Wish Upon A Wedding
In September, 2009, Wish Upon a Wedding was an idea of its Founder and Executive Director, Elizabeth Guthrie. It launched in January 2010. It is based on the concept that two people in love should never be denied the chance to marry their soul mate, the organization helps couples who have endured much greater challenges than the average person. Specifically, Wish Upon a Wedding provides weddings and wedding vow renewal ceremonies for couples who have faced terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances.
The idea to start a nonprofit wish granting organization occurred to Guthrie she was producing a large scale wedding giveaway in San Francisco in 2009. Over 350 couples entered to win a contest where there could only be one winner. With so many couples in need, she found herself wishing there was a way to donate a dream wedding to more than just one deserving pair.
One couple who entered, in particular, stood out as the foundation of Guthrie's inspiration. Vanessa Muza Teskey was battling Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while her fiance (an officer in the US Air Force) was deployed overseas. This couple ended up winning the giveaway (through public voting) and their love story inspired the creation of Wish Upon a Wedding.
Dedicated to providing weddings and vow renewal celebrations for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances, regardless of [...] orientation, 'Wish Upon A Wedding' grants one of the most profound moments in a couple’s lifetime. It is the organization's goal that, through various media outlets, witcan also raise awareness about the many life-threatening diseases that impact so many thousands of lives every day.
Within its first full year of operation, 15 local chapters were developed in the United States. Plans for 2011 will double the number of chapters. Long term goals include chapters in other countries, around the world.
Leadership and Volunteers
Wish Upon A Wedding is managed by a National Board of Directors. Each chapter has a local Board of Directors and individual Gift Givers. Volunteers may either serve as a board member or a gift giver, but not both, simultaneously.
Its current National President is Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events.