Imagine meeting a couple who has an amazing love story, a great bond and a hope to get married in the next few weeks. This was the situation Nicole herself was faced with just a few weeks ago. Stress was not the first thing in mind, it was optimism and joy that filled her spirit because she was given the opportunity to grant a wish for a deserving couple.
Wish Upon a Wedding is a non-profit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals for couples who have faced terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. It was started in 2009 and officially launched in 2010 after an inspirational wedding giveaway contest in San Francisco. Nicole has been signed up to be a wish granter for some time but has not had the opportunity until now to donate her time and expertise to a deserving couple.
After first hearing that she will be the wish granter Nicole was ecstatic and immediately contacted the couple for the initial consultation along with overlooking the background and information provided. They immediately hit it off, Jackie Pugh and Rochon Mungo were amazing and a great joy to work with. Jackie has been working for the American Cancer Society for 19 years and that is where she met Rochon who was the UPS delivery man who delivered packages every day to her office. They were immediately attracted to one another but it took some time to work up the courage to finally go on a date. After Rochon worked up the courage to ask Jackie to go out for lunch they went on a few dates. Then Valentines Day quickly approached and they opened up their feelings for one another and have been inseparable ever since. Unfortunately, after a short amount of time Rochon started to feel sick. After months of going back and forth to the doctor they diagnosed him with a tumor on a nerve on his neck, possibly related to Esophogeal cancer he was diagnosed with only 5 years ago.
The original plans were to get married in September but to ensure Rochon's health and spirit would be at the top of his game they decided to push the wedding a few months forward to May 11, 2011. It was held at Stone Tree Golf Club in Novato, California and was as beautiful as we all imagined it. Every part of the wedding was donated and we would like to personally thank all of the vendors who helped. The location was provided by Elizabeth Bugg at Stone Tree Golf Club http://www.stonetreegolf.com/, Hard rentals provided by Classic Napa Sonoma http://napasonoma.classicpartyrentals.com/, Linens, chair cushions, and aisle runner provided by www.latavolalinen.com/, Hair & Make-up provided by Monina Wright of Moderne Beauty http://www.modernebeauty.com/, photography done by Gustavo Fernandez gustavofernandez.com/, videography done by Andrew Hsu of Studio MSV www.studiomsv.com/, florals provided by Anthony and Julie of Julie Stevens Design www.juliestevensdesign.com/, DJ and Photo Booth was provided by Joe Kalamaras of SJ's Disc Jockey http://www.sjsdiscjockey.com/, Bishop Garison, their pastor, was the officiant for the ceremony http://www.judahgathering.org/, Jaime of Fleur de Lisa was the bakery of choice www.fleurdelisacakes.com/, lighting done by Natti Pierce Thomson of North American Theatre Technology Inc. http://www.itsabouttheart.com/, Bonnie Harper of One World Designs provided the veil and jewelery for Jackie http://www.one-world-designs.com/. Special thanks to our helpers Kate Miller and Kristine Jones of KateMillerEvents.com, and Mellysa B Levy of Sashasouzaevents.com.Thank you again, it was so fun to work with all of you for such a great cause!
Becoming a wish granter is one of Nicole's favorite accomplishments to date and was truly enriching. We suggest that every vendor and consultant looks into this organization and registers to become a Wish Granter. It is a great way to give back and help others! Go to http://wishuponawedding.org/ for more information and to sign up to become a wish granter!
Until Next Time,
Stephanie Mattern
Intern at Nicole Lisanne Weddings & Events by Design
