But now the tale has ended quietly.
The jittery would-be bride, Jennifer Wilbanks, and the jilted groom, John Mason, have dropped lawsuits they filed last year against each other.
A single-page court filing signed by lawyers for Wilbanks and Mason announced that the couple that once graced the pages of People magazine were finally through with each other.
"The plaintiff and defendants, by and through counsel, hereby dismiss their claims with prejudice, " according to the court document filed last month.
Claude Mason, John Mason's father, said his family is happy the "runaway" story is finally over.
"I'm glad it is finally settled, " Claude Mason said. "Now the terms can't be disclosed. They signed a nondisclosure agreement. But John is happy. And I think both sides are happy."
Wilbanks, known internationally as the Runaway Bride, sued her former fiance in September 2006, claiming he ran off with $500,000 the couple received for selling their story.
Wilbanks got her name after fleeing her lavish Duluth wedding in 2005 and concocting a phony story about being kidnapped and sexually assaulted. The truth was that she got cold feet and fled to New Mexico.
Wilbanks was charged with lying to police and pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge. She was placed on two years' probation and served a community-service stint in Gwinnett. She also said at that time she was admitting herself into an inpatient institution for therapy.
In the suit, filed in Gwinnett County, Wilbanks alleged that while she was hospitalized and under medication after returning to Atlanta, Mason obtained a power of attorney, which allowed him to handle Wilbanks' finances.
She claimed Mason then made a $500,000 deal with ReganMedia in June or July 2005 for the couple to tell their unusual story. Wilbanks said Mason used the money to buy a house on Hamilton Mill Parkway in Dacula.
Wilbanks claimed Mason kicked her out of the Dacula home and didn't give her any of the money.
Mason denied he stole the money and filed a counterclaim saying he should receive money for the emotional distress of being left at the altar.
Attorneys for Wilbanks and Mason did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment. It was unclear whether either Wilbanks or Mason received the money they sought, or what will happen to the book and movie deal they signed.
Claude Mason said he does not think a book or movie will come out anytime soon.
"I don't know if it is even a story anymore, " Claude Mason said. "We are not going to push anything out there. If there is a story to tell, we will tell it."
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