Delaware County Engagement Photographer | Ridley Creek State Park | Stacy + Jared

It wasn’t very long ago that I was contacted by the organization Wish Upon a Wedding to photograph Jared and Stacy’s wedding. Wish Upon a Wedding is a nonprofit wish granting organization that provides weddings for couples facing terminal illnesses and serious life-altering circumstances. There have only been a handful of these weddings in Philadelphia and there are scores of wedding photographers signed up as members so I was truly humbled to be asked to be a part of this incredible experience.

Stacy and Jared met at a Nascar race. She was there for the race; he was there for the beer. It started raining and Jared’s group was invited to share a tent with Stacy’s group. They started chatting and created something pretty special that day.

I met with Stacy and Jared for their engagement session at Ridley Creek State Park. I learned that she’s a beach girl, living near Atlantic City. Jared, on the other hand, is a total country boy, growing up near Lancaster, PA.

On September 11th, 2008 Jared was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The two have been through a lot together including his surgeries, chemotherapy, and experimental drug treatments. She left shore life to move in with him when he started treatments. Stacy’s father passed away from cancer when she was younger and it has been a cause very close to her heart for years.

3 years ago Jared gave her a snow globe for Christmas with a cancer ribbon in it in memory of her father. They never got it engraved. It was this past Christmas that Jared snuck away with the glob and finally knew what to put on it: “Will you Marry me? Yes or no?”. He gave it to her Christmas Eve with a ring. The answer was very clearly “yes!”.

Wish Upon a Wedding will be granting Stacy and Jared’s wedding wish this July and I can’t wait to continue to be a part of this amazing experience.  For more about Stacy and Jared’s incredible story, check out Blossom Productions‘ love story here.

Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will speak my heart.
~ Robert Sexton