Erin Proud of Proud to Plan put in a TON of work behind the scenes, making sure things flowed smoothly. Thanks Erin! In addition, Synergetic Sounds provided music and lighting, and floral arrangements were done by Beautiful Blooms and MODA Botanica. The gorgeous signage was courtesy of Two Paper Dolls, a table runner was donated by Customized Wedding Creations, and Dave Williams of DVideography filmed the evening.

Big thanks as well go out to The Flour Pot for the PWP cookies and Cakes By Suzy for the PWP cake! Last but not least, we’re very grateful to Philadelphia Magazine for sponsoring this whole project, and for providing the favor bags, and to Nicole Brennan of Lovely Girls Events (Caitlin & Rodney’s wedding planner) for providing signs for the photobook and candles.

Your hard work does not go unnoticed… thank you all for contributing to a lovely evening.

After reading the many entries to this contest, it was VERY difficult to choose a winner. There are so many amazing stories to tell! After many hours of sorting through the entries, we’re very excited to announce that Caitlin & Rodney are our winners!

They have an extraordinary story to tell. Both in the Army, they first met in March 2006, having both recently arrived at their unit, the 9th Engineer Battalion.

Rodney is a combat engineer, and Caitlin is the cook. He will tell you he knew who she was and always thought there was something different and unique about her. She will tell you she remembers him coming in the dining facility for meals (“chow”), in either his uniform or Jack Daniels pajama bottoms. Caitlin describes her impressions of Rodney after they first spent time together with friends. The easiest person to talk to. Genuine. Kind. A true gentleman. Ever since that day they have been inseparable.

After 15 months of deployment in Iraq, and about to embark again for another stretch, Caitlin and Rodney wanted to spend this deployment together. While in training, they married by proxy on September 11, 2008… meaning that, while there was a ceremony, Caitlin & Rodney were unable to be present and someone stood in for each of them!

It’s been a year since then (27 months of deployment!), and while they are still serving overseas, in August of 2010, Caitlin & Rodney will finally have the proper Catholic wedding that they have always wanted. The Philadelphia Wedding Project will be there to tell their story and document the celebration!

Best friends. Soul mates. A courtship worth remembering and a wedding to remember… we cannot wait to celebrate with you!

Your friends at The Philadelphia Wedding Project; Pete Malone, Joy Moody, Jenn Childress, Geoff Horowitz, Ryan Estes and Sofia Negron

We have done just that, and more and more of you have been telling us your stories! As more Business Partners are stepping forward, we are able to offer the winning couple incredible opportunities to work with some of the finest wedding professionals in the area. We are proud to announce that Philadelphia Wedding magazine is now a Sponsor and is lending resources that will enable us to continue to reach out to couples and, ultimately, offer more. As such, we are extending the deadline to submit to October 15, 2009. We will announce our winning couple on October 19, 2009.

For those of you who have already submitted, please hang in there for a few more weeks, we’re almost there. In the meantime, check out some of the Business Partners lining up to offer services to the wining couple!

So………..this is the next chapter in our story. What’s your story?

I’m actually a classically trained chef – a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, I’ve worked for Hyatt Hotels, The Smithsonian and was a partner in a great restaurant and catering business… it’s all I ever wanted to do…

I fell into weddings totally by accident helping straighten out some issues with a caterer for a bride and groom and realized I really liked being on the other side of the event planning I had done my whole life…bonding with a couple and becoming a small part of their story – that was nearly 10 years and over 300 weddings ago.

To the winning couple…..if you choose to work with me I am happy to donate a Modified “Day Of” Package.  You should know that I love the idea behind the Philadelphia Wedding Project, being part of the biggest day in the life of a couple and helping to bring their vision to life. … I’m an honest, no nonsense kinda guy – who also always sees the best in people and the glass half full…what’s your story?

Queen of Hearts Blog – www.QOHweddings.com/blog

The first of our partner vendors to be featured is Suzy Vanhoose of Cakes by Suzy.

Suzy is well known in the Philadelphia area for creating unbelievably unique, beautiful and DELICIOUS cakes!  In fact, Suzy even made the cake for my wedding last year!  It seriously was the best cake I have ever had.  My wife, Dawn and I were planning on saving the top tier (as tradition holds) for our first anniversary.  But, because Suzy’s cake was just so good, we ate it as we literally walked in the door from our honeymoon!

photo by Jenn Childress

Suzy is offering a special on her amazing cakes to the winner of the Philadelphia Wedding Project.  I’ll let her take it from here:

I’m Suzy Vanhoose, of Cakes by Suzy!  I am a cake artist who works from my own licensed/insured kitchen.   I am dedicated to working closely with each customer to make sure that all of your cake dreams come true!   Because I work alone (except my sometimes-delivery-boy husband!), you can always be sure that the person you consult with will be the same person executing your design—me!  All of my cakes are moist and fresh and delicious, as well as the perfect centerpiece for your wedding or other event!

I am really excited about the Philadelphia Wedding Project!   I’ve seen the work of these photographers (and done cakes for some of their weddings) and their work is fabulous.    I can’t wait to find out who the lucky couple will be to get this group to shoot their special day!  In honor of the winning couple, I’m happy to offer a choice of discounts for wedding cake:   The winning bride and groom can either  choose 50% off the regular price of the wedding cake of their choice OR they can choose a free 3D groom’s cake with purchase of a regular priced wedding cake.

Good luck!!!!

Just what does a 3D groom’s cake from Cakes by Suzy look like? Take a look at one of my all-time favorites from one of our weddings last year.

Thank you for your incredible offer, Suzy!

We still want to hear from more of you!  What’s your story?

And just because pictures make everything better, here’s a recent shot of the six of us…