Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. Founded last year, the majority of WUW wishes have been granted to couples where one has been terminal. Most couples neither have the financial resources or time and energy to plan a wedding. So WUW finds vendors who will help them have their magical day. Towards the end of the year WUW started considering military weddings.
The newly formed WUW DC chapter granted a wish around Thanksgiving to Meredith and Jake. They were hoping to be married in January shortly before Jake’s first deployment to Afghanistan. Jake is a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps. Since I have a son who is also a Marine and has been deployed twice, the Military holds a very special place in my heart. When I saw the posting from Wish Upon a Wedding about Meredith and Jake, I did not hesitate to respond to their planner request.
Meredith had also been in the Marine Corps as a Naval Academy graduate. Being an Alumni, Meredith really hoped to be married at the USNA Chapel in Annapolis. Luckily they had an opening in January. Likewise, a Pastor from the church where Meredith and Jake met was able to officiate their ceremony.
A team from WUW was in search “granters” who would donate their services. Historic Inns of Maryland was very gracious in offering the use of their Duke of Gloucester room and provide the food and beverage. This was a perfect venue for Meredith and Jake. LilyPad Weddings graphic design studio donated their services to create their beautiful wedding stationary with a snowflake motif.
Next up was MyDeejay who provided music for the reception. Danielle Cover of Danielle Cover Photography photographed the wedding. Dave Williams of Dave’s Videography volunteered to record it and Nate from Selmat Design offered to donate the florals. Wish Granters were coming together.
Things had to move quickly because the Holiday’s were coming up and Jake would be arriving in Virginia for Christmas. Additionally during this time, both Meredith and Jake were scheduled to attend a Prayer conference in Kansas.
I contacted Debi from Debi’s Cake Studio to see if she would be a wish granter. She agreed and created a beautiful wedding cake. WUW was contacted by Tara of Your Elegant Portrait who volunteered to do a pastel drawing of Meredith and Jake. And Julianne Smith “The Garter Girl” donated a garter of Meredith’s choice.
A few days before Christmas Kim Giammaria of Beauty Mark said she would love to do Meredith’s make-up. Now the only things we were missing were a hair stylist, wedding ring for Jake and ceremony music.
Shortly after Christmas we met with Michelle of Historic Inns to plan the reception logistics. We also reviewed the custom menu created by their Chef. Returning to the office, there was a confirmation from Silver Immersions of Catonsville that one of their stylists would help Meredith look beautiful.
Ray Bialek of Bialek’s Music said he would provide a guitarist to play the Prelude music for the ceremony. And a few days later, Nelson Coleman Jewelers contacted WUW with a wedding ring donation for Jake.
Now we were ready for a wedding! So on Friday afternoon, Meredith and Jake along with their families and bridal party gathered for their rehearsal at the USNA Chapel in Annapolis. And the next day at noon, they all came together again to witness the exchange of marriage vows.
Jake is now back at Twenty-Nine Palms training for his upcoming deployment. We wish him well and hope he safely returns home to Meredith.
|
