Couple celebrates wedding despite loss from Sandy

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (CNN) -- A wedding amid the devastation on New York's Staten Island is also a symbol of strength and resilience.

Matt Bobe and Christine Hassett’s wedding day was Saturday, and amidst the wreckage left by Superstorm Sandy, there was something unexpected.

A hotel in Staten Island is full of Sandy refugees and while the coast guard and Red Cross were going to sleep in cots on this side of the wall, on the other, a wedding for 316 people was being setup.

The bride’s parents lost their home this week in Breezy Point Queens. The church was destroyed too.

Bobe, a firefighter was an early responder in the storm.

"I went in the morning after and it was just a recovery effort. Everybody lending a helping hand,” said Bobe.

Every guest lost something. The groom's parents said they had friends who couldn't come because they had no gas.

Tim Cochrane, the groom's uncle and Roberta Ludovico, a close family friend both lost their homes, but not their spirit.

"Everyone’s been so wonderful, so wonderful. I can’t get over it,” said Ludovico.

"That’s the thing about New York. You saw it Sept. 11 and you see it again,” said Cochrane.

That sentiment isn't lost on anyone here.

"A very hard week, a very very hard week, but you get through it. But everybody worked together. People are just amazing,” said Eileen Bobe, the groom’s mother.

Christine and her mom planned the wedding for a year and a half.

"We need this happiness, we really need this happiness. Tomorrow we'll go back and deal with what we have to deal with but today is my daughter's day and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it,” said Patricia Hassett, the bride’s mother.

And, it was. A moment of joy, made the horrific loss, for a moment, seem small.

"It’s nice to have a reason to put this stuff behind us for a day, I can't wait to see my wife open the door and hopefully we can have a good day in the midst of all this,” said Bobe.

"I’m happy, very happy, said the bride.

A Facebook page has been set up to help couples affected by Sandy to get in touch with vendors so they can still enjoy their wedding day.