Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit that grants weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or serious life-altering circumstances. The goal is simple and profound: a day free from worry, filled with love, and surrounded by the people who matter most.
Wish Upon a Wedding exists to grant weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or life-altering health
circumstances. The nonprofit helps couples alleviate the financial burden and time commitment that planning a wedding entails, focusing instead on dealing with their treatments and spending time with their loved ones. It's their goal to provide a day for their couples that is free from the worry of their disease and that is filled with love and light - and one that they did not have to stress about!
A terminal diagnosis changes everything. The financial weight of treatment. The emotional toll of uncertainty. The feeling that celebration has no place in the middle of it all.
Wish Upon a Wedding says otherwise. These days don't just create memories — they create moments of pure joy at the time when hope is needed most.
Explore the touching stories below that were only made possible by the dedication of Wish Upon a Wedding, the vendors who volunteer their time and service, and people like you who simply believe in the importance of celebrating love — without exception.
Allison and Sal’s love story began in 1998 on a dance floor, dancing to Brown Eyed Girl. At the end of the night, Sal worked up the courage to ask for Allison’s number. He called her the next day to set up a double date, and the rest is history. They married in 2001 and built a beautiful life together, adding three children along the way.
In 2022, Allison discovered a lump in her breast. She went in for a mammogram and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. She underwent surgery and treatment and was very optimistic about her prognosis. A year later, however, a seizure revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain. Following more treatment and 17 months of clear scans, they received another heartbreaking setback when the cancer spread to her bones. Today, Allison continues to fight with incredible strength and determination for the family she loves so deeply.
As they approached their 25th wedding anniversary, Allison and Sal's dream of renewing their vows became even more meaningful. Thanks to an extraordinary team of wish granters, they were surrounded by family, friends, beautiful florals, heartfelt toasts, and a packed dance floor as they celebrated a love that has weathered every storm.
Wedding Planning + Design: @theperfecttouchkc Wedding Dress: @bridalbyshl Venue: @uskcevents Catering: @brancatorcatering Saxophonist: @twiceonsundayband Dessert: @katesmithsoiree Live Painter: @libbyrulepaints Photography: @haileyrosephotos Videographer: @aarondatufilms Violinist: @violettastringsmusic DJ: @iconeventgroupkc Groom's Attire: @toddsclothiers Florals: @lilyfloralcollective Video Guest Book: @lumeneventskansascity Rentals: @lelucilighting @supplyevent Hair: @hairdonebyalona Makeup: @lovelybeautykc
Tony and Brenda first met in their neighborhood when they were just 15 years old. What began as a friendship quickly bonded by a shared love of music grew stronger over the years. In 2011, they formed a band together, spending countless nights playing gigs, traveling, and building a life together. Somewhere along the way, friendship turned into attraction, and eventually, love.
After nearly a decade of making music and memories together, Tony and Brenda decided to start a family. They welcomed a beautiful baby boy and soon after began planning the wedding they had long dreamed of.
In the midst of those joyful plans, Tony began experiencing debilitating headaches. While traveling in Mexico, the pain became unbearable, leading them to seek emergency care. A scan revealed a brain bleed, and Tony was urgently transported to San Diego, where he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. He underwent immediate surgery to remove the tumor, followed by months of chemotherapy and radiation.
During treatment, the couple moved in with family to help ease the burden while caring for their young son and navigating an incredibly challenging season of life. Despite it all, their love and resilience never wavered.
Wish Upon a Wedding loved meeting Tony and Brenda and their beautiful family and was honored to grant them their long-awaited wedding. The day was a celebration of their journey, their strength, and the enduring love they have shared through every chapter of life together.
Wedding Planning + Design: @fantastical_adventures Wedding Coordination Support: Daniella Gazda Florals + Design: @somethingsbloomingla Wedding Planning Support: @teardropweddingevents Venue: @spanishhillsspecialevents Content Creation: @socialvow Photobooth: @hollywood_photobooth Photography: @tristamajaphotography Videography: @newendingproductions Band: @rockola.musica_ DJ: @thediscobill Catering: @bigjoestacos_ Non-Alcoholic Bar + Beverage Services: @neat.andnoble Wedding Cake: @jaydenandcoevents Rentals: @adorefolklore @catalogatelier Floral Preservation: @refloradesigns Bridal Hair + Make Up: @tiffanykartistry Wedding Dress: @lorienbridal Signage Printing: Color Image Copy & Print Alterations: @folklore_dress_studio Ceremony Violinist: @aethereal_strings Favors: @partypoppopcorn Hotel Stay: @fairfieldcamarillo Live Painting: @withlovefromheidi Non-Alcoholic Champagne: @drink_semiplume Officiant: Great Officiants / Father Mike Wedding Dance Lesson: @weddingdancelessonla Grooms Attire: @Generationtux Stationery: @Mintedweddings Linens: @Nuagedesigns
Jaime and Ben first met in 2004 and dated for just three weeks before going their separate ways. Four years later, life brought them back together, and this time, everything clicked. They picked up right where they left off, married soon after, and began dreaming of starting a family. After enduring the heartbreak of multiple miscarriages, they were overjoyed to welcome their daughter, who is now 10 years old.
In 2021, Jaime came down with what she thought was a severe case of food poisoning. A precautionary CT scan unexpectedly revealed a tumor in her lung. Healthy, active, and symptom-free, she never imagined it could be cancer. But a biopsy confirmed a rare form of the disease. Jaime underwent surgery to remove half of her lung, followed by chemotherapy, and achieved remission, if only for a short time. Tragically, the cancer later returned and spread to her bones. Today, she continues to fight with incredible strength while enduring the difficult physical and emotional toll of treatment.
The nonprofit loved playing a small role in this beautiful chapter of Jaime and Ben's story. After everything they've faced together, they deserved a day that celebrated not their diagnosis, but their enduring love.
Wish Upon a Wedding sourced an incredible wish-granting team that created the perfect country-inspired vow renewal, complete with cowboy hats, heartfelt details, and the breathtaking Colorado mountains as their backdrop. It was a joyful reminder that even in life's hardest seasons, love is still worth celebrating.
Wedding Planning + Design: @mrsplanners Venue: @DeerCreekValleyRanch Photography: @ariananicole_photo Selfie Photobooth: @mihi_entertainment Videographer: @visualanties DJ: @thevoicesofjohn Catering: @wildfire_cuisine Wedding Cake: @sweetsistersbakeshopllc Linens: @AllWellRentsDenver Florist: @Floralwild_designs Hair + Make Up: @beautyonlocationstudio Custom Painting: @eventartbysarahjane Groom's Attire: @Generationtux
Daniel and Sasha’s love story began more than 12 years ago when Daniel walked into the hair salon where Sasha worked. What started as a haircut quickly grew into a friendship that lasted for years. Though they were both in other relationships at the time, life eventually brought them back together, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
Together, they built a beautiful life with Sasha’s daughter and spent years pursuing their careers and dreaming about the future. This past year, Daniel surprised Sasha with a proposal, and she happily said yes. But shortly after their engagement, Sasha discovered a lump in her breast. A mammogram revealed an aggressive form of breast cancer, and she immediately began treatment, facing the physical and emotional challenges that come with such a devastating diagnosis.
Wish Upon a Wedding proudly granted Sasha and Daniel’s wedding wish and celebrated their love during such a difficult season. Alongside their sweet friends at Hitched Planning, Sasha and Daniel watched their dream day come to life at The Glass House at River Oaks. From the breathtaking setting and Sasha’s fairytale-worthy gown to the stunning florals and incredible food, every detail was thoughtfully designed to surround them with love.
To the incredible team of wish granters: thank you. Because of your generosity, Sasha and Daniel were able to set aside the weight of cancer for a day and simply be a bride and groom, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Wedding Planning + Design: @hitchedinkc Venue: @theglasshouseatriveroaks Photography: @alyssabarletter Videography: @GlenwoodWeddings DJ: @jam.kc Caterer: @bluepot Wedding Cake + Cupcakes: @bluethistlecakes Rentals: @supplyevent Florist: @goodearthfloral Hair + Make Up: @bronzedandblushed Classic Car: @showtime_limokc Mocktails: @lucilleslanding Stationery: @yellowbrickgraphics Groom's Attire: @Generationtux
Tina and Jeff first met in college in 2009, when Jeff, freshly returned from serving in Iraq, joined one of Tina’s study groups. They felt an immediate connection and started dating soon after. They fell in love, built a life together, and in 2016, said “I do” in their friend’s backyard.
Over the years, they had five beautiful children, including a set of twins. It was during Tina’s pregnancy with the twins that everything changed. After discovering a rapidly growing lump in her neck, she underwent a biopsy that confirmed every family’s worst fear: stage 4 cancer. At just 20 weeks pregnant, Tina needed to wait 12 more weeks to safely deliver her babies before beginning treatment.
Once the twins were born, she began an incredibly aggressive regimen of chemotherapy and radiation at Stanford. Sadly, her cancer has continued to progress and is now active in her liver.
And yet, through it all, Tina remains a light. Her strength, her hope, and her determination to show up for her family each and every day is nothing short of extraordinary.
Thanks to Wish Upon a Wedding, Tina and Jeff's vow renewal came to life. It was a day filled with love, joy, and the kind of moments that remind us all what truly matters.
Wedding Planning + Design: @theharperoc @wedgewoodweddings Content Creation: @kikkicontent Photographer / Videographer: @truephotographyandvideo Live Musician Group: @pinkmozartent Boba Drinks: @iheartbobala Catering: @thehardwarehousekitchen Dessert: @patty.cakes Rentals: @yennispartyrentals Rentals - Candles: @lumrentalco Rentals - Linens: @luxe_linen @veronica_luxelinen Florals: @oliviasmum Wedding Dress + Alterations: @monamiebridalsalon Wedding Dress + Flower Girl Dresses: @showmeyourmumu @mumuweddings Babysitting: @wedding.sitter Flowers: @east_texas_smilax Jewelry: @and.arlen Live Painting: @luminaartcollective Officiant: @wedbyjoininghearts Valet Company: Special Parking Services Groom's Attire: @Generationtux Stationery: @Mintedweddings
