Looking back on the whole experience of wedding planning, I would not have wanted it any other way! Jamie from “Jamies Dream Team” truly deserves all of the credit in the world for making my dream a reality! She has this incredible team of vendors and through her Facebook site was able to reach out to other amazing talented people in the area willing to donate their skill, talent and time and ultimately make all my dreams a reality!
The first vendor I got to meet with was my new, phenomenal, magical photographer Sasha Danielle. My sisters and I set up a time after my tests at the hospital to go over the details and a plan for how we would pull this off. We parked the car, crossed the street and as were scanning the street for the studio, a bright smiling girl with glowing ombre gray hair was greeting me with open arms. Her assistant the stunning dark haired Rachel was also by her side and they were more welcoming. As we were escorted up the elevator and down a hallway, her gorgeous rustic studio with exposed brick surrounded us! At that moment I knew that Sasha was brought into my life for a reason.
My sisters and I sat down on the couch as she began asking my vision for the wedding as well as my story. She was so intrigued to hear about John and I and our love for each other which was so special to me. We came up with a plan, then Sasha went over all the amazing things she so graciously wanted to offer to me. It brought tears to my eyes that this girl with striking beauty and such a eye for creativity would ever be so outstandingly willing to make my dreams come true! I instantly began to cry with her generosity and will to help!
The next vendor I had the privilege to meet was the most amazing man I have ever been introduced! I once again was in Sasha’s studio as one of her mentors, a local videographer Paul from ShoFilms entered following my boudoir shoot and just in time for some wedding dress glamour! He shook my hand and instantly pulled out the camera as the gorgeous shoot unveiled. A few hours later, I was off to an appointment to meet my DJ the re-meet with Paul later on the top of West End Overlook to do some interviews with John.
My DJ: Tyler with Modern Era Weddings was our next stop. I was so mad at John because he got stuck in traffic but all was well as we entered the office as a little hyper puppy greeted me at the door. We sat down with Tyler, explained our vision and he took very specific notes regarding the DO NOT PLAY list including the chicken dance and YMCA :)! After meeting Tyler, all my anxiety was at ease because I had full confidence in his creativity and style to give our family and most importantly friends a party they would NEVER forget!
I also want to let you know about a couple other spectacular people I’ve met throughout this journey. I met Brittany Leshen my gorgeous, gothic goddess who is responsible for much of the makeup for my bridesmaids on my wedding day! She also took charge of my hair and makeup for my boudoir shoot with Sasha! Brittany also introduced me to her friend Kayla Willkom Scanlon who is a professional hair stylist in Pittsburgh and dedicated her time to my hair, and multiple bridesmaids for the big day! To the woman who saved the day, wedding hair stylist Nicole Brentzel Webb from Polished to Perfection in North Huntington, PA was able to crank out the curls, plaster our heads with hair spray and literally our hair lasted through the entire night of fun and dancing!
I cannot forget my wonderful musicians! An amazing volunteer through Jamie’s Dream Team, Deborah Walters stumbled across my story as she herself was looking to give back to the community. When I received Debbie’s contact information I was stunned because 1. she was raised in the same town as my parents, and 2. after discussing the music for the church and explaining how may dream has always been to walk down the aisle to “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, Debbie had the music and was more than willing to make my dreams a reality. On such short notice, I never in my life expected to have any more surprises! That was until my dad came across Nyke Van Wyk, a local violinist from my hometown Bethlehem, PA where he works as a traveling violinist, performer, composer and instructor! Without the talent of these two amazing individuals, my wedding would not have had that sparkle and glow that it did in the end!
Rings, what is a wedding without rings! With all the craziness of planning a wedding in two weeks, can you believe I didn’t even think about 1. Choosing rings, 2. Pricing rings, or 3. Having rings for John and I to exchange! It wasn’t until mid week that Jamie from Jamie’s Dream Team called me and asked the very simple questions, “Do you even have rings”, to which my response was “NO!. Me being the back-up plan queen decided that we would just simply get plain bands, exchange them and have them blessed then for our anniversary or the date that I AM CURED, we would celebrate with the exact rings of our dreams. This plan just would not suffice with Jamie being a part of this dream. That’s when GDC Fine Jewelry in Irwin, PA came into my life! I met a woman named Megan! She immediately got me on the phone, had me send her a picture of my engagement ring and an idea for what John would be interested and a day prior to the wedding her incredible team was able to custom design us the most beautiful pair of rings on the planet. The sparkle of my diamond band and delicateness of Johns black band brought tears to my eyes and made this wedding so much more real and sentimental than just a big party. These rings would be the ones to tie our love together, and within those circles our bond shall never be broken!
When it came to decorations, aside from me using whatever I had round up already throughout the year, and knowing that flowers are rather pricey, I initially decided to simply go to Costco and buy some roses and make my own bouquets. That was until a fellow coworker and fellow OT Jess told me her mom is a florist and may be able to help! Val from Peggy’s Floral in Wampum, PA immediately contacted me and wanted to help. She had me send her ideas and picture that I had collected from pinterest and used her creativity to develop simply gorgeous bouquets and décor. I told her “use some scraps and whatever is cheapest”, her response was “I don’t do cheap”. When I got to meet her as I entered the church, I was floored with the beauty of all the flowers she used and the masterpieces she was able to create! My bouquet was filled with gorgeous lilies and pink and purple combinations! Everything was simply exquisite! She even stayed around to fix my dress before I walked down the aisle with my dad! What an absolutely amazing woman she is!
Finally my DRESS! I was lucky enough to had started wedding planning far in advanced and my original dress purchased from Sorelle Bridal in Washington PA came in probably a month prior to my diagnosis. I cannot rave enough about this bridal salon! I initially met Michelle the owner in July when I called her a week before my sister was flying in from LA, and my mom and Jill were coming for Jill’s graduation party at my home. Michelle answered my call and instantly set up a private fitting so I could “Say Yes to the Dress” with my closest family present and at my side. I think it was the 4th dress I tried on that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. I purchased the dress and a little over a month later received a call that it was in! I attended my first fitting and it fit perfect! No need for hemming, I just need a bustle. Sorelle Bridal connected me with Debbie their alterations specialist and another angel I have come across through this journey!
Debbie without question setup a fitting and performed all of my minor alteration and complex bustling effect because my dress was such a gorgeous ball gown. Me being the sparkle queen that I am had initially planned to add appliqués to the waist of my gown for some extra sparkle— I had planned on a trip to NYC to find the perfect amount of bling! With two weeks until the wedding I didn’t have time to shop, that wqas when Debbie pulled out a small box of scraps and we found the most perfect appliqué that matched the exact beading of my dress! It was meant to be I’m convinced! I returned for a fitting and by this time with my stress and fertility treatments I found that I was losing weight. The dress that fit so perfectly the first time was getting big in the bust. Debbie doubled my padding and I was ready for my dream wedding to come true! The next day I had my glamour shoot with the all so talented Sasha which is where we found my dress to be far too big! It was a blessing in disguise that I had that shoot set up prior to my wedding day! I called Debbie immediately and her giving compassionate self dropped everything to get me back in, take measurements, and make my dress everything and more perfect than I could have ever dreamed!
Finally Jamie’s Dream Team. I am at a loss of words for what these extremely kind hearted and compassionate group does for people in need. Jamie literally dropped her life to plan a wedding for me in TWO WEEKS, on top of other big dreams that she was in the process of traveling to and planning! Her staff is nothing short of incredible! Throughout the entire journey from her immediate family (her mom and grandma) to other volunteers (Monika and Leanna just to specifically name a few)… they would text me, call me, check on me like they’ve known me for years. Their dedication and incredibly LARGE caring hearts were always there when I needed them. From reaching out to venders, performing crafts, setting up my entire reception… I am at a complete loss of words for how grateful I am for there services and how I am so excited to join their team and grant other peoples dreams and wishes when they are most vulnerable and in need.
For more information regarding Jamie’s Dream Team and the other fabulous vendors that took part in the mots magical day of my entire life please click the links below.
Jamie’s Dream Team: http://jamiesdreamteam.myfastsite.net
Sasha Danielle Photgraphy: http://www.sashadaniellephoto.com
Paul with ShoFilms Videography: http://www.shofilms.com
DJ Tyler from Modern Era Weddings: http://www.moderneraweddings.com
Nicole from Polished to Perfection: https://www.facebook.com/polishedtoperfection15642/
Nyke Van Wyk Violinist: http://www.nykevanwyk.com
Megan from GDC Jewelry: http://www.gdcjewelry.com
Val from Peggy’s Floral: http://www.peggysfloral.com
Sorelle Bridal: http://sorellebridalsalon.com
shesparkleson.com 