A quiet Iowa venue meant for joy and union, Gray Narvaez-Dragion and their partner Nyx stood ready to exchange vows surrounded by love, only to face rows of empty chairs and silent tables.
The 19 year old, who uses they/them pronouns and posts on TikTok as @grayanxiety, had meticulously planned every detail for 88 confirmed attendees, crafting personalized magnets, handmade soap gifts, and spell jars poured late into the night to make everyone feel cherished and included.
Gray shared the raw pain in a viral TikTok video that has garnered millions of views, panning across the near deserted reception hall.
They disclosed, '88 people said yes... not even 40 showed up.'
The clip captured the stark reality of vacant seats stretching endlessly.
Gray wrote, 'We cancelled our sparkler send off, private dance, dinner... cut entire reception short. Been in tears for hours over this.'
The couple's anguish deepened in follow up posts showing stacks of RSVPs promising attendance, contrasted with tear stained faces and smeared makeup.
One poignant moment showed Gray and Nyx alone in the ceremony room, holding each other as sobs escaped.
Gray lamented, 'We literally sat in the empty ceremony room together and cried. I spent so much trying to make this enjoyable for everyone. I have magnets and soap gifts made for everyone... and I have so much left.
'Nyx made spell jars and we were up until 2:30 this morning trying to make this enjoyable for everyone. Most of my money was spent on things for the guests... and almost no one showed. Looking at our magnets makes me bawl...
'I can't even use my custom made soap samples because that makes me cry too. Why didn't they show up? I spent so much f*****g time trying to make everyone feel included.'
Gray noted, 'The DJ also 'felt so bad [that] he made us use the photobooth I hadn't touched and took pics together.'
The couple, already reeling after Gray got fired, now grapple with severe hardship.
They said, 'I can't afford our own food after I got fired and not even half attended. I'm devastated.'
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