We were so amazed by the Mass Military Wedding that happened in May at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa ... so when Stacey of Hitching Post PR emailed us and asked if we were interested in featuring it, we were of course, a YES :) Stacey contacted a few of the wedding vendors that were involved in this day and did a little Q&A:
Company: Studio EMP Inc.
What service/product did you donate: Photography for 4 (3 vow renewals and 1 nuptials) of the 21 couples
Why did you get involved in the Mass Military Wedding?: I was so excited when I was invited to participate in this amazing event. Right off the bat I knew it would be a one-of-a-kind wedding! Since I started my business in 1999, I have always tried to use my craft to benefit others and this was a great opportunity to do so again. I was never in the military and have always been grateful toward those who step up for the rest of us. I thought that, even though very small in comparison, this would be a great way to give a few deserving couples priceless images of this incredible day. One of my couples was there only for the photos- they got married at a courthouse and had no photos of the two of them at all. I was more than happy to deliver!
What was it like to be involved in a non-traditional wedding?: After shooting hundreds of weddings, anything new and different is inspiring and welcome. Shooting four couples at a wedding with 16 other couples, a film crew, five other photographers and vendors galore forced me to be adaptive, efficient, quick on my toes, and ready for anything… while still being respectful and considerate. I thrive in situations like this- that’s why I’m a wedding photographer in the first place. Granted, there was a bit more craziness but it was pretty much like a regular wedding… on steroids.
Favorite detail of being involved/of the day: The whole day I felt like we (all the vendors, participants, guests, etc.) were all connected and were all experiencing this thing together. All the vendors were gracious and all the couples were grateful- the sense of community was overwhelming.
Company: Bethany Commemory Fine Art
What service/product did you include?: I created a custom 8”x8” uniquely layered commemorative painting for each couple featuring the ceremony location, bride's dress and military branch.
Why did you get involved in the Mass Military Wedding?: I jumped at the chance to help each couple remember their wedding day (with a commemorative painting) because of the sacrifices they make for us. I dedicated each painting in the memory of my nephew, HN Daniel "Doc" Noble, who served in Iraq.
What was it like to be involved?: It was very fulfilling to commemorate each couple's special day with a unique painting that will last for generations.
The most special detail about being involved or about the day: The most special part of being involved in the mass military wedding was when the couples were cutting their cakes next to their paintings and seeing them together, side-by-side.
Company: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa
What service/product did you donate?: Hosted the ceremony & reception with food & beverage along with other venue space, sleeping rooms for each of the couples, and a honeymoon package.
Why did you get involved in the Mass Military Wedding?: When presented with the idea, the Marketing Team thought it was a great creative way to give back to our Military troops by doing what we do best.......... beautiful weddings! And rather than just picking one couple, it was a way to create special memories for many couples.
Favorite detail of being involved/of the day: My favorite moments were when the Brides and the Grooms met in front of the fountain to begin their journey to the alter and for many their journey as a married couple. The joy seen on their faces was priceless. Another wonderful surprise was the number of sponsors who wanted to participate in making their wedding day, one to remember!
Company: More than Just Weddings
What service/product did you donate?: Served as Lead Coordinator for the Mass Military Wedding. Planned and coordinated details with vendors, 21 brides, and worked directly with PR Firms
Why did you get involved in the Mass Military Wedding?: I work very closely with one of the PR Agencies (Purry Communications) and was approached about planning and handling all of the details pertaining to the wedding. I saw this as my opportunity to give back to our military who has done so much for us all.
What was it like to be involved in a non-traditional wedding?: This was an extraordinary experience on all accounts. It stretched me in ways that I did not know I had the capacity of handling but it was by far the most rewarding event I have planned in my life.
Favorite detail of being involved/of the day: Towards the end of the reception one of the brides came up to me to thank me for adding a special detail to her day. I was informed that her brother passed away during the wedding planning process by another vendor. I arranged to have a photo present of her brother on her reception table. She walked up to me to thank me and gave me the biggest hug of gratitude's that I will never forget. Luckily one of the photographers captured this moment and this particular photo is a culmination of what this event meant to me which was giving of myself to those who unselfishly serve our country.
Additional thoughts: This was a rewarding experience that entailed over 200 hours of planning hundreds of details from receiving the guests RSVP's, coordinating time for the photographers to capture these priceless moments in only a few minutes, planning a wedding for 21 couples I never met before while trying to ensure it was a personal experience for every bride and groom. There were a few days where I thought I could not pull this off due to the lack of sleep, wondering if I missed any details, not knowing if I could please every couple, vendor, etc. Whenever I thought I couldn't pull it off, I would receive an email, thank you card or a phone call from one of the brides or the vendors which motivated me to sacrifice the sleep, put everything in my life on hold and invest countless hours of work into the planning just to ensure the Mass Military Wedding couples had their dream wedding. I also wanted to make sure all of the participating vendors walked away feeling proud to say they sponsored such rewarding event.
Company: Design Visage
What service/product did you include?: Hair Styling for 21 brides
Thoughts: We were very excited to receive a call from Hitching Post PR about this event. Our Design Visage team of artists had been thinking of how we could service the wives of the Military, and poof we received the call. We often will style 21 girls hair on a Saturday, although they are not all brides. Our Team was a bit nervous because we did not have a preview with the girls to see what they wanted for the wedding hairstyle. The day was amazing, the electricity of energy was fantastic. Each one of these brides were so grateful and sweet and caring about each other. We all became one big happy family in the 3 hours of beauty prep. As in many things when you are asked to donate your time, you are touched deeply and you received more than you gave.
Wedding Professionals for the Mass Military Wedding included: 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 and Catering: Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa Wedding Invitations: Copper Willow Paper Studio Hair: Design Visage Makeup: All Made Up Team Tuxedos and Wedding Gowns: Friar Tux + Diva Bridal Legacy Florals: Natural Charms Floral Design (ceremony) + Flower Fusion (boutonnieres) + Floral Occasions (bouquets) Linens: Fusion Linens Cinematography: 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 and 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
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