A touching vow renewal made possible by Wish Upon a Wedding and creative styling by Tara Donato celebrates resilience, joy, and heartfelt community support.
A Love Worth Fighting For
Wish Upon a Wedding Grants a Meaningful Vow Renewal for Terrell & Nanika
Some love stories are written in the stars, destined to come full circle in the most beautiful ways. For Terrell and Nanika, their journey began in high school, where fate—and a little persistence—set the foundation for a lifetime of love.
“Nanika used to walk with her younger sister to class, and I had a class with her sister. She didn’t like me and told me to stay away from her. I didn’t listen. Every time I saw Nanika, I’d tell her sister, ‘She’s going to be my wife, and we’re going to have a lot of babies.’”
True to his word, their love withstood the test of time, distance, and sacrifice. Their first wedding was a quiet moment of commitment, just before Terrell deployed to Iraq.
“It meant so much to us because we got married right before I deployed. I didn’t want her to be left out if something happened to me. So we went to the Justice of the Peace, got married, and I was back on the plane to California.”
Together, they built a life grounded in faith, resilience, and unwavering love—raising a family and weathering life’s many storms. But like many couples whose union began under the pressures of military service, they held on to the dream of one day having a true wedding celebration.
That dream became a reality through Wish Upon a Wedding, a nonprofit that grants weddings and vow renewals to couples facing terminal illness or life-altering health challenges. When Terrell and Nanika were selected for a Wish Wedding, they were overwhelmed with gratitude.
“We thank Wish Upon a Wedding for all their blessings. It gave us the opportunity to have a wedding and vow renewal with our kids and granddaughter. That meant everything to us.”
Planning a wedding can be daunting, but for couples facing health challenges, it can feel impossible. Wish Upon a Wedding brings together a generous community of wedding professionals who donate their time and talents to create a joyful, stress-free experience.
For Terrell and Nanika, Tara Donato of Tara Donato Weddings & Events led the way—curating every detail to reflect their love story with warmth and care.
“Nanika let me take the lead on this, but I left it to our awesome wedding planner, Tara. That decision helped us relax, so we didn’t have too many expectations. We were surprised like everyone else on the day of the wedding.”
The result was a breathtaking vow renewal filled with heartfelt moments, laughter, and the people they cherish most. It wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a celebration of their journey, their growth, and the love that has carried them through.
As Terrell and Nanika stood hand in hand, reaffirming their vows, their story became a testament not only to enduring love but also to faith and perseverance.
“Put God first, and if you truly want it, you have to fight for it. It may not come easy, but you will be blessed in the end.”
Their story is a reminder that love—real, lasting love—is worth fighting for. Thanks to Wish Upon a Wedding, Terrell and Nanika finally received the celebration they had long dreamed of—a day filled with love, legacy, and light.
The Gift of a Wedding
How Wish Upon a Wedding and Local Vendors Came Together to Grant a Couple’s Dream Celebration
For couples facing terminal illness or life-altering health challenges, planning a wedding can feel overwhelming—if not impossible. That’s where Wish Upon a Wedding steps in, granting weddings and vow renewals to couples in need, allowing them to experience a day filled with love, joy, and celebration rather than stress and uncertainty.
When wedding planner Tara Donato of Tara Donato Weddings & Events learned about Wish Upon a Wedding, she knew she had to be a part of it. As a veteran herself, she felt an immediate connection when contacted about planning a wish wedding for Terrell and Nanika.
“The moment I learned that Terrell was also a veteran, my answer was an immediate yes.”
A Community of Generosity
Planning this event required many moving parts. With Wish Upon a Wedding, vendors and venues donate their services entirely, meaning every detail of the wedding is a gift of love and generosity.
“Every vendor involved said yes without hesitation,” Tara shared. “Some even offered to step in as backups, just in case. It was heartwarming to witness such an outpouring of support—not only from local vendors but also from those out of state. We had contributors from Washington and Florida as well.”
From securing the venue and photography to florals, catering, and entertainment, every element was carefully crafted to ensure Terrell and Nanika could experience the wedding they never had—this time, with their children and granddaughter by their side.
A Wedding Unlike Any Other
While every wedding is special, wish weddings carry a unique emotional weight. The day was filled with deep meaning—not just for the couple, but for everyone involved.
“On the day of the event, every single vendor went above and beyond. I knew they would, but seeing it unfold was deeply moving—I had to hold back tears multiple times.”
As Terrell and Nanika walked into their beautifully designed ceremony, the love and gratitude in the room were tangible. The space was filled with elegant florals, meaningful details, and intimate moments that reflected their love story and journey together.
“It’s always an incredible feeling to design and plan a wedding, but watching this particular event come together was something truly special,” Tara said.
The Impact of Wish Upon a Wedding
Beyond the beauty of the day, Wish Upon a Wedding provides something far greater: peace of mind. By lifting the financial and logistical burden, the organization allows couples to focus on what truly matters—love, family, and the memories they create together.
“As wedding professionals, we are in the business of creating unforgettable moments of love. Who better to give back in this way than us?” Tara said. “In a city like Las Vegas, where weddings often come with a high price tag, giving couples this opportunity is even more meaningful.”
For Terrell and Nanika, their wedding was a dream realized, and for the vendors who contributed, it was a reminder of why they do what they do.
How Wedding Vendors Can Get Involved
Wish Upon a Wedding is always looking for generous vendors, venues, and planners to step up as wish granters. By donating their time and services, wedding professionals can give couples facing unimaginable circumstances a chance to celebrate love and commitment.
If you’re in the industry and want to make a difference, visit Wish Upon a Wedding or reach out directly.
Contact:
Wish Upon A Wedding
Contact: Megan Biehl
Instagram: @wishuponawedding
Email: wishes@wishuponawedding.org
Vendors:
Planner & Designer: Tara Donato
Instagram: @taradonato.weddingsandevents
Email: info@taradonato.co
Phone: 757.969.7539
Associate Planner & Content Creator: Rochelle
Instagram: @mycherrehamore
Email: cherrehevents@gmail.com
Venue: Adorn Events – Chelsea Davis
Instagram: @adorneventslv
Email: info@adornevents.net
Caterer: Cut and Taste Catering – Chris Gilmore
Instagram: @cutandtastefood
Email: chris@cutlv.com
Photographer: Karissa Russ Photography
Instagram: @karissaruss.co
Email: info@karissarus.com
Videographer: The Video Chef – Christian Chico
Instagram: @thevideochef.lv
Email: thevideocheflv@gmail.com
DJ: DJ MoBlvd
Instagram: @djmoblvd
Email: djmoblvd@gmail.com
Ceremony Music: Lucky Devils Band – Pianist AJ Braman
Instagram: @luckydevilsband
Email: aaron@luckydevilsband.com
Bride’s Dress: May Bartolini
Instagram: @may_bartolini
Email: may8bartolini@gmail.com
Bride’s Makeup: Makeup in the 702 – Artist: Alexx
Instagram: @makeupinthe702
Email: megan@makeupinthe702.com
Hair (Bride & Bridesmaids): Angie
Instagram: @bewitched_by_angie
Email: info@bewitchedbyangie.com
Tux: Generation Tux
Instagram: @generationtux
Works directly with Wish Upon A Wedding
Mocktails: Mixxie Mixologist – Jahlisa
Instagram: @mixxiemixologist
Email: bookus@mixxiemixologist.com
Cake: Rolling in Dough Bakery – Alexis Pascual
Instagram: @rollingindoughbakerylv
Email: alexis@rollingdoughbakerlv.com
Ice Cream Cart: Funky Frostwich – Leena Cosgrove
Instagram: @funky_frostwich
Email: leena@funkyfrostwich.com
Behind the Scenes Content: Chester Marc Photography – Chester Capistrano
Instagram: @chestermarc
Email: chestermarcphoto@gmail.com
Photo Booth & Audio Guest Book: Bossy Booths – Zoie Sevilla
Instagram: @bossybooths_lv
Email: info@bossybooths.com
Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Petals: Blossoms by Angie
Instagram: @blossomsbyangie
Email: blossomsbyangie@gmail.com
Ceremony & Reception Florals: Sarasponda Florals – Sarah Scow
Instagram: @sarasponda_lv
Email: scowcow@gmail.com
Floral Donations: Mellano & Company – Gina Fletcher
Instagram: @mellano_lv, @mellanoandcompany
Email: gfletcher@mellan.com
Drapes: Kimberly
Instagram: @kimberlyellis_2
Email: kimellis247@gmail.com
Balloon Artist: The Balloon Bestie – Melissa Sekkat
Instagram: @balloonbestielv
Email: melissa@balloonbestie.com
Invitations & Thank You Cards: Minted
Instagram: @minted
Works directly with Wish Upon A Wedding
Menu Cards & Welcome Sign: Wildberry Paper Studio – Nicole Dragomir
Instagram: @wildberrypaperstudio
Email: hello@wildberrypaper.com
Linens: Nuage Designs
Instagram: @nuagedesignsinc
Works directly with Wish Upon A Wedding
Kids Table & Stools: Caesar Event Rentals Las Vegas – Uriya Lionov
Instagram: @caesar_event_rentals_lasvegas
Email: vegas@caesarseventusa.com
Chargers, Plates, Flatware: Modern Vintage Rentals – Jessica Ruddy, Lorelei Ruff
Instagram: @modernvintagerentalslv
Email: jessica@modern-vintagerentals.com, lorelei@modern-vintagerentals.com
Kids Play: Keiki Zone – C’era Oliveira-Norris
Instagram: @keikizone
Email: keikizone@outlook.com