One thing we’ve appreciated while reading through our #HOPE Campaign submissions has been the incredible creativity of our applicants. Of course, given the nature of the wedding industry, this makes perfect sense! Wedding professionals are born with the innate skill of making lemonade out of lemons. They work well under pressure and often asked to pivot on a dime.

Here’s a look at a few award winners who are thinking outside the box and truly making a difference:

Maria and Jason first met through a friend in 2004. They hit it off instantly and began seriously dating. Maria is Columbian and her visa unfortunately expired just three months into the couple’s relationship, forcing her to return to Columbia. The couple embarked on a long-distance relationship that lasted more than two years. Finally, Maria was granted a visa and moved back stateside to be near Jason. The two were married and began a life and a family together. 

In the beginning of 2015, Maria went in for her first mammogram. She had noticed a change in one of her breasts and was anxious to have it checked out. The scan revealed a mass and a biopsy confirmed the news that she had been dreading. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy in March of 2015, followed by chemotherapy and radiation.  The past spring, the cancer sadly metastasized to her lungs and liver. We’ve loved getting to know Maria and Jason and were thrilled to grant their wish for a vow renewal. 

Maria and Jason first met through a friend in 2004. They hit it off instantly and began seriously dating. Maria is Columbian and her visa unfortunately expired just three months into the couple’s relationship, forcing her to return to Columbia. The couple embarked on a long-distance relationship that lasted more than two years. Finally, Maria was granted a visa and moved back stateside to be near Jason. The two were married and began a life and a family together.

In the beginning of 2015, Maria went in for her first mammogram. She had noticed a change in one of her breasts and was anxious to have it checked out. The scan revealed a mass and a biopsy confirmed the news that she had been dreading. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy in March of 2015, followed by chemotherapy and radiation.  The past spring, the cancer sadly metastasized to her lungs and liver. We’ve loved getting to know Maria and Jason and cannot wait to grant their wish for a vow renewal.