A Beautiful "How They Met" Story

With the number of events that we host at the Hotel throughout the year, we tend to create special bonds with our guests during the planning process. Some of the most special stories we hear are those of how couples who are getting married at the Hotel met.

One of our Catering Sales Managers, Alaina Ferriero, shared the following story with me after we hosted a small wedding over Valentine’s Day weekend:

Sue and George met the day after Thanksgiving in 2007. Both were mourning the loss of their significant others, Sue’s husband Richie having passed on December 6, 2004, and George’s wife Marie having passed on December 7, 2006. The two saw each other at the cemetery every Friday, until one day George asked Sue if she would join him for coffee. Sue wasn’t ready, and so she offered him her business card and the possibility of someday. George sent her roses, letting her know that he understood what she was going through, and wanted to be there for her as a friend.

They continued to see each other every Friday at the cemetery. Both felt that Richie and Marie were bringing them together in this unique way, and eventually their friendship blossomed into love. After attending the graduation party for a friend’s daughter, Sue came to Alaina and they booked the wedding. Alaina helped her plan her pink fairy-tale wedding, complete with an elegant pink dress and a pink candy station.

For George, who had been in the Army with Elvis quite some time ago, they booked an Elvis impersonator. This was such fun for everyone!

Sue’s mother, Ann, who is 88 years old, walked her down the aisle, making an already special wedding day all the more so.

Sue and her mother, Ann

When Alaina wrote to tell me the story, she said:

“This was a very special couple to me. I had to come in this weekend on my one day off just to see their faces as she walked down the aisle. I could not miss it! This story, this couple, these two wonderful people that we have made so incredibly happy—is why I love my job.”

Here are some more photos, with many thanks to our mutual friend, Jacquie Valatka, for these following photos:

George and Sue enjoy a toast:

 A family photo:

 The favors:

 The first bite of cake:

 The first dance:

 The flowers:

 The Ballroom set up for ceremony and reception.

 The first introduction as husband and wife.

 Mom walking her daughter, Susan, down the "aisle".

 The Groom awaits his lovely bride:

Awesome Pink Candy Station

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful story.

Juli