KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Knoxville bride-to-be says the recession nearly ripped away her biggest wedding dreams, but East Tennessee's volunteer spirit has ended up giving her and her high school sweet heart the wedding they never expected.

Corrissa Mallahan says she was really pinching pennies, and that was just for a bare-boned, simple, and small courthouse wedding. She tried unsuccessfully to solicit sponsors online.

But thanks to the help of donations across the Knoxville area her dream wedding became a reality in about 30 minutes.

"I never dreamed of having a Cinderella wedding," Mallahan said.

Mallahan only hoped for a simple courthouse wedding. After all, she'd move back with her parents so her and her Karns high school sweetheart could afford that.

"I never thought I could have something big or wonderful," the bride-to-be said.

"Just really wanting them to push it back a little if she wanted a percentage of what she'd always dreamed of every girl's little dream. Financially we had to wait," Mallahan's mom, Christine, said.

Until Thursday, when Mallahan joined the discussion on WNOX newstalk radio. The topic: what are you doing to save money during the recession?

"I walk like planning my wedding and moving in with my parents," Mallahan said.

East Tennessean heard, and then helped. The phone lines lit-up. Callers donated everything from the venue, a dress, even honeymoon spots.

"The list just keeps growing and growing. We even have a Delta pilot giving us two tickets to fly wherever we want. It's just incredible," Mallahan said.

Wedding planner Rebbecca Tunnell offered her services for free.

"I'd like to help her enjoy the wedding planning process. Just to have fun with it. She's got to have fun with the whole wedding process not just the day," Tunnell said.

Now the wedding that started small has grown into the dream this bride never thought possible.

"I'm going to call every single person, even if I don't use them to thank them for their offer. It meas the world to me. I'm so grateful," Mallahan said.

As for a date, nothing is final just yet. Mallahan's thinking early April though. She's also decided to accept Magnolia Manor's offer to get married there. She still needs some help with tuxes, invitations, flowers, a minister and other wedding necessities.

If you'd like to help....send me an email to mike.mccarthy@wvlt-tv.com.