Caryssa Heinz, who got married in May 2025, lost her wedding dress after many of her valuable items were stolen when a tornado damaged her storage unit
Credit: Meredith Mutza Photography LLC.
NEED TO KNOW
- Caryssa Heinz’s wedding dress, veil, and other keepsakes were stolen after a tornado damaged her storage unit
- Heinz chose her dress for its wildflower details, which reminded her of her childhood in Iron River, Michigan
- She hopes to recover the sentimental items, valued at $1,100, and has filed a police report and insurance claim
Caryssa Heinz is hoping someone will be able to help her find her wedding dress after it was stolen out of her storage unit.
The Wisconsin woman, who got married in May 2025 to her husband James, is asking the public for help after a tornado damaged her storage unit during a July 27 storm. She told WBAY that her unit looked to be secure when she checked on it the day after the storm.
However, when her husband his father returned the following Friday, they discovered a broken lock and many items — including Heinz’s wedding dress, her veil, James’ suit and several of their other wedding keepsakes — to be missing.
Credit: Meredith Mutza Photography LLC.
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Heinz explained that she and her husband had been together for nearly 10 years when they were married in a small ceremony. She chose her dress because it featured wildflowers details, which reminded her of her stepfather and mother’s property in Iron River, Michigan.
“That’s the main reason I chose it, because it incorporated some of my childhood,” she told the outlet.
Heinz explained that her dress has straps, a plunging neckline, a fitted waist, a layered flowing skirt and a small train, with decorative buttons on the back. Her veil also featured floral details. She and her husband discovered the dress was gone while taking inventory of their storage unit.
“It’s such a rush of so many emotions of knowing that I have a 16-year-old daughter and I can’t potentially pass that to her,” said Heinz. “10, 15, 20, 25 years, I want to put the dress back on just because I feel like, you know, putting it on for an anniversary. I can’t do that anymore.”
Credit: Meredith Mutza Photography LLC.
Heinz explained that her dress and veil cost a combined $1,100, but that the sentimental value far exceeds the price.
“The dress itself is worth more, way, way more than the value of it,” she said. “It’s very disheartening that somebody else felt the need to do this.”
Heinz has filed a police report and an insurance claim, but has yet to find any of her missing belongings. She hopes that somebody will do that right thing.
“We just want our things back,” she said. “We understand everybody is having a hard time and we understand financially how everybody’s been affected. We’re very understanding people, but there are better ways to go about this.”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever find another dress that will give me the same feeling.”
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