In September 2017 I was in Florida when hurricane Irma hit. We had made the choice to leave but then got word that we would not be able to get gas and that highway travel was at a stand still. We were at Walt Disney World and decided to stay in place and ride out the storm. By the time the storm hit us it was a Category 3 and was very scary. Watching the glass windows bend in and hearing the animals go silent as the storm came like a freight train. There was damage around the resort, but nothing like what we saw on TV from those who were south of us and were hit when the storm was still a Category 5.
So when Engaged Asheville got a request from LLG Events to help do a wedding for a couple who had their world destroyed during Irma, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Marty Bruckner and Lauren Saia lost everything in the world and this was our chance to give them back some beauty. STJ Photography had already made the couple go viral with their engagement photos and we all knew that this wedding would be special.
I was given some guidance in the design boards but the cake design was left up to me. The designs were full of water colors, but it reminded me of the storm. The way that everything comes together and a small piece may look frantic but what comes out of it is pure beauty.
I was very nervous, I want all cakes to be perfect, but this one had some added pressure. Then 2 days before we were told the wedding maybe featured on Good Morning America Online. None of us volunteered for this knowing that, and I think we would of done it no matter what, but that added some extra fun and pressure.
All told the wedding was pro bono, and vendors donated $135,000 in services. It was an honor and a privilege to get to give something back to this couple that gave of themselves so much!
Below is the list of world class vendors that all made this day so perfect. Click on the icon for a link to the article.
Dogwood Designs Bakery 