, Cannell said.

Still, there was a somber tone, Kelsey said.

“It has really been tearing me apart that someone lost their life due to the explosion and this whole chain of miracles happened for me,” she said, adding that the victim, Akil Drake, was also recently engaged. “I am heartbroken for his family and fiancee.”

Had the wedding been moved to a larger city, there’s no telling how it would have turned out.

“Who’s to say anyone would have helped on such short notice?” Cannell said.

The entire experience has left the Cannells and McFalls in awe and pride.

“She still feels like she had her dream wedding,” Cannell said.

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