This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on February 11th, 2015 on how to grant wedding wishes to deserving couple with president Ali Phillips. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

Wish Upon a Wedding was created to celebrate the love between couples who are engaged or want to celebrate their marriage in an intimate setting with their closest family and friends. With help from wedding and event industry professionals, Wish Upon a Wedding grants wedding “wishes” to couples in need.

Wish Upon a Wedding is proud to grant wedding Wishes to deserving couples. Through donations provided by generous wedding industry vendors, and monetary donations from our supporters, we are able to bring hope and happiness to couples facing terminal illness across all 50 states.

See more information at www.wishuponawedding.org

Q1: How did you get involved with the wedding market?

Answer

Ali Phillips: I have been a wedding for 12 years and came via the trucking industry of all things!

Q2: What is @WishUponWedding?  

Answer

Ali Phillips: @Wishuponwedding grants weddings and vow renewals for couples facing serious illness or a life-altering circumstance.

Q3: How did you get involved with @WishUponWedding?

Answer

Ali Phillips: The Founder, Liz Guthrie and Past President @sparkliatti invited me to open a Chicago chapter. From there, I joined the National board 2 years later.

Q4: How did @WishUponWedding begin?

Answer

Ali Phillips: Liz believed no two people in love should be denied the chance to marry their soul mate, regardless of a serious illness or life-altering circumstance.

Q5: How can wedding pros become involved with @WishUponWedding?

Answer

Ali Phillips: Sign up to be a wish granter on our site, join a national committee, join as a chapter board member or host a third party fundraiser.

Q6: How does a couple apply for a wedding or vow renewal?  

Answer

Ali Phillips: Online on our website at www.wishuponawedding.org

Q7: How does a couple qualify to have a wedding or vow renewal?

Answer

Ali Phillips: They have been diagnosed with a serious illness with less than 5 years to live or have a life-altering circumstance.

Q8: What is the difference between a classic wish and a urgent wish?

Answer

Ali Phillips: A Classic wish has up to 50 guests. An urgent wish has up to 25 guests.

Q9: What does a typical wish for a wedding or vow renewal include?

Answer

Ali Phillips: A venue, wedding planner, ceremony, reception, flowers, photographer, videographer, invitations, music and cake.

Q10: What are some of most memorable couples that @WishUponWedding has granted wishes too?

Answer

Ali Phillips: Every couple is so special and unique. We have granted 80 wishes to-date since @WishUponWedding started. We have 6 more wishes between now and June.

Q11: How can wedding pros or groups hold a fundraiser for @WishUponWedding?

Answer

Ali Phillips: There is an area on our site with how to sign up and information http://wishuponawedding.org/how-to-help/fundraiser/

Q12: Now Brides & Bridal Shops can donate bridal gowns to @bridesforacause to support @WishUponWedding?

Answer

Ali Phillips: Yes, Brides for a Cause raises money for @WishUponWedding by reselling donated wedding dresses.  Learn more at www.bridesforacause.com

@JulieAlbaugh What’s the process for donating dresses to @BridesForACause?

Brides For A Cause:  We are accepting wedding dresses 2008 & newer. There’s a form online at http://www.bridesforacause.com  .

Q13: Now @WishUponWedding is a nonprofit organization that is made up with a board of volunteers?  

Answer

Ali Phillips: Yes, on the National and Local level, we all volunteer our time. It is so rewarding to help these couples in need.

Q14: Now is @WishUponWedding in all fifty states?   

Answer

Ali Phillips: We do grant wedding wishes in all 50 states. We have 10 local chapters that cover all the 50 states.

Q15: What are other ways that the #weddingmarket can help @WishUponWedding?

Answer

Ali Phillips: We really love getting the word out in the industry to those who want to volunteer their time as board members or wish granters.

Q16: How can the wedding market and individuals help refer couples that fit the requirements of @WishUponWedding?

Answer

Ali Phillips: They can refer couples to our website http://wishuponawedding.org/how-to-help/

Q17: How do you work with doctors and hospitals?

Answer

Ali Phillips: Our National Outreach chair & Outreach Committee are always introducing us to new hospitals and Drs to get the word out.

Q18: How can wedding couples donate to @WishUponWedding?

Answer

Ali Phillips: They can donate in lieu of a favor here online http://wishuponawedding.org/how-to-help/donate/

Q19: What would you like everyone to take from this #WeddingMarket Chat?

Answer

Ali Phillips: We are here to help as many couples as we can. If you know anyone in need, please send them to our site to review our wish information.

#WeddingMarket Questions From Twitter:

1. @danieladegrassi  Does @WishUponWedding work internationally as well or only through USA?

Wish Upon A Wedding:  Great question at this time we are only located in the US.

@danieladegrassi Do you foresee collaborations with international partners in the future?

Wish Upon A Wedding: We’re working on our long term growth strategy this hasn’t been determined just yet please keep in touch.

2. @DreamyWeddingSK How can international planners get involved?

Wish Upon A Wedding: At this time we’re focused on servicing the US but hopefully one day we could be international.

3. @BridalBalance  @WishUponWedding Is there a chapter in every state?

Wish Upon A Wedding: We have 10 chapters The great news is we grant wishes in ALL 50 states using wish ambassador program. Currently we have 10 chapters STL, Chi, Indy, colorado, LA, vegas, phily, ny, michigan, Nor Cal.

4. @BridalBalance What’s the wish ambassador program?

Wish Upon A Wedding:  The program allows wedding pros tin areas where we don’t have a chapter help grant a wish in their area.

 5. @BridalBalance How can we help, volunteer or become a member if we’re in a
non-chapter state?

Wish Upon A Wedding:   We have national committees who need members as well as our national board or sign up to be a wish ambassador. Under the How to help section you will find a lot of info or you can always DM us for more info!

6. @prettyentertain   How are new chapters formed?

Wish Upon A Wedding:  Good question we are constantly re-evaluating the need for add~l chapters based on demand for wishes.

7. ‏@BridalBalance Do you work with other non-profits?

Wish Upon A Wedding:  We continually try to partner with other Nonprofits to help cross promote.  Do you have any suggestions?

@BridalBalance: Of course, the big ones like Cancer Society or Komen- but there are also small local ones.

8. @danieladegrassi  Can we help featuring @WishUponWedding work in our own blogs with interviews?

Wish Upon A Wedding:  We would love to have you DM us and discuss further!