Last summer, several members of New England Wedding Professionals, decided we wanted to do something in order to give back and say thanks to the men and women who risk their lives for our freedom, we wanted to give a dream wedding to a military couple. A few weeks after this was discussed, New England Wedding Professionals was contacted by bride-to-be Sarah and she told us how her and her fiance were getting married before he was deployed on his third tour of duty in the Middle East. We didn’t expect to be contacted so quickly after making this decision as a group, but it did and the planning was underway!

Terri Altergott of Something Borrowed Something New Events, who is both a friend and colleague of mine, took the lead in planning this wedding while I donated the invitations as well as helping Terri coordinate the ceremony on the wedding day. Sarah and I had some common ground that we discovered during the planning process…we share a love for Harleys. She wanted to surprise Dave by having his Harley restored to road condition in time for the wedding and have someone bring it there that day so they could take pictures on it. I thought that was so great that she wanted to do this for him but since he had already been on two tours of duty in the Middle East his motorcycle just hasn’t had the attention it needed and unfortunately there wasn’t enough time to get it ready. So Terri and I put our heads together and managed to still get them a Harley for picture opportunities, we even let Sarah’s mom in on the secret so she could bring Sarah’s boots to the wedding!

My husband did us a huge favor and rode his down to Rehobeth because he knew how special this was to me. Since we wanted this to be a total surprise and didn’t want the ceremony interrupted by the motorcycle, I had him park a couple miles away until I could give him the thumbs up that it was okay to arrive. Once the beautiful sunset ceremony overlooking the golf course was over, I called him and let him know the coast was clear. In the meantime, Terri led Sarah, Dave, their families and wedding party to the front of the country club.

I could hear him approaching so we directed their attention to the entrance and the minute the Harley was in view, Sarah knew what we had done and cried out of both joy and appreciation. Jim Abrams of Shooting Star Photography has previously taken fabulous shots of a bride & groom on a motorcycle so it being his area of expertise, I turned the reigns over to him and just let him direct Terri and I as to what he needed from us. He got some great shots of them and their smiles said it all.

So many wonderful vendors, many of which are members of New England Wedding Professionals, donated their time and services to this wedding. The ceremony was donated by Hillside Country Club, photography by Shooting Star Photography and Artistic Expressions, hair and make-up from Special Event Beauty, flowers from Herbert Berg Florist, cake from Bella Cakes, DJ services from Ra-Mu and the Crew, videography from Video Excellence, gift baskets from Bravo Baskets by Nikki, memory box from Simply Done, honeymoon at Five Bridge Inn, wedding accessories from MA Wedding Guide, ceremony by Justice of the Peace Linda Frizado and a custom designed wedding dress made especially for Sarah by Fee Bain of Emazanti Creations.

This was an amazing experience and one I’m so proud to be a part of. Best wishes to Sarah and Dave for a happy and healthy life together! And a special thanks to Dave for serving our country!