Wish Upon a Wedding

More Than a Wedding Day: Becoming Family Through Wish Upon a Wedding

Some weddings change you.

Not because of the florals, the venue, or the timeline—but because of the people, the purpose, and the love that surrounds every single moment. Becoming a Wish Upon a Wedding grantor and walking hand in hand with Summer and Jordan through their journey is something that will live with me forever.

Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit organization that grants weddings and vow renewals to couples facing serious illness or life-altering circumstances. But what they truly give is far deeper than a wedding day. They give hope. They give dignity. They give couples the space to celebrate their love in the middle of uncertainty. And when I was chosen to be part of that mission, I knew immediately this would be different from anything I had ever done before.

From our very first conversation, Summer and Jordan felt like home.

Before any design ideas, before any vendor outreach, before any planning began—I took the time to truly know them. To understand their story, their challenges, their humor, their quiet strength, and the way they love each other so deeply without needing grand gestures. Their relationship is rooted in patience, resilience, and an unspoken understanding that says, we are in this together, no matter what.

This wedding was never going to be about trends or expectations. It had to reflect them.

So I built it from the ground up.

Every single detail of this wedding was thoughtfully and intentionally planned—beginning with the people who would help bring it to life. Every vendor was hand-chosen, not only for their talent, but for their heart. I reached out to creatives and professionals I trusted completely—people I knew would approach this day with compassion, grace, and genuine care.

And without hesitation, every single vendor said yes.

Yes to giving.

Yes to showing up.

Yes to donating their services fully and freely.

This entire wedding—planning, design, coordination, execution—was gifted in love.

As the planner and grantor, I carried this wedding from vision to reality. I planned every timeline, every logistical detail, every behind-the-scenes moment no one ever sees. But more importantly, I held the emotional responsibility of protecting Summer and Jordan’s peace. Ensuring they felt supported, understood, and surrounded by nothing but love on a day that meant everything.

This required trust on a level that can’t be taught.

I put my full trust in every single vendor involved—and they put their trust in me. There was no ego. No expectation. Just collaboration, respect, and a shared purpose bigger than all of us. Watching an entire community come together, not for recognition but for love, was one of the most humbling experiences of my career.

On the wedding day, something truly special happened.

It wasn’t perfection—it was presence. It was tears exchanged quietly. Hands held a little tighter. Moments that felt sacred because they were real. Summer and Jordan weren’t just celebrating their marriage—they were surrounded by people who believed in them, uplifted them, and chose to stand beside them wholeheartedly.

Somewhere along the way, they stopped feeling like “my couple” and became my family.

There were moments behind the scenes—shared prayers, emotional check-ins, laughter through tears—that I will carry with me forever. These are the moments that don’t make it into highlight reels but are the reason this work feels so deeply personal to me.

Planning this wedding from the ground up, donating my services, and witnessing an entire vendor team do the same reaffirmed everything I believe about love, community, and purpose. This experience reminded me that weddings are not about production—they are about people. About showing up when it matters most. About choosing love even when life is hard.

This wasn’t just a Wish fulfilled.

It was love in action.

It was trust made visible.

It was family formed in the most unexpected and beautiful way.

To Wish Upon a Wedding—thank you for trusting me with something so sacred.

To the vendors who gave without hesitation—thank you for reminding me how powerful community can be.

And to Summer and Jordan—thank you for letting me walk this journey with you. You will forever hold a piece of my heart.

This wedding changed me.

And I will carry it with me always 🤍

XOXO Forever & always

Mar <3 aka your wedding planning bestie!

Vendor team:

WISH organization- https://www.wishuponawedding.org/

Planner: Mariella Falls https://www.marriedbymariella.com/

Venue: https://www.delfaverooasis.com/

DJ: https://graingertainment.com/

Hair & Makeup: @AmairanyArtistry

Wedding Painter: https://www.keepsake-studio.com/

Content Creation and Photo Booth : https://www.felicevents.online/

Favors: https://www.thetreasuredolive.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorgdZ18K6MPFOIzfi7NJdWLxkWMCEkmK3tVea5DjOkIQAORDsL7

Bridal Gown: https://satinandlacebridalboutique.com/

Marquee Letters: https://brightsbyz.com/

Bartending: https://www.tipsyraine.com/

Tattoo Artist: https://booksy.com/en-us/52595_five-star-tattoos_tattoo-shop_15761_tampa#ba_s=seo

Florals: https://www.foreversilkflorals.com/

Nails: https://emmanelson.glossgenius.com/

Spray Tanning: @Tantrumtans_

Photographer: https://gallery.lovelikewild.com/portfolio

Musician: Sam - @Samonsax_

Transportation: https://www.garciaseventsandlimos.com/

Alterations: Ivana McGee – @evasbridalalterations

Desserts: Gourmet Goodies — https://ggcupcake.com/

Officiant: Mariella Falls — @MarriedbyMar

Catering: Pasta Chef - https://www.pastachefcatering.com/

Videography: https://www.yourweddingdayfilm.com/

Signage: @Craftedcouture.design

Chairs: https://southernchairs.com/

Cut/Color: https://www.goldbirdhairco.com/

Ice Cream Cart- https://norabsicecream.com/

Bridal Flowers - walflowerevents.co

Dance Floor - https://celebrations24.com/

Tux: https://generationtux.com/