Real Wedding North CarolinaPlanner: Veronica Foster, AWP™, Behind the Scenes, Inc., www.behindthescenesinc.com, veronica@behindthescenesinc.com Photographer: Michael A. Anderson PhotographyLength of time in industry: 14 yearsBusinesses involved: Rumbling Bald Resort; Promised Hearts, Inc.; David Fanetti—Cakes & Cupcakes; Patti Fanetti—Flowers; Firehouse DJ Co.Wedding date: April 16, 2016Guest count: 110The couple: Lauren and Tyler met online in 2015. After talking online and over the phone for weeks, they met in the beginning of May. Their first date was a late snack at Ihop. They have been inseparable ever since.Involvement: Partial consultation and day-of coordinationInspiration: The inspiration for the wedding details was centered on the couple's likes. Lauren used to bartend and loved the different glasses for each drink. Tyler is from the beach, so the closest and coolest location for the day, temperature-wise, was a lake in the mountains. They both love fishing. Tyler prefers deep sea fishing, whereas Lauren loves lake fishing.“Aha” design moment: While there wasn’t a “theme,” the couple settled on the lake for their inspiration since they both love water. They chose the mountains, because it is cooler there than at the beach. Tyler has prosthetic legs, so the cooler temperatures allow him to be comfortable.Most unique design element: Love and honor were design elements. The families were beautiful, inside and out, and you could feel the love. The day also honored service men. There was a gentleman who gave Lauren and Tyler a U.S. flag that his wife had hand sewn from fallen soldiers’ parachutes. There were many speeches honoring soldiers and uniforms were worn by all who served.Color palette: Coral and other pastelsBudget: $8,000Staff hours: FourPlanning time: Four monthsNumber of meetings: There were no face-to-face planning meetings, but there were numerous emails and phone calls.Set up/strike details: This wedding was done near Asheville, N.C., so it involved about three and a half hours from me, six hours from Pam DuVal at Promised Hearts, Inc., and two hours from those at the bride’s home. Everything was coordinated off site and then put together onsite.Revenue breakdown: 100% consultation and day-of coordinationBiggest challenge: The biggest challenge was the distance and the fact that I was going through radiation treatments during the planning process, but the bride was kind enough to communicate via email for a time period.Learnings: This wedding was volunteer for me because of the situation of the couple, and I was never more honored to work a wedding. Lauren allowed me to get back in the saddle of doing weddings and allowed me to see again why I love weddings so much. Not just because they are pretty and fun to detail, but because of the love that comes together in them. And I’ll be sure to keep in mind all aspects of the day going forward, not just how pretty everything looks, but to make sure that every guest leaves with a memory of the wedding day, and not just a wedding favor.