I try to be very specific about what is posted to the Sage Wedding Pros blog.  This is a blog for the education of the wedding industry.  I try to keep my personal interests, involvements, and investments outside of it.  But, I’m going to do something a little different today.  Today, I’m going to talk about something near and dear to both Kelly and I: Get Hitched Give Hope.  I’m going to do this because I think it’s a great story of how wedding professionals can come together and do something fun and good the community.  And, I hope that by learning a little more about it, you find something and somehow to get involved in your wedding community, on a deeper level.

What is “Get Hitched Give Hope”?

Get Hitched Give Hope is a win-win-win-win.  And by this I mean that everyone gives and everyone wins.

It is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization established to raise money for granting wishes to stage IV breast cancer victims.  We put on a swanky party annually complete with an auction, raffles, and giveaways to raise money for our cause.  Wedding items are donated to our organization by the wedding community.  Engaged couples get to bid on their wedding items.  Everyone gets to win raffle goodies.  100% of net proceeds go to The Making Memories Foundation (the organization who grants these wishes).  This year, the shin-dig is happening next Thursday, October 29th at the Arctic Club of Seattle.

  • Brides and grooms get their wedding items (often at ridiculously low auction prices) – WIN!
  • Wedding vendors get to give back while gaining marketing opportunities – WIN!
  • Making Memories gets to grant more wishes – WIN!
  • Everyone gets a fun party – WIN!

How’d this get started?

It was a dark and stormy night…  Just kidding.  (Tho, this is Seattle… it’s not far from the truth!)

It seems like all good ideas are hatched over a bottle of wine. In late 2007 at a monthly networking event, a lightbulb materialized above our heads, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could make an event that would bring members of the local wedding industry together AND raise money for a great cause?” A novel idea, there was nothing like it in our area. Over the next several months, Get Hitched, Give Hope was born.  And, we’ve been working hard sleepless nights ever since… and loving every minute of it.  Read more about the ladies and gent of Get Hitched Give Hope here.

Photo Courtesty of Jenny Jimenez Photography

Photo courtesy of Jenny Jimenez Photography

The Big Picture

This is not an easy thing to pull off.  The ladies and gent make it look easy.  We are all volunteers in this.  And, every single day that we work crazy hours to make this materialize I know the following:

  • In 2008, we were able to raise $30,000 which enabled us to grant approximately 8 wishes
  • We are creating something unique: a WIN-WIN-WIN-WIN
  • This team is AMAZING and I love the things we do and what each of us individually brings to the table
  • This is a seriously awesome industry that we belong to!
  • It is a seriously rockin’ party!

Be A Giver

So, this is a call to action… find something, someway, somehow to be a giver.  We all started our businesses for different reasons.  We each have differing personal needs for our businesses.  Now is time to think big picture and be a giver in some way.

Oh – and if you are in the Seattle area (or want to fly to visit us next week) buy your ticket for Get Hitched Give Hope here.  If you’re not in the area and want to be a giver to our charity, you can donate to Get Hitched Give Hope here.

Thank you wedding pros… you are not only sage in your wisdom… but kind in your heart!