Sara and John will be celebrating their one year anniversary this weekend. Happy Anniversary to you both!!
 I loved this couple and I was so happy to being working on their wedding. In addition to my great couple, I got to work with the incredible Regeti's of Regeti Photography, and the famous wedding and event planner Elizabeth Bailey .  One year ago we did not have a blog. I thought it would be fun to share these pictures. I also wanted to tell you a very amazing story about the week of this wedding.  A lot can happen in one year.

  Clearly, working with a bride that was on America's Next Top Model was a big deal. I wanted to give her and John their dream wedding. I was also looking forward to working with these other vendors, I knew that the event had a big chance of being published. I really wanted to use this opportunity while working with the Regeti's to add some great new images to the portfolio.  As I have shared, I have become a photography junky.  Why create designs that are extraordinary when you'll have no proof?  My art is perishable; I need photographs.  

 
  I was referred to Sara by several of the vendors but she actually saw my work while modeling for the Engaged Magazine Bridal Shoot, check out this link and see the photo shoot on video.  You can also see images from the shoot on my website under Engaged Photo Shoot.  I am still incredibly grateful to Doreen Tisone for featuring my work last summer.
 So, I have made it very clear that this was an important wedding for me, but this story is also about my baby Grace.  Just when you need everything to be perfect so you can do the job, life hands you its own little wild cards.
   I was newly pregnant, and due to my advanced maternal age (I hate that term) they wanted me to do a genetic study of the baby.  Believing all was fine with the baby, I was swayed to take the test. The Monday we started Sara's designs my baby was diagnosed as missing a chromosome.  Here it was one of my most important weddings and I was on the floor in tears. I don't know how we got through that week, it was truly a week of shock, fear, and horror.  My employees are not just my employees, they are my girl friends, spiritual advisers, and support in all things not just flowers. The whole shop was in tears the entire week. I remember watching everything continue with the designs for Sara's wedding, as if I was having a out of body experience. I was so distraught that life would continue to move on and my baby would not be okay.  We were told a "one in a million" chance that Grace, would some how turn out normal.

  I am so proud of our flower shop, and family, this was a unbelievable test. I remember almost being grateful for the work, as it allowed me not to be totally consumed with grief and fear.  We arrived at Sara's wedding with everything absolutely perfect, no one had a clue as to the stress we were all under. I remember giving her the bouquet. At that moment the pure delight on Sara's face gave me the only true happiness I had felt that week. I realized how incredibly awesome it was that we were able to still deliver beautiful flowers in spite of our dilemma.  When I look back on Sara's wedding, it is with amazement and pride that I remember how we handled the week.  I will always be grateful to Debbie, Jessie and Leanna who carried me and the work load while my world was spinning out of control.  Evan and I would have never gotten through that week without their help. 

The good news!!!!!!!!! 12 days later it was determined that my baby Grace was that one in a million baby. She is absolutely perfect and celebrates her 6 month old birthday this week. So happy birthday Grace and Happy Anniversary Sara and John.  Now for the photos.

Here is Miss Grace. All of the the photographs in this post were taken by the Regeti's except for the last image.  The Regeti's invited Grace out for a photo shoot when she was just weeks old. 

 

  • Lisa Schneider Says: (08.07.2009 | 08:33)

    Great photos and an event better story! Still hoping to come down to your shop to see everything in action.

  • Cara Says: (08.07.2009 | 11:33)

    How can that possibly have been a year ago??? What trimphs you’ve had since then… most especially that sweet baby girl. She’s ADORABLE!!!

  • Elizabeth Bailey Says: (08.08.2009 | 08:53)

    Holly, Thank you for the reminder of this very sweet story. I still am amazed that you and your staff produced such beautiful flowers while dealing with such a difficult situation. It was a lovely wedding and a lovely story with a very happy ending for all involved.

  • Holly Heider Chapple Says: (08.08.2009 | 09:26)

    Thanks for all of the great comments on this post. It truly was an Amazing Grace story. It is fun to celebrate a happy outcome.
    Holly

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