Save the Date

Melissa sent me a Save the Date last week and I think it is just perfect.

I want to thank Rachael at Crested Butte Events for her generosity in donating the entire invitation package for The Wedding Pink. Just a little background on Rachael, not only does she offer invitations to her clients, but she is a fabulous wedding and event planner located in Crested Butte, Colorado. If you are considering holding a wedding or event in Crested Butte, I highly recommend you chat with Rachael, www.crestedbutteevents.com/.

Dress shopping at Anna Bé

I had so much fun with Melissa and her friends & Mom dress shopping this past Saturday at Anna Bé Bridal Boutique. She has picked out the perfect dress, it is simply stunning on her. Don't worry, I haven't given it away in any of these photos!

I also would like to take a moment to thank Anna and Breanna from Anna Bé Bridal Boutique for their donation to The Wedding Pink. It is because of the generosity of all of the vendors that this wonderful event is possible.

If you are in Denver and are searching for the perfect wedding dress or accessory, please visit Anna Bé Bridal Boutique. You may find more information about them on their website, http://anna-be.com/.

We have a date for The Wedding Pink.

The Wedding Pink - 2011 will be held on Sunday, April 17 at Mile High Station in Denver, Colorado.

All of the excitement of selecting and announcing Melissa and Jeff as the recipients of The Wedding Pink has calmed down for a bit. In another month or two, we will jump into all of the wedding planning and start scheduling meetings with the vendors. I plan on photographing some of the events so check back for progress updates to the wedding planning.

Melissa and I touched base a couple weeks ago and I think that I am as excited for her wedding as she is!

Introducing the recipients of The Wedding Pink - 2011!

I am thrilled to announce our couple for The Wedding Pink, Melissa and Jeff. I had an opportunity to sit and chat with them the other day and their story is very deserving and heartfelt. You can read their story here.

We are already in the planning process for the wedding which will take place April 2011 in Denver, Colorado. It is certainly going to be a spectacular day for all involved.

Final hours to submit for The Wedding Pink

We are in the final hours of accepting submissions for The Wedding Pink. Next week our panel of judges will review the submissions and select our top 3 finalists.  We will announce the couple that we select here on my blog. Please stay tuned!

On another note, The Wedding Pink has received such a tremendous response from our community that we have decided to make this an annual event. We are looking to hold the 2012 wedding in a Colorado mountain town!

Thank you to everyone who has helped make The Wedding Pink a success!

Final 11 Days to Submit - The Wedding Pink

There are only 11 more days left to submit your story for The Wedding Pink. I would like to take a minute though to thank the couples who have submitted their stories thus far. I am touched with the submissions that I have received, each one heartfelt and deserving.

When I launched The Wedding Pink the one piece that I did not realize is the difficulty we are going to have in selecting only one couple. I truly wish we could give a wedding to everyone.

Please stay tuned to my blog. We look forward to announcing our chosen couple in the next 2-3 weeks!

Todd Reed Jewelry

The other day I received a little box in the mail. Much to my surprise it was a beautiful hand forged and fabricated necklace from Todd Reed, who by the way is my favorite jeweler ever! If you are not familiar with his work, it is definitely worth a peek, www.toddreed.com.

Todd has graciously donated this necklace for the bride who is chosen for The Wedding Pink. A few details about the necklace - 18 karat yellow gold with raw diamond cubes channel set in a circle. Isn't this simply stunning?

I also want to remind everyone that there are only 3 more weeks left to submit your story for The Wedding Pink. Please do not delay, deadline is Friday, August 20!

Sense of Security

I recently heard about this wonderful Colorado based organization called Sense of Security. At the end of the year I will be donating money to this organization in the names of all of the couples whose weddings I have photographed throughout this year.

A little bit of info about them:

They seek to provide a sense of security from financial hardship and enhance the quality of life for breast cancer patients in treatment.

Sense of Security has provided over 1.2 Million Dollars toward housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, COBRA or insurance premiums and other basic living expenses of breast cancer patients in treatment. And they have assisted over 650 Colorado breast cancer patients.

75% of the assistance they have provided has been for housing assistance and groceries. These basic needs have been the top requests from breast cancer patients throughout Sense of Security's existence.

They are proud that so much of their funding goes to ensure that breast cancer patients can stay in their homes and have enough good food to nourish them during their debilitating treatment.

Announcing our wonderful vendors!

It's official. We have our complete team of vendors for The Wedding Pink.

I would like to publicly thank all of them for their contribution to this great event; Mile High Station, Biscuits and Berries, Muse Events, Weddings Etc., The Magnolia Hotel, Mares Video Productions, Kelley Kakes, Fleur Decor, Anna Be Bridal Boutique, CH Studios Custom Clothier, Al's Formal Wear - Cherry Creek, Anne Mansfield, Crested Butte Events, Elements DJ, LesliesArts, Face Effects and Todd Reed Jewelry.

For a complete list of vendors, please visit our details page, /details/

We have a venue!

A prominent Denver venue had graciously agreed to host The Wedding Pink and we are finalizing the details later this week. We hope to announce the venue and some other very cool extras next week. Please check back for this exciting announcement!

The Wedding Pink, a little more info.

Recently I have had some conversations with people about The Wedding Pink and would like to clarify an important detail. The Wedding Pink is open to anyone whose life has been recently effected by breast cancer, whether it be the bride or someone from the bride/groom's family. If you are engaged and fit this criteria we encourage you to submit your story.

On another note, we are close to securing the venue/caterer. I hope to announce this exciting news here any day now. Please stay tuned!!

The Wedding Pink - Now accepting submissions nationally.

Recently I have had several inquiries from brides-to-be that are not Colorado residents. We have officially opened up submissions nationwide. A few things to keep in mind though, The Wedding Pink will take place in or near Denver, Colorado and the chosen couple will have to travel here for the dress shopping, the dress fitting and the engagement session etc.

If breast cancer has recently touched your life and you are engaged, we encourage you to submit your story for an amazing wedding give away. We look forward to hearing from you.

Amazing team of Colorado wedding vendors

My team of Colorado wedding vendors is coming together very nicely. So far, we have an incredibly talented group of people that will all be working together to make The Wedding Pink a success.

I am happy to introduce the two wedding planners, TC Decker of Muse Events and Tanya Porter of Weddings, Etc.

Also, I am thrilled to have Anna Be on board, they will be donating a beautiful wedding gown.

Over time, I will be announcing the other vendors joining our team.

We have officially launched!

The response has been tremendous. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to peek at my site and email wonderful comments. I already received a submission for The Wedding Pink, simply amazing. The young women's story is even more inspiring. Looking forward to being able to share some of the heartfelt stories.

On another note, we are considering opening up submissions nationwide for The Wedding Pink. Would love to hear your thoughts on this, please comment below.

Touching Response

I have yet to officially announce Cheryl Ungar Gives, but I have told a few clients and friends. So far, I am touched by the response and feedback that I have had.

I would like to share a recent story. I had an opportunity to reconnect with a client of mine who needed an updated portrait and I happily agreed to stop by his office to catch up, chit chat and take a few quick snaps. In conversation, I mentioned Cheryl Ungar Gives and he to was touched by what I was doing. Fast forward a week later and come to find out he made a donation in my name not only to the Young Survivors Coalition but also the Denver chapter of the Susan B. Komen Foundation.

His generousity is overwhelming and greatly appreciated.

Thank you Kevin Yoshida of Braun Yoshida Architects!

And, here is the portrait I took of Kevin that day...

Exciting week at Cheryl Ungar Gives

I have made a lot of progress, finished up with the Tuberculosis tests and my volunteer orientation. I am official now with my badge and smock! Training should begin next week and I am so looking forward to it.

In regards to The Wedding Pink, we are close to securing our venue. Please keep your fingers crossed as we are just patiently waiting for the final OK from the corporate offices. You will be the first to know as I will announce it here as soon as I can.

Almost there!

One round of tuberculosis tests down and one to go! Second set of TB tests are next week, as is my volunteer orientation with St. Joseph's Hospital. My training should be starting soon (I hope).

Things are progressing smoothly, but I'm so excited and eager to start my volunteer shifts that it feels like time moving in slow motion. I hope the training happens quickly so I can get on the floor and start visiting with patients. I'll keep you posted!