It is always an honor to work with a couple or a family through Wish Upon a Wedding. Maria and Jason are such a loving and lovely couple – and their boys, Juan and Mateo, are the absolute sweetest! Being able to create a special vow renewal ceremony that reflected the love that they had for each other, as well as the love that they had for their beautiful family, was a joy and something that I feel fortunate to have been part of. 

The vow renewal began with a Sand Ceremony, to include the boys and honor each person in the family as a valued member. Maria and Jason poured their sand first to represent the foundation of the family. The boys layered their sand colors next so that they blended, but could still be seen individually. This represented that as brothers, they would be joined for life, yet still unique in their own way. Finally, Maria and Jason poured their sand on the top to represent their protection of this wonderful family unit. (The boys LOVED this!) 

Jason and Maria then shared personally written, heartfelt vows. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

After their vows, I created a special coin ceremony, based on the 13 Coins or Arras, which is a ritual practiced in many Spanish speaking cultures. This was a nod to Maria’s Columbian heritage. I’ll share more about that on an upcoming blog post!

For now – enjoy this heartwarming story recently posted on the Wish Upon a Wedding website!

Originally posted at:

Wish Upon a Wedding – A Philly Vow Renewal

Lacey Eldersveld January 10, 2020

 

 

On November 3, 2019, Maria and Jason gathered with friends and family at the Knowlton Mansion in Philadelphia, PA to renew their vows after 14 years of marriage.

 

 

For this lovely couple, who first met through friends nearly 16 years ago, the day marked the perfect opportunity to celebrate a love that has persevered in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health and through long distances and years apart. Shortly after the couple starting dating in 2004, Maria was forced to return to Colombia, her home country, to apply for a new visa. Although the process took nearly two years, Jason’s love and commitment never wavered. He visited her as much as possible and in 2005, asked for her hand in marriage. She was granted her visa in August of 2006 and the couple returned home to the states and was married that October.

 

 

Over the course of the next few years, Jason and Maria started a family and were blessed with two sons. In the beginning of 2015, Maria went in for her first mammogram. She had noticed a change in one of her breasts and was anxious to have it checked out. The scan revealed a mass and a biopsy confirmed the news that she had been dreading. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy in March of 2015, followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

 

 

This past spring, Maria began to experience some troublesome coughing. She went in for scans and was sadly told that the cancer had moved to her lungs and liver. She has continued treatment and is working with her doctors to stop the progression of her disease.

 

 

We’ve loved hearing Jason and Maria’s story and were honored to grant their wish for a vow renewal. From start to finish, the day unfolded like a fairy tale. Gorgeous sunshine, delicious food, a Cinderella ball gown, over-the-top balloon display, breathtaking flowers, a stunning cake, great friends and so much love.

 

 

 

We couldn’t have pulled any of this off without the tireless work of our incredible team, led by Ticia of The Calla Lily Event Planning. Thank you sweet friends – we are so thankful for your incredible work:

 

Planner: The Calla Lily Event Planning

Venue: Knowlton Mansion

Caterer/Cake: Conroy Catering 

Floral: William Penn Inn Flower Shop

Stationer: Pretty Ink Press

Photography: Karen Ann Photography

Videography: New Pace Wedding Films

Beauty: ANF Hair Designs 

DJ: Sound Sensations DJ 

Officiant: Lehigh Valley Celebrants

Gown: La Bella Moda

Photo booth: Poser Photography

Balloon Backdrop: Peonies Events 

Harpist: The Happy Musician

Suits: The Men’s and Boy’s Store

Flower Girl Attire: Rosebud Fashions

Favors: Four R Benefit 

Rentals: Vintage Kissed

Linens: Nuage Designs

Garter: The Garter Girl 

Robe: Ella Winston