As President of the Orlando Chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding, I am thrilled to share this exciting news!

Six-month old nonprofit organization Wish Upon a Wedding announced on July 22, 2010 that it will broaden its scope of services, in order to assist more couples in need. Although its primary focus continues to provide weddings for terminally ill individuals regardless of sexual orientation, the organization will soon help those faced with other personal burdens, such as serious emotional, physical or other debilitating issues.

Due to a significant number of requests, Wish Upon a Wedding will now provide a limited number of weddings to inspirational couples that have experienced these catastrophic life-altering circumstances.

Additionally, Wish Upon a Wedding was featured in this wonderful Today Show article

Wish Upon a Wedding is now accepting applications from:

* Couples where at least one individual has terminal diagnosis of less than FIVE years to live

* Couples faced with situations that have caused serious emotional, physical or financial stress (approved on case by case basis)

* Married couples seeking vow renewals, who have faced serious life-altering circumstances including but not limited to terminal illness (approved on a case by case basis)

All applicants must be over the age of 18 and legal U.S. Citizens

Mission Statement:
Wish Upon a Wedding is the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization, providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and life altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.

To fill out an application, click this link: Apply for a Wedding Wish

To get involved locally see my post on Upcoming Events! To find the chapter nearest to you, please click here: Chapters

Donations: We are able to take wish granters, airline miles, cash donations, auction donations on our website http://www.wishuponawedding.org – under the tab “how to help” you’ll find listed many ways you can get involved.

Please help us get the news out by forwarding this post via Facebook or Twitter: We are ready to grant wishes today throughout Florida and beyond!

What is it about weddings that keeps you coming back, wedding after wedding?

“It’s truly a combination of things.  A big part of it is that I enjoy the magic of the day: I get to watch families make memories and share joy, and I’m instrumental to creating those experiences.

(c) marc harmon

There is also the creative aspect. Planning and designing weddings is my art form.  The event – while largely a collaborative effort – showcases my talents while reflecting the style and personality of the couple.

It’s exhilarating to create  experiences that can be appreciated and cherished by others – especially when I am so connected to them.   A wedding is a milestone event: it’s exciting, nerve-wracking  and gratifying all at the same time – like watching your child walk for the first time.

I would also have to confess to being an adrenaline junkie. There are unique challenges to this type of work – no two weddings are alike and try as I might, I can’t guarantee that things will go as planned. I never know what situation may arise and yet I know everyone is counting on me to handle it – that makes for some pretty interesting days.”

~ Elisa Delgardio, CSEP PBC | A Flair for Affairs, Orlando FL

In early December I was approached by colleague Debbe King (Project Manager Special Events, LYNX) regarding a very special project: She needed to plan a wedding for a couple who had requested to have their wedding on a LYNX bus. With the date rapidly approaching, I worked quickly and contacted a few other colleagues who graciously offered their services to help make the couple’s wedding wishes come true.

Love Bus

LYNX’ “Love Bus’’ became a wedding chapel for Tonja Willis and Tyrone Smaw, who chose the place they met to be the place they were married.

Love Bus Wedding

Tonja & Tyrone’s Wedding Story…

The ceremony took place on brisk and sunny December afternoon inside the “Love Bus’’ painted for LYNX by local artist Donna Dowless.  Minister Michel Alvin McWhorter performed the wedding with 20 guests seated in the bus parked in front of LYNX Central Station in downtown Orlando.

The interior of the bus was decorated by A Flair for Affairs and Cheryl’s Distinctive Creations to give it that ‘ceremony’ feel. “This was even better than I expected,’’ Willis said, after stepping out of the bus to a round of applause from passengers and wedding vendors at the downtown bus terminal. “I thought it would be a little different to get married in a bus, and it turned out really nice.’’

The couple met while riding LYNX for transportation to work. “I’m usually very shy, but as soon as I saw Tonja, I felt like I had to take a chance on getting to know her,’’ Smaw said. “We ended up talking the whole time ‘til I got off the bus. After I called her, we started using the bus to go on dates because neither one of us had a car, so it’s kind of like it was meant for us to get married here.’’

LYNX has never hosted a wedding on one of its buses. Chief Executive Officer Linda S. Watson agreed to do it on a one-time basis because “it had the right feel for the holiday season.’’ “The timing and situation made it a nice event for us to participate in,’’ she said. “We are happy to help Tyrone and Tonja get their married life started the way they hoped for and wish them great success in the years ahead.’’

Tonja's dress fitting at Modern Bridal

Elisa Delgardio helped the couple by arranging flowers, photography, videography, a wedding cake and even the bride’s wedding gown. ”This wedding would not have been possible without the support an incredible vendor team! Everyone I contacted jumped on board immediately and graciously donated their services. I think I was as overwhelmed and excited as the bride!”

Photo left: “LaVoria slipped Tonja into a white satin gown that was literally a perfect fit – like it was made for her! – and Tonja was overcome with tears of joy… It was really lovely.” -Elisa Delgardio

The wedding cake and custom candles

A Flair for Affairs would like to acknowledge the generosity of the following companies:

Are you feeling stressed and anxious about your wedding?

Are you beginning to reach your boiling point because things are not going as planned?

Has the joy and excitement of wedding planning fizzled out like a glass of luke warm champagne?

Could this woman be you…?

Elisa’s Tips: How Not To Become Bridezilla

If you’re a bride who is struggling to cope with the stress of planning a wedding, I invite you to join me on Tuesday, November 23rd at 8pm for FREE Webinar.   As the featured guest, I’ll be sharing some important ideas and valuable advice about how to plan a wedding with zero stress!  You’ll definitely want to tune in for this one!   Take it from my co-host Michael Stedman:

“Elisa’s qualifications are through the roof and she’s giving away a ton of great tips that will save you time, effort, money, and most of all, frustration on the big day.  Believe me, in 20 years – she’s seen it all!  Even just one of these tips can help make the big day extra special.”

Michael and I encourage you to register now because space is limited.  After you click on the link, enter your email address and Michael will send you the details!

How Not to Become Bridezilla

Bridezilla_by_Xubbles

For assistance with your wedding plans please call 877.55FLAIR or email Elisa: eventstaff {at} aflairforaffairs.com

Media inquiries may be directed to media {at} aflairforaffairs.com

© 2009 E. Delgardio All Rights Reserved

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