For the 3rd year in a row, we have been invited to photograph the Blissful Wishes Ball. The ball is a fundraiser for Wish Upon a Wedding, which is a 501 (c) (3) 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.
Gerber+Scarpelli was one of the original participants to be "wish-granters"- we provided the photography for a lovely couple, Beth and Nick. You can see their blog post here.
This year, our own Nick Gerber was nominated for the Shining Star Award, which recognizes wedding industry professionals that are philanthropic in the Chicago Wedding industry. Previously, Kurt Gerber has won the award.
Many members of the Chicago wedding community came out for Wish Upon a Wedding's First Annual Blissful Wishes Ball which took place on Monday, November 1, 2010 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel.
We are humbled to have been nominated for, and to have won the first Chicago Shining Star Award. G+S Cofounder Kurt Gerber was honored for charity and generosity within the community.
Our mission at G + S to is to always be grateful for what we have and always extend our hand to those in need.
We were also proud to be one of the sponsors for the evening. It was a fun-filled night with over 200 of the most prominent and generous individuals from the wedding industry in attendance. Dana Kozlov from CBS2 Chicago and Dan Bernstein from The Score were the co-emcees and hosts for the evening.
The Blissful Wishes Ball was a gala celebration benefiting Wish upon a Wedding, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide weddings & vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and other serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of sexual orientation.
By giving the gifts of dream weddings & vow renewals, Wish Upon a Wedding is able to grant some of the most intimate and heartfelt wishes of these people's lives, and help them share this important day with close family members. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales from the Blissful Wishes Ball will benefit Wish upon a Wedding, Chicago, and its mission. This fabulous event would never have happened if it wasn't for the hard work and dedication of our dear friend and colleague, Ali Phillips of Engaging Events by Ali. We are so blessed to have such amazing giving spirit in our community.
The photographers at Gerber+Scarpelli have been getting published in many magazines across the country for years. But it was this recent spread that we got in Me: In Focus this is especially meaningful.
This spread shows photos taken for the organization Wish Upon A Wedding. Wish Upon A Wedding grants a wedding to people with serious illnesses. It was an honor and privilege to be a part of this event, and look forward to doing it again in the future.
To see the full spread, check out Me: In Focus and click to view on their June issue. You can take a look at it online or purchase a hard copy!
Last night Kurt, Nick, Belen, Lizz and Maggie attended an event to kick off the Chicago Chapter of Wish Upon A Wedding. Wish Upon A Wedding is the only wedding wish granting organization which connects people who have cancer with wedding vendors willing to donate their services to give them an amazing wedding on a very short timeline.
Gerber + Scarpelli is happy to be donating our services to this worthy, worthy cause. We'll be working with Beth and Nick on the Chicago Chapter's first event!
Beth and Nick first crossed paths over ten years ago, at a small party just outside Chicago. It was Beth who first noticed Nick and looked on with admiration as he came to the defense of a fellow partygoer, who had unwittingly become the brunt of a practical joke. She thought he must be a compassionate person to so quickly defend someone else and after they struck up a conversation that night, Nick asked Beth out on a date.
Despite a memorable first date that ended (quite literally) in fireworks, Beth and Nick spent the next few years dating only casually. Their relationship was always a special one and the two were committed friends, but it wasn’t until they saw each other through some hard times that they realized they were meant to spend their lives together. Beth and Nick talked in the abstract about one day getting married, even going as far as to pick out an engagement ring together, but there was no sense of urgency.
In December 2009 Beth, who is the manager of a 9-1-1 call center for a local police department, began having unusual symptoms that ultimately led to her diagnosis of urachal adenocarcinoma. A few short weeks later, as she was about to undergo surgery to remove part of her bladder, her navel and several lymph nodes, Nick quietly returned to the jewelry store they had visited together and purchased the engagement ring. That evening, Nick proposed.
Beth and Nick understand each other on a fundamental level, and they share an inspiring sense of humor. They have each been a constant support system for the other, while coping through Beth’s diagnosis and subsequent treatments. Beth says that, “Nick is there, even if just to hold my hand, rub my back, or suggest foods that fit into a liquid diet.”
When Beth’s Aunt heard about Wish Upon A Wedding through one of their board members, she passed along the information to Beth and encouraged her to apply. Next month, Beth and Nick will finally say “I do” and are most excited about spending a positive and uplifting day with their friends and family. Beth emphasized that, “We want to put all illness out of our minds for this day, and share our joy and our love of LIFE with those who love us.”
Wish Upon a Wedding is proud to grant Beth and Nick their wish of a very special wedding, which will take place in Chicago on April 18, 2010.
And here's a great film featuring the couple from the great video team over at I Do Films:
Many thanks to our Wish Upon a Wedding Wish Granters, who are donating their services and products to make this wedding wish come true for Beth and Nick. Without you it wouldn’t happen; thank you so much from all of us! So far, the list includes:
Renny, Bliss Weddings Consultant
Bill Pollack, Bill Pollack Music, Inc.
Jane Skarosi, Bridal Mansion of Lisle
Amy Blumen, Event Design
Lillian Toma, Starlight Makeup
Anita Vaughn, Officiant
Kurt Gerber, Gerber + Scarpelli
Carol Woldhuis, CWdesigns, Stationer
Deirdre Sheahan, Chicago Trolley, Transportation
Vicki, Giovan’s Restaurant, Venue & Food
Lori Roche, I Do Films, LLC, Videographer
Again, we're so excited to be on this project with so many wonderful vendors. It's great to be able to use our talents to help give such an amazing couple the wedding of their dreams. If you'd like to find out more information, or make a donation to Wish Upon a Wedding visit their website here:
http://wishuponawedding.org/
A big thanks to them for letting us be a part of this extremely rewarding event.
