What happened to leaving the groom at the altar like an adult? Bride-to-be accused of setting fire to church

The erosion of societal standards can be found just about anywhere you look these days. That includes backing out of a trip down the aisle you're not looking forward to taking.

There used to be a time when an honest conversation could be had. An engagement could be called off well before the wheels are set in motion on putting together a wedding.

Even if you got caught up in the excitement of being engaged, realized you weren't with the one you wanted to marry, but, for whatever reason, never got around to calling it off, there was a solid backup plan.

A woman was arrested for allegedly setting a church on fire the day before her own wedding. (Getty Images)

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You could always not show up to your own wedding. Leaving someone at the altar isn't ideal by any means, but it's far less destructive than, let's say, attempting to burn down the church the day before the wedding.

It's far less criminal of an option. In fact, there are a lot of pros to leaving the groom at the altar like an adult.

A 25-year-old bride-to-be in Utah is now facing arson charges after being accused of starting a fire in the church she was scheduled to get married in the next day.

Lenita "Tessa" Joy Moreno was arrested on Monday. Court documents state that she, the groom-to-be, and family members were setting the church up on July 10 for their wedding when the fire alarm went off.

A bride-to-be was arrested and charged with arson after a fire was set the day before her wedding. (Getty Images)

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Water from wedding decorations and a fire extinguisher were used to put the fire out. Investigators determined that the fire appeared to have been started under a chair with the help of a tampon.

Prior to the fire, the couple had gone to the Relief Society room, where the fire started. They were allegedly securing the building.

"It is believed that Lenita (Tessa) started a fire within a church building while 5 others were still inside," according to the probable cause affidavit, reports KUTV.

"Lenita did not obtain a marriage license for her own wedding that was to occur the following day after the fire but had lied stating she had."

During the investigation, the groom mentioned that they had gone to a hardware store earlier that day. When they reviewed security footage at the hardware store, investigators said Moreno stole two or three lighters.

Two Santaquin police officers confer in front of a fire truck and ambulance on a residential street in Santaquin, Utah, following a fall-related emergency on Sept. 1, 2025. (Getty Images)

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The groom was reportedly not near her during her alleged theft. She also allegedly admitted during an interview to stealing from the store, but refused to say what she stole.

Moreno is reportedly facing multiple charges, including first-degree aggravated arson, misdemeanor retail theft and providing false information to a peace officer.

The fire caused more than $108,000 in damage to the church building. How good does leaving someone at the altar look right about now?