About Wish Upon a Wedding
A Message from Our Founder
Wish Upon a Wedding was founded based on the concept that two people in love should never be denied the chance to marry their soul mate, even if they only have a few years (or months) to live, or if they’ve faced other serious circumstances which have dramatically altered their lives.
The idea came to me when I was producing a large scale wedding giveaway in San Francisco. Over 350 couples entered to win, and I found myself wishing there was an opportunity to donate this to more than just one deserving couple. One couple who entered, in particular, stood out in my mind. Vanessa Muza Teskey was battling Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while her fiance (an officer in the US Air Force) was deployed overseas. This couple ended up winning the Giveaway (through public voting) and their Love Story inspired the creation of Wish Upon a Wedding.
I also was blown away by the willingness of wedding vendors to GIVE GIVE GIVE. Securing over 40 vendors to donate their goods and services to a deserving couple was an easy task. As a child, and throughout my life, I have always believed in giving back. I was raised that the right thing to do is to Pay it Forward whenever possible. As a wedding planner, with a background in nonprofit work, I was looking for a way to combine these elements.
When I decided to start Wish Upon a Wedding, my strong ties to the event planning industry allowed me to tap into an amazing wealth of resources in the San Francisco bay area. I called upon my colleagues and asked them if they would like to join me on this mission, and the overwhelming reply was YES! Wish Upon a Wedding was officially born in January of 2010.
As a pending 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Wish Upon a Wedding’s primary purpose is to serve as a charitable foundation. Dedicated to providing weddings and vow renewal celebrations for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, we grant one of the most profound moments in a couple’s lifetime. What better way to celebrate life than being surrounded by one’s family and loved ones, while creating memories for those family and loved ones that will be cherished for years to come? By bringing these ceremonies to individuals faced with terminal illnesses, we believe that other people facing similar situations will find their own sense of strength and hope.
Thank you for making these Wedding Wishes come true.
Watch the video about the inspiring couple who started it all.
Most donated items are tax-deductible, however we recommend that you speak to an accountant for clarification. Wish Upon a Wedding is treated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and is operating as a nonprofit incorporated in CA. The IRS received our 1023 application in February of 2010, which is currently undergoing the review process. Please visit IRS.GOV (Publication 4220, page 12) to learn the facts about 501 (c) (3) organizations that are currently pending approval.
