Monday, October 25, 2010

WUW's Blissful Wishes Ball/Auctions




Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first nonprofit wish granting organization that provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. Less than one year old, the organization has 16 active chapters, and
will have granted 12 wishes by the end of 2010. 
During the month of November, they are hosting several fund raising galasand auctions throughout the country, and would like to invite you to participate.

Whether you are a bride or groom to be, a wedding industry professional, or you simply love the concept behind their mission... YOU can help make Wedding Wishescome true, while raising crucial funding needed to sustain this wonderful, new nonprofit organization.


Here's How:

 A Gala Celebration to Benefit Wish Upon a Wedding




The Blissful Wishes Ball is a festive way to support Wish Upon a Wedding.  Enjoy a nice night out on the town with an elegant dinner, entertainment, music, dancing, and incredible auction items.

 



For the first time in history, couples getting married can plan their entire wedding from virtually any city in the United States, knowing that every penny they spend will go
directly towards helping a couple in need.  It's so EASY to bid.  Find everything from
invitations to flowers, catering to DJs, photography to wedding planners, honeymoons and more.

Simply visit their online auction site here to choose from hundreds of items from the industry's best vendors.

Even if you are not getting married, check it out for other exciting items, such as dinners in top-rated restaurants, entertainment, sporting events and popular autographed memorabilia. Every cent earned goes towards Wish Upon a Wedding and their mission to provide these heartfelt Wedding Wishes.

About Wish Upon a Wedding

Founded in January of 2010 by CA wedding planner, Liz Guthrie of San Jose Wedding Consultants, Wish Upon a Wedding was created to help couples who did not have the time, money, resources or strength to plan a wedding on their own, because of terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. The organization now celebrates the courage, determination and spirit of these couples by granting their dream wedding wishes. It is their goal that chosen recipients can inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength, while raising awareness for terminal illness.


 


Growing up with a sister who was deaf since birth, and raised by parents who ran a board and care home for people facing numerous disabilities and life hardships, Liz learned early on to value the many blessings in life, and the importance of helping others. Volunteering throughout her life for a variety of nonprofit organizations, Liz was looking for a way to combine weddings and community service. 

After producing the San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway in 2009, a contest in which onlyone couple would be granted a dream wedding, Liz came up with a way to merge her two passions. While going through the process of giving the wedding "prize" to a woman suffering from stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Liz  created Wish Upon a Wedding. Overnight, Liz decided to change wedding history, and the way we give, by launching a nonprofit organization that was totally unique and had never existed before.

 

Supported by industry leaders such as Sasha Souza, David Beahm, Stella Inserra, Jenny Orsini, Kevin Covey, Stacie Francombe, SylviaWeinstock, Steve Kemble, Mindy Weiss, Mary Dann, and Ivy Robinson (to name just a few), the organization has experienced rapid growth and seen voracious acceptance throughout the country.
To date, eight couples have benefited from the generous work of Wish Upon a Wedding. Over 4,000 volunteers have signed up to become Wish Granters. Their facebook page has attracted over 10,000 fans. None of this would be possible without public support.  

In Loving Memory of Wish Recipients who have Passed On


Dani and Tony married in St Louis on September 1. She passed away September 30th. Dani had suffered from Cystic Fibrosis since age 3, and had recently received a double lung transplant.

 

Florence and Micheal married near Sacramento on March 13. She passed away on September 28. Florence battled stage IV breast cancer, andwas diagnosed with six months to live at the time of her wedding.

 

Shelly and Jay married in Seattle on May 2.  Shelly passed away three weeks later. She had been battling a rare type of cancerous lymphoma, and Jay suffered from Multiple Sclerosis.

 
Please help Wish Upon a Wedding continue to do great things.


Attend a Gala.
Donate to or bid in the auctions.

And help them spread the word, by sharing this article with your friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances.

 You CAN make a difference in someone's life today!




 


Wednesday, October 20, 2010

A Fairy Tale Come True


When a bride-to-be is asked how she would like to look on her wedding day, the most common response is "I want to look like a princess"!  With the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings by Alfred Angelo collection, brides can do just that! The collection consists of 7 stylish gowns inspired by the Disney princesses (Jasmine, Ariel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Tiana, Belle, and Cinderella) most of us grew up watching.

Take a look at this video to get a sneak peek inside the collection and see how the Disney princess' unique styles were incorporated into each dress.



The collection will hit stores early 2011 and will range in price from $599-$1199.  Now that's a fairy tale come true!

Nikola
"The Platinum Planner"

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Wish Upon a Wedding


Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first non-profit wedding wish granting organization for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances.  The organization's focus is to bring joy to these couples by giving them the wedding of their dreams without thought to the challenges they are facing in life.

In it's first year, Wish Upon a Wedding (WUW) has managed to open more than a dozen chapters to serve Wish applicants.  Wedding vendors across the US have generously sponsored products and services to the organization to help support this wonderful cause.

Yesterday, the organization posted a sad announcement on their national Facebook page: their first-ever wish recipient had succumbed to cancer.  They also posted a link to the story of the couple's wedding.  After reading the story, I was overcome with emotion.  It was at that moment I realized the impact that this organization has made, and will continue to make, on many lives.  It was also at that moment that I decided that I wanted to be a part of this amazing movement that is helping to celebrate more than just the union of two people, but is helping to celebrate LIFE.

As a wedding planner, I am fortunate to be a part of one of the most special days of a person's life: their wedding day.   I can only imagine how much more special it is to a couple that has been burdened with terminal illness of a loved one.  So, in saying all this, I have decide to apply to become a wish granter for Wish Upon a Wedding.  It would be my pleasure to assist in any way possible to such a wonderful cause.

If you, or anyone you know, could benefit from the services of Wish Upon a Wedding, visit their website or call (877) 305-WISH to find out how you can submit a wish application.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

What's Happening - October 2010



It's that time again: another round up fabulous wedding events happening in SoCal.  We've created the list to keep you informed, prepared, and inspired when it comes to planning your BIG day.  So without further ado, here are just a few of the bridal events taking place this month:

Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010
BrideWorld Expo
 Pasadena Convention Center
300 E. Green St.
Pasadena, CA 91101
10am-4pm 

$10/$8 pre-registered
 Pasadena's largest wedding expo, featuring over 150 local wedding professionals, products, and services.  There will be fashion shows between 12p-2p, and a planning seminar at 1p.  Free magazines and workbooks when you register in advance.


Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010

The Wedding Party
Crate & Barrel
South Bay, Del Amo Fashion Center
21710 Hawthorn Blvd.,
Torrance, CA 90503
This is a free event.  Plan your new home together, get advice from design and registry experts, and enjoy food, drinks, and fun.  RSVP here.


Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010
WSEA Bridal Faire
Port's of Call Restaurant
LA Harbor Berth 76
San Pedro, CA 90731
$5 in advance
Door prizes, complimentary cake and food tastings, along with a bridal couture fashion show displaying the season's hottest styles and trends.  For more info, visit the WSEA website.


Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010
Expo Bridal 3rd Annual Fall Bridal Show
Universal City Hilton
555 Universal Hollywood Dr.
Universal City, CA 91608
$7 with online registration plus one free guest
Here, you'll find all the services you'll need for your wedding plus, you can enjoy the live gown fashion show, cake samples, free massages and free vendor giveaways.  For more information, call 213-272-0748.


Happy Planning!!!