This is big news. Like “pee-your-pants” big news. Like the kind of big news that makes you whisper four letter words under your breath. You know that little ol’ wedding auction non-profit project we started a few years ago called Get Hitched Give Hope? Well, yeah. We just had our 3rd annual event last week, and um, we NAILED IT.

A few fun facts:

  • The Four Seasons Hotel Seattle sponsored the event by providing a SUPER GORGEOUS location and food that I’m still dreaming about. THE FOUR SEASONS!!!! Pinch me.
  • Over 500 attendees came to shop & give
  • Over 100 sponsors donated products & services
  • Over 80 raffle prizes and auction packages were given away
  • The biggest shopper spent $4,105… THAT’S what I call a GIVER!!!
  • The highest live auction item was the gorgeous Tiffany Necklace that went for $2,200. I was totally set on fighting for that one…. dangit.
  • Brides got GREAT deals on wedding services and products, even up to 65% off of the retail value through the silent auction! Hellloooo smart wedding shoppers!!!
  • Amount raised to grant wishes: OVER $64,000 AND COUNTING!!!!!!! That’s right! It’s only November. And I know a few of you who didn’t come, and still want to support the cause (click here to donate)!

It’s been a long & hard road filled with sooo many late nights and sooo much research, but here we are. Our goal this year was to raise $50k. The first two years we hit just under $30k and just under $40k. This year? We hit this one out of the park at $64,000 to grant wishes, and we’re still counting.

Look at all of these GORGEOUS images that our wonderful friends Kim and Adam of La Vie Photography captured!!!!! I literally SCREAMED when I received them from Kim this weekend!!!!

These dresses were just some of the ones that could be won during the auction.

Our emcees, Brook & Kel from MOViN 92.5 and our auctioneer Mark were awesome at helping new bidders learn how to participate in a live auction to get the stuff they wanted to win!

Another one of our beautiful models with makeup by Erin Skipley from Bellatrix and gown & accessories from La Belle Reve.

Look at this amazing hand cut paper by artist Celeste Kooning (hint: you can rent her art for your event!!!!)!

Okay, this next part was so scary. You know that feeling you get when you are planning a party, and all of a sudden, you think no one is going to come? That was me. I donated a lifestyle session that was packaged with personal shopping from Seattle Metropolitan Magazine editor Laura Cassidy and makeup & hair styling by Erin Skipley from Bellatrix Studio. There we were, Laura and I, on stage gripping each other’s hands, hoping and praying that SOMEONE would want us…. and then the bidding began. It was so exciting, I could hardly see- our package went for ABOVE retail value!!!! I had to summon every ounce of strength to keep from jumping off the stage and tackle-hugging our winning bidders. I can’t wait to plan with them– thank you to Heidi and her fiancee!!!! And one of the best parts? The winners of ALL of the live auction items got fresh crisp fancy-pants champagne delivered right to their seats!!!

Brenda from the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation shared what wish-granting means and entails. A wonderful woman named Michelle also shared her own personal story of living with breast cancer. People were giving just to give. It was really really touching to see all of our friends, colleagues, and clients opening their hearts and pocketbooks.

And this. This was the BEST moment of the night. This was when Barbie and Holly-Kate jumped up on stage at the very end to tell everyone our first tally. The room exploded with cheers and dancing while Seattle Parties played the perfectly whimsical Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s “Home.” It was a truly-excitingly-emotionally-blissful-moment to see the celebration and think about all of the final wishes this money would grant. All that hard work paid off. I’m not gonna lie… there were tears, and maybe a few f-bombs. It was really, really exciting.

But wait! There’s more!!!!!!!!!!! Wanna see cute cupcakes, amazing custom cakes, beautiful graphics, amazing florals, crazy cool lighting, those hot new apparition chairs, and read more about what went down?? Check out the full event recap here!!!!!

A huge super big thanks to sooo many wonderful volunteers and sponsors and brides and grooms and friends who believed in our cause and mission. It’s been so wonderful working with all of you over the years, and I’m so proud to be associated with such generous people who really get what life is about. Cheers!!

See you again next year!!!

p.s. if you want to sponsor or volunteer for next year, fill out the application here!!

p.p.s. super thanks again to La Vie Photography for ALL of these wonderful images. Their enthusiasm and eye for fashion are true assets to the organization and we are so proud to have them on our team!!!!