Meet the courageous couple that inspired the creation of Wish Upon a Wedding.
Once Upon a Time, there was a woman from Wisconsin named Vanessa. She met a man named Mike. Vanessa and Mike became friends through the Air Force. He was an Officer, she was an Air Force academy graduate working a civilian job.
They began dating and found they had a mutual love of many things: Baseball, Dogs, and above all… God. Vanessa soon became ill, and after many tests was informed that she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The day she received this news, was the same day Mike had to deploy overseas to fight in the war.
Vanessa spent the next six months apart from her love, going through chemotherapy and other difficult treatments, in and out of the hospital several times a week. Her cancer progressed, but she kept fighting. She lost her hair, but not her infectious laugh and sense of humor that she is known for.
While Mike was away, Vanessa’s nurses encouraged her to enter the San Francisco Wedding Giveaway, an online contest designed to give one deserving couple the wedding of their dreams. Of the 350 couples that entered, Vanessa and Mike’s story touched thousands of voters from across the nation, who decided the fate of the winning couple.
This was the true beginning of Wish Upon a Wedding. Liz Guthrie (the Wedding Planner who produced that contest) decided it was a shame to help just ONE couple. She realized there were possibly hundreds of other couples like Vanessa and Mike out there. Couples who were madly in love, but spent their time battling illnesses that are incomprehensible to most people. Couples who could not possibly plan a wedding during such trying times.
Married on a rooftop overlooking the Port of San Francisco in May of last year, Vanessa and Mike created so much more than their titles of Mr. and Mrs. That day, Vanessa and Mike created the future of Wish Upon a Wedding… and will forever be remembered as the couple who started it all. Without any hint of illness apart from her gorgeous wig and a band-aid from where her intravenous tubes had been only days before, Vanessa said “I Do” and unknowingly changed the future of many couples who would soon follow in her footsteps.
We thank this wonderful couple for allowing us to be a part of your special day. We’d also like to pay tribute to the “original” Wish Granters, also known as the “Dream Team”. Because of them, thousands of other wedding professionals from around the world have been inspired to donate their services to couples like Vanessa and Mike . These San Francisco based companies gave birth to an idea that has lead to the fulfillment of 17 other similar weddings, and most certainly hundreds more.
And a note of thanks from Vanessa, “I’m doing okay- Still in the fight but hopeful. I just wanted to say thank you again for everything, we truly cannot get over what an incredible experience we had! We loved every second. It was all thanks to you, and the hard work of the geniuses you assembled!”
Check out these fantastic images from Lilia Photography, and fall in love with Vanessa and Mike!
The Original DREAM TEAM included:
…And Something Blue (bridesmaid’s dresses)
1 Fort Mason (rehearsal dinner venue)
Beau-Coup (favors)
Bella Mia Bride (Mom’s/flower girl dresses)
Branch Out Flowers(ceremony flowers/bouquets/bouts)
Cake Coquette (wedding cake)
Champagne Promises (now Astrid Mueller Exclusive) Logo, branding, and custom wedding invitations & stationery
Dilek Sezen (wedding bands)
Dream a Little Dream Events (reception decor)
Elle Music & Events (reception band)
Freedom Bakery & Confections (Rehearsal dinner custom cookie favors)
Get Your DO up! (Bridal party hair)
Hello Lucky (rehearsal dinner invitations)
Hotel Vitale (ceremony and reception venue)
Ken Constable (classical guitarist- ceremony)
Lilia Photography (all photography)
Lone Star Limousine (transportation)
Magnolia Jazz Band (cocktail hour music)
Milliken Creek Inn (honeymoon accommodations)
Misa Malone Project (reception entertainment)
MonkeyChicken Design (marketing collateral)
Nancy Liu Chin Designs (ceremony florals)
Napa Valley Wine Train (honeymoon dinner)
Natural Images (bridal party makeup)
North American Theater Technology (lighting/drapery)
One World Designs (bridal jewelry)
Precious and Blooming (rehearsal dinner florals)
Reverend Joyceann Pierce (officiant)
Robert Mondavi Winery( wine)
San Francisco Massgage Supply (in-room massage treatments)
San Jose Wedding Consultants (producer)
Spintronix Entertainment (DJ/emcee)
Studio MSV (film maker)
The Flirty Bride (custom cake topper)
The Laugh Box (photo booth)
The Unique Bride (wedding gown)
Tip Toes Nail Salon (bridal party mani/pedis)
Twitterpated Weddings (overal consultation)
Urban Darling (wardrobe stylist)
Well Rehearsed (Rehearsal dinner coordination)
Wildflower Linen (specialty linens)
Williams Party Rentals (all rental supplies)
Watch the video about their story.
A special Thank You to our East Coast “Dream Team”
My Simple Details, Vicki Grafton
Thank you! Wonderful story. I’m SO proud we joined this great team and helped create such a fabulous celebration. Amazing to realize this was just the first of MANY.
Love, love, love this story! Good for you Lilia, for being a part of this amazing gift!
It was wonderful to be a part of the Dream Wedding team!
I was completely touched with their story and with the noble deed that you have done to them. This is a one of kind story that is worth to be disseminated to others.
love this, hoping you are expanding into the new york city area. what a great gift to give.. if i can help in anyway please dont hesitate to call . i work with james trimondo the wedding planner ,he told me about the site.. just love it..god bless all of you for doing this..and he will.. regards, reverend francine