A woman was offered a free wedding dress after a social media post about her proposal went viral earlier in October. The Instagram post captured the moment a woman demanded the proposal setup be torn down, saying “go back to Mexico” as she walked out of view.
The Oct. 3 post, which has garnered 1.3 million likes, includes a caption that says, “racist lady almost ruins proposal” and includes the location of the proposal — Crescent Bay Point Park in Laguna Beach. The Orange County park sits on a bluff, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.
“The park is for people that live here to enjoy the park and have picnics and they don’t allow events on the grass here for that reason,” a woman walking her dog said in the video.
The video shows musicians standing next to decorations on the grass, and later a couple is seen walking toward them before a man gets down on one knee.
The woman walking her dog said she called the police and that they were coming out to make them tear it down.
The encounter appears to end when what sounds like mariachi music begins. The woman can be heard saying, “This isn’t Mexico, either,” and “Go back to Mexico.”
The USA TODAY Network has reached out to the Instagram user who posted the video. CBS LA reported that the proposal was for Hayley Lugo, and her sister recorded the interaction. CBS LA also reported that Saint Clark Bridal Suite in Monrovia offered Lugo a free wedding dress in response to the viral incident.
Owner Lisa Clark confirmed to the USA TODAY Network that she offered Lugo a dress with no strings attached.
“I just wanted to show her kindness,” Clark said, adding that while the world can be hateful, it doesn’t have to be. “And I’m in a position to turn that around for her.”
The bride-to-be, along with family and her best friend, visited the shop on Oct. 9, according to Clark.
“They had the whole experience of trying on dresses, and she found the one,” Clark said.
Clark, who has owned her Monrovia-based shop for 10 years come November, had another surprise for Lugo, too.
“A year ago, we opened up a mothers’ store — a mother of the bride, mother of the groom — across the street from my bridal shop, and we also offered her dresses for the mothers as well at the other store,” Clark said.
Clark said people from Maine, Texas, and even upcoming visitors to Monrovia have reached out to her, expressing their desire to support her business.
The owner of the Saint Clark Bridal Suite hopes this will inspire others to give to Lugo. Clark said people have reached out to help the bride-to-be further.
“The overwhelming amount of love that we’ve received is on another level, to say it best,” Clark said. “It’s crazy how a community will come together to help make something positive.”
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her atpbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bride gifted wedding dress after proposal disrupted by ‘racist lady’
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