The Bedside Bride
Aug 20, 2009 Wedding Planning InstituteNavy Seals are used to overcoming adversity. The wives of Navy Seals are used to sacrificing for their country.
Engaged, but not rushing to the altar, Timothy Schlappi and Lacey Vollentine were content to save their money toward the type of wedding most Certified Wedding Planners are used to planning. During a skydiving exercise last week, fate, and a parked car, intervened.
Timothy, a 13-year Navy veteran with over 800 jumps, had misjudged a turn when landing his parachute, violently hit the car, and broke his heel, neck, and both legs. When Lacey got the news, she jumped on a flight from Virginia to Arizona, bypassed the baggage carousel, and arrived bedside just before her fiancé went in to surgery.
Overcome with the desire to marry each other and not willing to wait until their planned 2010 ceremony, the couple agreed to take the plunge immediately. The only problem was Timothy couldn’t leave his bed. And they were on the other side of the country from their home. Oh, and they didn’t have a wedding license, an officiant, a wedding party, wedding attire, or any of the other “necessities”.
Over the next couple days, everything they needed was pulled together by a determined bride and her new friends at the Maricopa County Medical Center and the Forever Courage House, a home for families of long-term patients.
Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Schlappi
One manager of the family care residence worked through the night to create a two-tier wedding cake. Another manager, a former Marine, arranged for the marriage license to be delivered to the hospital. The medical center made their staff chaplain available to officiate.
In the meantime, Lacey picked up her dress at a local David’s Bridal shop and found a suitable hair stylist nearby. Under orders from the US Navy, a shipmate sourced a Men’s Wearhouse for an appropriate shirt and tie for the groom, with Timothy’s doctor fashioning the knot. The fellow Seal even shaved his friend for the ceremony.
For a total of $400 and a lot of love, the wedding was set and hospital staff was ushered into Timothy’s room. A doctor played Lonestar’s “Amazed” on his cell phone and the chaplain pronounced them husband and wife.
“We may not have had the dream wedding that we wanted, but this far surpasses anything that I could have come up with in my own mind,” said the new Mrs. Schlappi.
“It took all the pain away,” said Mr. Schlappi.
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August 21st, 2009 at 8:26 am
That is so sweet! Good reminder that weddings are about the love and commitment between 2 people.
August 24th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
This is real love!
August 25th, 2009 at 9:53 am
That shows you that marriage isn’t about how much money you spend on a wedding.. it’s about the love you have for each other. It’s nice to see such a heartwarming story about their love.
August 29th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
This is really inspiring. I would love to give away my services to couples facing adversity. I think it is amazing what a few determined people can achieve.
August 30th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
As Wayne Dyer said, “Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” How wonderful of the staff to help them plan their nuptials.
September 4th, 2009 at 5:24 am
How sweet! A true love can do anything and this is the result it.
September 12th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Thank you all for your support! My husband and I are very happy. He does still want to do a formal ceremony. His wish is to stand and say his vows, and share it with our families. I wish you all the best, and once again thank you for your wonderful comments. They lift his spirits every time we read them!
Love,
Lace
September 19th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
It’s so refreshing to see a couple so much in love and not caring about every wedding detail. I can’t imagine the worry and fear I would have if my husband had such a bad accident, but I hope I would be as brave and supportive as Lacey. Best wishes to you both and congrats!
September 19th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
This is a true life fairy tale. I haven’t heard something this sweet in a very long time.
True love is the strongest sense of hope there is
October 21st, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I’m in the process of becoming a wedding planner. This story touched my hearts with a loved on and 4 brothers looking or already in armed forces it shows you the care and possibilities with a little help from others. This is the story type that encourages me every day this is what I want to do, give everyone their dream fairytale of being forever with their loved one through think and thin, though and easy. I wish you both the best wishes!
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:39 pm
This story was really touching to me. This is really true love. The bride took a lot of action. This story is really inspiring. It was so nice that the workers in the hospital and a former marine helped the bride and groom out to have their special day. The thing that touches me is the couple was happy to have their wedding even though it wasn’t want they dreamed of. Lacey is a very supportive person. Best wishes to both of you!
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:51 pm
that was a amazing love story and explains what real love is about this is why I am going to be a certified wedding planning to hear the couples love story and being able to share that with them again love is amazing and that love story you can just feel the love between them
October 25th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
This story is so heartwarming. Even with the obstacles, their day was special.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
This story is so heart warming–It’s really incredible how these two love each other so much! I’m currently becoming a wedding planner and its stories like these that make me fall in love with the job and the couples! Even though this wasn’t part of their dream wedding I’m sure it holds even more love than the wedding they wanted.
November 4th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Wow thats a true love story!!! Its stories like these that reassure me that wedding planning is what I want to do with my life- helping couples make there dreams come true no matter what the circumstances are. I can’t wait to wake up everyday loving my job
November 9th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
This is incredible. It really put into perspective what is important, among all of the hustle and bustle and glitz of weddings. I will always think of this couple when I hear the song “Amazed!” Best wishes to this couple!!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I think it is so amazing when a group of people can come together to help those who need it. This story just shows that a “dream wedding” can happen anywhere!
November 15th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
This was a very heartfelt story. It’s so amazing because of her determination and love, how the resources that she needed came together and made a bad situation into something beautiful that will leave them with lasting memories. I wish this couple well.
November 17th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
My experience in the Wedding Planning Certification Program has taught me to plan ahead, and to anticipate critical thinking on a moments notice. The staff at the hospital were able to think quickly on their feet (on top of their actual work), and provide a memorable and beautiful looking ceremony at Timothy’s bedside. I commend the hospital staff who were able to make a tough situation a beautiful, life changing experience.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
The Wedding Planning Certification Program has been very educational and has definitely got the creative juices flowing. With a story like this, just goes to show how out of the box a wedding planners job can be and to me, that keeps the job exciting and yes above all else we celebrate in couples moment of love.
November 19th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
WOW TOUCHING STORY!!!
November 20th, 2009 at 2:45 am
O what a poignant love story!!
November 21st, 2009 at 4:55 am
Really good story…explains real meaning of wedding that is bond of love and commitment..
November 25th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Really touching story..this is what most people miss in their relationships..love and care
November 29th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Amazing! There are so many caring people out there who are willing to put aside their needs for others.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
talk about determination !!!!! it’s evident that they truly loved each and the people around them felt their love so much so that they wanted to do all they could to make the day special despite the circumstances.
December 13th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
First off, thank your husband for defending his country and serving in Armed Forces. Me, being married to an Air Force man has it’s struggles, but in the end it is the bond you two have with eachother that counts. It touched my heart to read this story and I wish that other people could see that you dont need a huge, extravagant wedding to show how much you love one another. I think that simplicty is always the best way and means more. This is one of the reasons I wanted to become a wedding planner–to leave an impact on someone that I helped.
December 14th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Love is Patient, Love is Kind, Love Never Fails, 1 Corinthians 13 4-8
January 6th, 2010 at 11:29 am
It just goes to show that love makes all things possible, no matter what the adversity. Absolutely beautiful. Kudos to the planner for throwing it all together.
January 10th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
What a lovely story. My son is a Marine stationed in Afghanistan, he is currently working with Navy Seals. Your blog post certainly touched a heart string here. I wish this couple every Blessing in their new life together, they have most certainly earned it! How wonderful that so many people pitched in to do such a kind thing for them!
January 11th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Wow, true love can’t be stopped. Wonderful love story, not only between the couple, but also the love that surrounded them from the planner to everyone who helped them to have a blessed and memorable moment.
January 14th, 2010 at 6:49 pm
I heard from Tolo Events that their are women and groups that are offering free wedding and event planning to WIA veterans in Iraq. I have thought about doing this too. This picture has confirmed it. I dont think these men and women want to feel like they are different or getting special attention. They want to feel normal, beautiful, hopeful and inspired.
Anyone in the northwest interested in forming a group to help this demographic. Non-profit of course.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I think It is very beautiful story.
January 18th, 2010 at 8:42 am
What an amazing story! This is the type of thing that I would have loved to donate my services for, and pull the community together to help out with. Military, hospitalized, or confined to a bed, they all deserve to have a special day that I would love to help some of the pictures they had in their minds of getting married come true. It would be easy to find vendors willing to help/donate their services to make the ceremony special.
January 24th, 2010 at 8:05 am
Their love, the support of those special individuals (old and new friends) and a hospital staffers that went above and beyond their duties. This couple was able to get married. Great Story!
January 24th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
What a wonderful couple, had to of been so very special to of been a part of their day. Stories like this sure show how special planners are to those in love. Many many happy years to them.
January 28th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
What a wonderful story. Best wishes to the couple and thank you to everyone involved to make this dream come true.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:21 pm
This is such a great story!! That’s true love!
February 26th, 2010 at 9:05 am
What a beautiful love story! WPI has taught us to plan ahead & be ready for anything as Wedding Planners. This bride has shown that with determination & a “can do” attitude anything an happen. I’m inspired to donate my services as a Wedding Planner to organizations such as Forever Courage House.