I feel so honored to be able to share this extraordinary event with you. A team of generous Southern California wedding vendors expressed their gratitude and patriotism to all the men and women serving in the armed forces by putting together a dream wedding in Huntington Beach for 21 military couples to be married or renew their vows at a wedding that could be pulled out of a fairytale. Each and every detail was donated from the dress to the desserts so the couples could experience a truly relaxed and care-free day shared with their friends and loved ones. The vendors behind the celebration have hearts that are just as big as their talent so make sure you check out each and every one down in the credits after you’re done admiring their work in photographs by Studio EMP Inc., Luminaire Images, Gavin Wade Photographers, Happy Photos, Damien Smith Photography and Manalo Empire. Click here to see the full wedding gallery!
Click here to see the entire image gallery!
On Sunday, May 22nd, in honor of Armed Forces day, 21 military couples were married (5 for the first time and 16 renewing their vows) at the same time at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa in the hotel’s Lighthouse Courtyard. Honoring proper military tradition, each couple was presented with a joint service presentation of the saber arch and flying of each of the Armed Forces flags. They were married by K-EARTH 101 Radio Morning Show host Gary Bryan, along with a military chaplain. After the 25 couples were pronounced “husband and wife,” they, along with their guests, enjoyed a festive cocktail reception in the Huntington Ballroom. To make this an amazing day, no detail was be spared as multiple wedding vendors and sponsors generously donated their goods, services, and time.
From one of the brides… On May 22nd I remarried my best friend, and hero. If it was not for the generosity, and also the patriotism of the vendors, our fairytale wedding would have never been within our reach.
I honestly can not say thank you enough for the event that took place on the Sunday. Walking into the hotel that morning and being greeted by so many people, who I know personally lost of a lot of sleep putting this event together, made my day knowing that the day had finally came, where they could let out a sigh of relief and see what a fabulous job they did in the coordination of such a large event. Every detail was perfect down to the vows we said. Alex said he was greeted with such enthusiasm by the great wedding coordinators, that it made him not as nervous.
The professionalism of the both the hair and makeup teams made it easy to sit there and feel like a princess, getting pampered. After staring at myself in the mirror for an hour, being able to open up the closet door and see the most eye dropping dress (that was provided for me by an amazing team of women), I couldn’t keep my eyes off myself. I was greeted by 20 other eager brides. In which we all shared the same stories, so it was like we were not strangers, because we share a bond that can not be broken. Getting handed our personalized bouquets and feeling a little overwhelmed for the wedding to start, we all were walked into a gorgeous room, where a small lunch was provided, although most of us brides could not eat due to the excitement.
During the days prior to the ceremony I had been not feeling well, the vendors/staff were sensitive to my well being and kept making sure I was okay. The last few moments in the room the air was filled with excitement, anxiety, and we couldn’t keep quiet. Bouquets in hand, dresses adjusted one last time and grooms eagerly waiting, we each walked down the beautifully flower decorated aisle, to say I do in front of Gary Bryan, the military chaplain, and our family and friends. The vows seemed to be worded just for us couples. During the ceremony, as they read off each couples “short story,” I notice some of us brides couldn’t help from crying, because we all are faced with the reality that comes with being married to someone in the military.
After the beautiful ceremony, we each saluted our grooms with a kiss, and walked down the aisle as husband and wife (again), to an army of photographers, and video cameras. We had a few short moments before our reception to take photos but each photographer took their time in making us feel unrushed. Walking into a packed room and the cheers of everyone during the first dance, with such a great selection of music, the reception had begun.
The evening was absolutely perfect. The food, the entertainment, the lighting, the cake and cake topper with the serving set, the gorgeous painting that will last forever, the dessert table, live news feeds, the fun photo booth (that I shoved a very large wedding dress into), PERFECT. It was a day made for a girl like me to feel like a princess, in which I did because I married my prince charming and it was all in part of your generosity.
Each person who had a hand in this event, did such an amazing job, the details, the organization, the personalization they gave to each of the 21 couples, all at the same time. It was absolutely perfect, and I myself could not ask for more. The only thing that I would ever ask is to keep up the good work to each and every person who had a hand in this event. The dedication that was put into this special day will forever be etched into my heart, because I know you all didn’t have to take time out of your own schedules, or risk losing money to do an event like this, but yet you did. No words will ever express the gratitude I have for all of you putting this together.
Wedding Photography: Studio EMP Inc. + Luminaire Images + Gavin Wade Photographers + Happy Photos + Damien Smith Photography + Manalo Empire / Wedding Planning: More than Just Weddings / Wedding Venue & Catering: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa / Wedding Invitations: Copper Willow Paper Studio / Hair: Design Visage / Makeup: All Made Up Team / Tuxedos & Wedding Gowns: Friar Tux + Diva Bridal Legacy / Florals: Natural Charms Floral Design (Ceremony) + Flower Fusion (Boutonnieres) + Floral Occasions (Bouquets) / Linens: Fusion Linens / Videography: Godfather Films + Planet Zaya + Memento / Wedding Cake: Simply Sweet Cakery / Cake Toppers: Ginger Babies / Cake Serving Sets: Wire a Cake / Dessert: Charm Event Design (Table Design) + Fork in the Road Catering (Cake & Cupcakes) + Gotta Have S’more / DJ & Photobooth: J&M Entertainment / Couples’ Gifts: Bethany Commemory Fine Art (Painting) + Wedding Chicks (Totes) + Simply Charming (Garters) + Apple-Revolution + Dough a Deer + Caring Dental + El Torito / Promotions: K-Earth 101 + The Bob Hope USO at LAX + Elite Social Management + Purry Communications Group + Hitching Post Public Relations
Love that first photo!
This is all so great! What a fabulous thing to be a part of.
As one of the Brides, I can't say thank you enough to all those involved to make this a truly fairytale event. To see the sparkle in my children's eyes, that they actually got to be a part of my vow renewal with my husband, because they were not able to be at the courthouse when we married, made my heart melt. That was just what they had been asking for. I met a lot of great girls, this is an experience like no other. I was faced with all kinds of problems from the moment I got told I had been selected as one of the winners, but in the end I had forgotten nearly all those little problems.
I was so excited to read this article on your blog ... among many other FABulous vendors! We all came together in strength doing our own part and it was such an honor to give back to the 21 Military Couples. It was special taking part in designing ceremony florals and watching the faces of brides & Miltary grooms go down the alter! Cheers to our Military!
Oh, you had me with the men in uniform!! What a great honor to our Military families! :)
LOVE this! What a great event for such an awesome cause.
I was so excited when asked to shoot this event- I was thrilled and honored that I was given the chance to show a little love back to all our armed forces for all they do for our country. It was heartwarming knowing that many of these couples got married by themselves at a courthouse with no family and they were getting a second chance to have a real wedding- some were just ecstatic! It was also great being part of this huge community of wedding pros coming together for these 21 amazing couples!! A day I will always remember!
It was so awesome and such an honor to photography so a great event for so many wonderful couples! We're really looking forward to the next one!!!
this is such a sweet event, you guys should highlight this on the main blog!
What an amazing thing to do, to show gratitude for all of our heros in the military. Bravo!
This was such a fun and interested event to photograph!
We were absolutely thrilled and honored to cover the social media for this event! Check out the facebook page dedicated just to this event: http://www.facebook.com/MassMilitaryWeddingHB
To all the brides and grooms, we salute you and your military service to our great nation! We applaud you each and every day!
Congratulations to all of you guys!!! The event coordinator, the designers and to all who do their best to make the event possible, I congratulate you all for the good job done. You really chose the best resort, a very romantic resort.
This warms my heart! Kudos to all the generous vendors that took part! Stunning Bouquets and I love that no two were alike. So special!
by the way, i just clicked on the image gallery and its kind of screwed up. like the pictures are too big and are overlapping with the ads on the side. not sure if this is a site wide problem, just wanted to let you know.
It truly was a magical day and we at WireACake were very honored to be a part of the fantastic wedding "Team" of sponsors by donating the cake server sets to all the couples. We sincerely hope the keepsake will be used to cut cakes for many happy occasions throughout their lifetime <3
I am still pinching myself that I was able to give each of the couples a commemorative painting to remember their day. And what an incredible group of professionals to work with to support each of the incredible couples!
My apologies, there was a typo with my web address. Thank you for the incredible story about our military heros.
There is something about a military wedding...just gives you goose bumps.
Robbin Montero
A Dream Wedding
Extremely honored to have been a part of this special event. Charm Event Design had sooo much fun styling the candy/dessert station! Check out the pics up on our blog: www.charm-events.blogspot.com
Thank you Style Me Pretty for the feature! We look forward to participating in the next one :)
Patricia
Charm Event Design
Great Article. I will bookmark and read often. I like your blog template
Amazing blog and very interesting things you got here! I definitely learned a lot from studying most of your earlier posts as well and thought i would drop a inquire into that one!
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