April marked the launch of a new non-profit here in Seattle called Wish to Wed.

 Wish to Wed allows couples who are getting married and also facing serious life-threatening obstacles to concentrate on the more serious issues affecting their lives.  From the venue to the cake, and most everything between, we take care of all the wedding planning and details. In a special ceremony, our couples pronounce their ever-lasting love to one another, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

Who’s behind Wish to Wed?

Sarah Swanson, owner of EVENTful Moments

Zerlinda Lochtie, owner of Laineemeg Bridal

And

Tracy Stocker, owner of Hidden Meadows

We are just 3 small town girls trying to make a difference in our community.

April 19^th marked the official Launch party, held at Trail Side Events Center in Snohomish.

Family and friends gathered for a night of “Booze, Food and Bad Dance Moves”.  The night was a smashing success thanks to all of our wonderful contributors! Some of the highlights included a mock bouquet and garter toss, crazy good times in the photo booth and a late night dessert bar.

*Photos by : Arlene Chambers Photography 

The first ever Wish to Wed couple  was just announced & the girls cannot wait to begin the planning process!

To hear all the latest updates and events, please be sure to follow us on Facebook or visit our website at: www.wishtowed.org

Here in Seattle, we LOVE all of our charity friends – we support them, attend their events and wish them the best of success in all of their hair braiding adventures! SO many of our FAV GHGH Giver Vendors/Sponsors will be here.  You should come down to WEDLOCKS this weekend!! Check’em out!

“Meet top Seattle hair, beauty, accessories and health superstars at WedLockson 4/27 at Pike Place Market’s event space (located in the atrium & above Crepes de France..  WedLocks is a wedding event like no other, produced by OffWhite Beauty and Shindig Events. Bring your wedding party, your mom, your BFF and get pampered in our beauty bar, get your tresses twisted in our braid and bun bars and get a drink in our BAR bar. There will be promotional savings that you can only get on site at the event, raffle prizes throughout the day, a photo booth, tasty bites and delectable desserts. Charitable proceeds will support Locks of Love.”

Ticket Prices & Details

What:  WedLocks: A unique hair & beauty show for gals and dudes getting married. Hosted byOffWhite Makeup & Beauty  and  Shindig Events.
Date: April 27, 2013 11:00 AM – 3 PM
Location: Pike Place Market Event Space  - ​85 Pike Street, Room 500, Seattle, WA 98101
Tickets: General Admission is $10 per person. CLICK HERE to purchase through Brown Paper Tickets.

What’s going down:

• Explore new hairstyle and make-up tricks with some of the top talent in Seattle.
•  Check out nifty wedding decor and trends in our decked-out newly refurbished venue at the iconic  Pike Place Market.
•  Get your tresses twisted in our Braid Bar and Bun Bar. Treats and drinks from  Shooby Doo Catering,  Dianne’s Delights  &  Spun Cotton Candy.
• Photo booth from  Jenny GG Photography
• Raffle prizes from local salons & vendors including VAIN Salon, The Beauty Collective, Flywheel & more!
• Proceeds of raffle and drink tickets will support  Locks of Love

For more infomration email:info@shindigevents.org  

Get Hitched Give Hope‘s Third Annual Hopebrew was a SMASHING success!!  Thanks to all of you we raised over $5,000!!!

Thanks to the hard work of the fabulous fundraising team – headed up by Heather Driscoll, Erin Stroup, Megan Keller & so many other amazing people!!

First of all – Dear Melrose Market Studios, we love you more than ever – you are so wonderful & generous. THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!  Love, The GHGH Team

We had a generous amount of homebrew from Filthy Brewing Alliance & Impaling Allers some fantastic cider from our favorite Alpenfire Cider company – for our DD’s we had Dry Soda, Espresso Elegance and a LOTLOTLOTLOT of food for everyone thanks to Lisa Dupar Catering, Gormondos Catering, Tuxedo’s & Tennis Shoes, Calf & Kid and no one will ever forget the amazing desserts from D:floured! Yuuuummmmm!!

Our decor was off the chain! (litterally – those scallywags! haha!)  Our pirate theme was brought to us by the collaborative team of Vintage Ambiance, Bash & Bloom & the superrad photobooth from Laurel McConnell Photography. (photos posted on FB) 

The raffle items were OVER THE MOON & hilariously announced by Brad Howe of the Kangaroo & Kiwi – (man he is funny!!) and the dancefloor was PACKED thanks to Austin Beaver & Braden Landon.

Luckily we had Lucas Mobley Photography & Barbie Hull Photography there to document the whole evening… or no one would believe how amazing it really was!!  Below is a little sneak peek of my favorites – but if you want to see the whole gallery, visit our facebook page :: {HERE}

We are so thrilled to see Jenny Harding & our wonderful friends over at One Love are putting on their second annual showcase!!  Its going to be amazing – there are 80 fabulous Seattle wedding vendors, AND if you would like to make a fancy night out of it – you can get a special rate at the exquisite Olive 8 by mentioning One Love!

Here are the details :

Second Annual One Love Wedding Showcase // www.oneloveseattle.com

Hyatt Olive 8; 12 – 5pm  {Free to ALL} Valet parking specials // Raffles and Giveaways too!

Hope to see you there!

Yarr!! Get Hitched Give Hope presents our 3rd Annual Hopebrew, a celebration of local home-brewers benefiting Young Survival Coalition and Dream Foundation!

This year we’ve collaborated with more than 10 home brewers to host another amazing event to raise money for our featured charities. Come enjoy some amazing beer, nibbles, and desserts from our amazing sponsors, a pirate-themed photo booth from Laurel McConnell Photography, as well as music by DJ Austin Beaver. Don your favorite pirate garb and don’t forget to study up on How To Talk Like a Pirate, because you’re gonna need it!

WHEN: Thursday March 28th 7-10pm

WHERE :Melrose Market Studios, 1532 Minor Avenue Seattle

HOW: Get your tickets now to support a great cause and your local community!

Thank You to our wonderful Sponsors!
Melrose Market Studios
Talented Home Brewers
Kerri Efendi Designs
Laurel McConnell Photography
Barbie Hull Photography
Bash and Bloom
It’s All In The Details
Austin Beaver
Heathoriginal
A Kurant Event
Gourmondo Catering 
Bizible
d:floured
Christopher Flowers
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes 
The Calf and Kid
Vintage Ambiance
Lisa Dupar and Company 
Holly-Kate and Company
Pedersens Rentals

Dream Foundation’s Tom Rollerson and Michelle Hunter attended the 2012 Get Hitched Give Hope gala with dream recipient Sarah Parrish’s mother Shari and sister Rachel. Photo by La Vie Photography.

His face is kind. His mission is kinder.

His speech brought tears to every eye under our big top. His personal struggle was the inspiration that has brought many joy. Meet Tom Rollerson, the founder of Dream Foundation.

Tom founded Dream Foundation in 1994 after a very personal experience that he shared with us all the night of Get Hitched Give Hope. He realized that there was no organization that granted final wishes to adults, and here began his journey to make it happen. Over a decade later, they have delivered thousands of dreams, ranging from one final family vacation to talking shoes with Lady Gaga.

We were honored to have the support of Tom and one of his colleagues, Michelle Hunter, at our event. It was because of them that we had the opportunity to meet Sarah and her family; Sarah spoke at last year’s Get Hitched Give Hope after receiving her dream of seeing a Broadway show. We were elated to hear that Sarah’s mom and sister would be joining us at GHGH this year. The love in the room was unparalleled as each of them took the stage to tell their stories. And then a week after the big event, this arrived: a letter from Tom. What a whirlwind of a year it’s been, and how our hearts are warmed by the dedication and love this organization has shared.

To all the guests, volunteers, and the Get Hitched, Give Hope team… Thank You!

Just thinking about how to express my appreciation I am speechless. For all you’ve done to help ensure no dying adult is ever denied a heart’s final wish… my gratitude is boundless.

Michelle and I were honored to attend the event and witness the manifestation of so many kindred and good-hearted people coming together to celebrate love and give to the greater good. From the volunteers, vendors, entertainment and food to the spectacular circus theme, the event was very impressive… but mostly for its heart.

The opportunity to be present with you was a “full circle moment” for the mother and sister of our beloved dream recipient, Sarah, who’d stood on the very same stage last year with Sarah at their side. Shari and Rachel felt your love. And they knew Sarah had made a difference in your heart.

I’ll never forget Shari’s comment that when she thinks of her daughter, it’s not cancer that comes to mind, but the memory of her having been there with you and sharing her dream.

I’ll also always remember sharing a special corner of my heart and the unexpected and overwhelming support and love I felt in return.

It was just last year that you all came to know Dream Foundation. I am humbled at the support you’ve so generously shown our dreamers in such a short period of time.

I hope to see you again, and that together we can continue honoring the final wishes of others. Please come visit us in Santa Barbara!

On behalf of Michelle, the Dream Foundation staff and the dream families we serve, I thank you.

From the heart,

Thomas Rollerson, Founder/President of Dream Foundation

 

If you’d like to be directly involved with their dream granting program, donate airline miles, choose something off their wishlist (gift cards, hotel stays, etc),  or help make a featured dream come true, visit their website at www.dreamfoundation.org.

Close your eyes for a second. Imagine the salty smell of popcorn and sweet aroma of cotton candy, the sparkle of glitter and whimsy of balloons, the trumpeting of elephants and rumbling roar of lions.

You hear the call of the ringmaster, booming out over the roaring crowd in his melodic cantor, “Laaaaaadies and gentlemen, brides and grooms, welcome to the grrrrrreatest show on earth! A spectacular spectacle! The most giving of galas! The show of all shows! Step right up, and see the one, the only, the most fantastic gathering of clever coordinators, beguiling beat-makers, fantastic florists, delectable deserts, skillful shutterbugs, and dashing dressmakers all under one roof!” Welcome to the 5th annual Get Hitched Give Hope.

FOR OUR 5TH ANNIVERSARY- WE SET OUR GOAL HIGH. WITH YOUR HELP, WE RAISED A CELEBRATION-INDUCING $100,000. FROM THE TIPS OF OUR TOES TO THE TOPS OF OUR HATS, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

On November 8th 2012, over 500 brides and grooms, their friends and family, and Seattle’s most philanthropic wedding professionals came together once again to support the work of Dream Foundation and Young Survival Coalition Seattle. Brooke and Jubal from Movin 92.5 lead the evening with humor, stories, and introductions. With caramel corn in hand, you bid on silent auction items that would make any bride’s heart flutter, pledged to grant final dreams, and listened to stories from the heart; stories about how you have helped people in their final days have one last dream come true. As tears welled in our eyes, you gave more, bid higher, and won the MOST amazing jewelry, accessories, food, getaways, and services for your weddings in the history of Get Hitched Give Hope.

And then…. the moment we have been waiting for all year long. The pop of the confetti canons and delighted yelps of happiness from the crowd followed four simple words:  ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. Confetti fluttered from the ceiling as we danced harder than we’ve ever danced before. It was a night we will never forget, and we are so proud that we got to share it with you.

Standing ovations and applause worthy of the best circus act in the history of the world goes to our tireless volunteers, selfless sponsors, and generous vendors. Without our GHGH family, we could not have had so much fun, gotten such amazing deals, and raised so much to make final dreams possible.

>>> The Goods that were up for bid<<<       >>> The Vendors and Sponsors of our 2012 gala<<<

AND SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

• Miss the event and still want to grant some wishes? You can still make a donation online!
• Interested in participating in our 2013 event? Sign up here to get more info on how to be a Sponsor, Team Member, or  Volunteer!!
• Wanna see pictures from this year’s gala? Head on over to our Facebook page!!!

The 2012 Get Hitched Give Hope organization, including board members, VP’s, and team members!

We are all volunteers, so when we hear of other amazing charities out there… we LOVE to help!! Anything we can do that will make someone’s life a little bit better we are happy to do it!

Donate your wedding dress after your wedding and help couples in need!

Brides for a Cause collects and resells wedding dresses to raise money for charity.  The organization is partnered with Wish Upon A Wedding, a national non profit organization that provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing serious illness.  Your wedding dress will be resold to help make these weddings possible.  Visit www.bridesforacause.com if you are interested in donating your wedding dress to help someone in need!  Your donation is 100% tax deductible.

Today was a day unlike many others – we (Christopher, Megan & I) delivered a dream to a very young family down in Tacoma.  Jeremy (age 27) who married is beautiful wife Jasmine (age 27) in June this year.  Together they have seven lovely children – all under the age of 8. Jayden – age 5, Cameron – age 8, Daniel – age 5, Kirsten – age 7, Malachi – age 5, Toni – age 4, Rylee – age 7.

On February 3rd of this year Jeremy was diagnosed with brain cancer – he was given less than 12 months to live.  He & his family have never enjoyed the luxury of travel or vacations so his wish was to have the chance to watch his children play & enjoy a water park – just one time before he passes.

Being there today to hand over the package prepared by Dream Foundation was an amazing & humbling experience – this is the real reason we work so hard all year long to help raise funds, awareness & to make a difference in people’s lives.

 On December 2nd, this family will enjoy 3 days and 2 nights at the Great Wolf Lodge along with $500 in certificates to the resort & a camera to document it all – playing in the water park and enjoying a few peaceful days of luxury!

Jeremy & Jasmine, thank you so much for welcoming us into your lives & letting us share your story! We hope you have a wonderful few days away!!

Zinchuk Films — one of Seattle’s top videography companies, not only are they talented – but they are generous too!!  This is their third year of participating with Get Hitched Give Hope & we cannot say thank you enough!!  Each year they donate a wedding video to be auctioned off — where all of the money spent goes to charity — in 2012 Janine & Larry bid on their services, here is the AMAZING video they created. (grab a tissue!!)

Janine + Larry: Growing old with you from Alexander Zinchuk on Vimeo.