Love is...

Eden and Cory Banks.

I was honored and so very grateful a little while back to be asked to coordinate the first Florida Wish for Wish Upon a Wedding, a nonprofit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness and serious life altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation. The organization was created to celebrate the courage, determination and spirit of these couples by granting their dream wedding Wishes. Their hope is that chosen recipients can inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength.

The Vow Renewal Ceremony took place at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota this past weekend, with the Reception following immediately afterwards at Roy's Restaurant-Sarasota. It was so amazing to see all of the hard work of each and every vendor, who donated all of their time and services, along with the hard work and dedication of Eden's best friend, Raquel, come together so beautifully. I have honestly, in my entire career, never seen a couple more deserving of what they received on Sunday.

I can go on an on about the wedding itself, all of the little details and special touches, but I'm not going to. I am going to talk about what this personally meant to me...

I never cry at weddings. NEVER. We learn to take the emotion out of it, to stay neutral and to keep our opinions (which we do have) to ourselves. This is the first time that I cried. Like a baby. I am 31 years old, as are Eden and Cory. Their situation could easily be our situation. However, what I saw that day is nothing but pure, 100% authentic LOVE. Listening to Eden and Cory speak so eloquently  (yes, you too Cory! :) ) to members of the media about their life, their love, how when Eden can't get out of bed some days, Cory is there to carry her, it makes you realize that THAT is what it should be, a wedding, a marriage, a life together with someone. In that aspect, they are lucky, we should all be so lucky. That is what made me cry. Absolute grace and beauty. I will never forget it. No wedding that I am lucky enough to be a part of in my career will ever mean more than what I was a part of on July 17th, 2011.

I also have to thank our wonderful and amazing team of vendors, without them, it would have been difficult to pull everything together so flawlessly! I love you guys so much and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything!

Reception: Roy's Restaurant-Sarasota
Photography: Errol Colon Photographers
Floral: MMD Events
Make-up: Your Wedding Makeup, Bridal Artistry by Cliff Weir
Cake: Kakes By Karen
Suit for the Groom: Sacino's Formalwear
Music: Bill Creel
Hair and Nails for the Bride: Ritz-Carlton Spa


Also huge thanks to Jeannie Lee with Roy's Restaurants, and our Wish Upon a Wedding Orlando Vice President for all of her hard work along with our Wish Upon a Wedding Orlando President, who was in full force that day, Elisa Delgardio, CSEP, ABC. I also need to say another big, huge thank you to Liz Guthrie and Sasha Souza for everything you both have done in making this all possible and for lots and LOTS of support. :)

Thank you again to Errol and Samantha Colon for the images below.

Love and Rockstars!! :)

 

Until Next Time!