I am excited and proud to be a part of the new wedding nonprofit Wish Upon A Wedding.  Below is the official press release.  The launch party is January 28, 2010 at Villa Montalvo from 6:30pm -9:30pm.

Official Press Release
Wish Upon A Wedding is a brand new nonprofit organization, dedicated to granting weddings and civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States to Couples facing life-threatening illnesses.  The organization will begin accepting applications for Wedding Wishes in mid January 2010.

Founded by wedding planner, Liz Guthrie of San Jose Wedding Consultants, with the hope that no couple should ever be denied the chance to marry the one they love, Wish Upon a Wedding is the only organization of its kind in existence today.

By calling on a regional database of wedding vendors known as “Wish Granters”, the organization will be able to grant five types of weddings (from simple to more elaborate), some in as quickly as 48 hours.  How quickly the services are granted, and how detailed the weddings are, depends upon the Wish Recipient’s health condition.

“Many couples cannot afford to get married, due to overwhelming medical bills, particularly those who have been battling life threatening conditions, sometimes for many years, ” says Guthrie. “Often a person is too sick to even leave their hospital bed, or they may be in hospice care,” explains Guthrie, “If their last wishes include marrying their partner who stood by them through their most difficult times, we want to help make that dream come true. What better way to celebrate love than with their closest friends and family, in one of life’s most significant ceremonies?”

Four chapters will be ready to grant wishes in early 2010, in the following locations: San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Orlando.

Industry leaders who have joined the cause so far, by leading chapters across the country, include renowned wedding planners Sasha Souza (Founding President), Samantha Goldberg, Elisa Delgardio, and Kevin Covey, and author Sharon Naylor.

Official website launches January 15, 2010. For more information visit the Fan Page or follow Wish Upon a Wedding on Twitter.

For questions email info@wishuponawedding.org.

Founding Board of Directors
Liz Guthrie, Founder & Chief Wedding Officer. Owner, San Jose Weddings Producer, SF Wedding Giveaway

Sasha Souza, President.  Owner, Sasha Souza Events.  Events Chair SEARCH Foundation

Corinne Phipps, Vice President.  Owner, Urban Darling

Richard Markel, Marketing Chair.  Founder/President AFWPI

Chrystal Bougon, Medical Outreach Chair, Owner, Bliss Connection, Mentor Hatch Network

Ashley Porta Dicksa, Events Chair.  Owner, Creative Events by Ashley, Bay Area Co-director Association of Bridal Consultants

Amy Frugoli, Co-Volunteer Coordinator.  Owner Twitterpated Weddings. Board member ACPWC

Amy Mendenhall, Treasurer.   Senior Customer Support Scientist at Ingenuity Systems in Redwood City, CA. PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan.

Rhonda Michelle Steward, Secretary.  Owner Cedar and Rose

Michelle Barrionuevo-Mazzini, Fundraising Chair, Owner MB Wedding Design and Events

I was honored when my brother-in-law and sister-in-law got engaged asked me to help them plan their wedding down in Southern California. Brett and Jessica choose an amazing venue to get married (Pine Rose Cabins). It was picturesque and breathtaking! Every detail of their wedding was thoroughly thought out down to where we placed each and every crystal throughout the ceremony and reception areas.

There were so many things that I enjoyed about this wedding, not just because it was my brother-in-laws wedding, but because of all the personal touches. The butterfly was a theme that was seen throughout their wedding. The save the dates, wedding invitations and wedding stationary all incorporated butterflies. We decided to place crystal butterflies in strategic places throughout the venue so Jessica could see them wherever she was she, but they were not so obvious that they were overdone.

Brett and Jessica’s wedding was beautiful and done on a tight budget. This is a great example of using your resources wisely and going above and beyond set expectations. I hope you enjoy the pictures.