Wedding For the Saints
Let me tell you a story…a story about a community that came together to help complete strangers in their time of need.
As many of you have been following along this past weekend, LLG Events was asked to be part of a very special journey, involving two of the kindest people, Lauren Saia and Marty Bruckner. It all started with 2 hurricanes, a proposal, an engagement photoshoot and one amazing love story. A love story that inspires us and reminds us that life may not always be perfect or operate according to plan, but if you have one another you can conquer the world. We were touched by their story and we knew we had to be involved. As part of our LLG Gifted initiative, making giving back the epicenter of our business, we chose to gift our planning services to create a once in a lifetime celebration for Lauren and Marty. We weren’t expecting anything in return, we just wanted to give two amazing people a wedding they deserve.
David Kimmel Design, based in Dallas Texas, was the first vendor on board and we knew that David would create something amazing. But once we got David we needed to find the dream venue. Throughout our planning journey we encountered several challenges of finding vendors that shared our passion. We emailed so many different places and most of our emails went unanswered. But one Monday morning we received a hopeful email from Marta Santamaria the owner of The Venue and The Ridge in Asheville, North Carolina. She wanted to be involved in any capacity and was willing to offer both her venues at a major discount. We were shocked, overwhelmed and so fortunate and we couldn’t wait to relay the news to our couple! That email propelled us forward and we knew we were in business! We continued to persevere in finding other vendors willing to help and eventually our search led us to the Engaged Asheville team. We sent a general inquiry email on their website and the next morning we were flooded with emails from vendors all across North Carolina. The response was overwhelming. Vendors were willing to donate entertainment, cakes, stationery, welcome bags, hair and makeup, the list goes on. Before we knew it we ended up assembling the perfect team of creatives from all across America to orchestrate the #weddingforthesaints. Looking back, their efforts paralleled the efforts of the St. John community post hurricane. How in times of need, people come together for complete strangers highlighting the beauty of the human spirit. This message transcended throughout the entire wedding weekend starting from people driving from Texas or New York and donating the best of their creativity and innovation in addition to their generosity.
The weekend did not just prove weddings were a way for families to come together, it proved that communities can also come together and celebrate true love.
Read our feature on Good Morning America!!!!
Complete vendor list:
Event planning, coordination and design: LLG Events — @llgevents
Photography: Anne Bequette, STJ Creative Photography — @stjcreativephotography
Floral design: David Kimmel Design — @davidkimmeldesign
Venue (based on event):
- Rehearsal dinner: Engaged Asheville — @engagedasheville
- Ceremony venue: The Ridge — @theridgeavl
- Reception venue & catering: The Venue — @thevenueavl
Rehearsal dinner catering: The Venue — @thevenueavl
Wedding dress: Martina Liana Bridal — @martinalianabridal
Wedding day videography: Cassandra Isbell — @cassandraisbellphoto
Wedding day second photographer: Joel Conner from Shadow & Light Photography — @shadowandlightstl
Rehearsal dinner DJ: Meseret, Phantom Pantone — @phantompantone
Ceremony guitarist: Collective Music Solutions — @collectivemusicsolutions
Reception DJ: Erica Berg, Collective Music Solutions — @collectivemusicsolutions
Hair: Je’Taime, Sugar & Spice Salon — @sugarandspicesalon
Makeup: La Belle Visage — @labellevisagenj
Accommodations: AC Hotel — @achotelasheville
Engaged Asheville community: @engagedasheville
Cake: Dogwood Designs Bakery — @dogwood_baker
Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn — @poppyhandcraftedpopcorn
Floral warehouse/assistance: Blossoms at Biltmore Park — @blossomsatbiltmorepark
Calligraphy: Joy Unscripted — @joyunscripted
Rehearsal dinner drinks: Wicked Weed — @wickedweedbrewing
Farewell brunch venue: Highland Brewing Company — @highlandbrewing
Transporation: Young Transporation — @youngtransportationandtours
Originally published at www.llgevents.com on August 13, 2018.
