Written By Curator: Erin Martin - Owner, ECBG Cake Studio:

What do you do when the world is crashing down around you? You give away a wedding to a couple in need, DUH!

That is exactly what we did in 2020 when the number of heartbroken engaged couples grew and grew as the number of covid cases grew and grew. Weddings were being canceled and rescheduled and postponed left and right and we had to do something!

Lead and coordinated by Laura, Owner of Fierce Productions, a group of vendors came together to give a safe micro wedding to a couple in need. Laura orchestrated an Instagram give-away and I cannot wait to introduce you to our winners, Jess and Salena.

Here I talk with Laura about the whole event and the absolutely incredible couple!

1) What was the inspiration and motivation for doing a wedding give away?

2020 was incredibly hard for our industry and for front line workers. Our industry, because we weren't able to work and many of us felt lost. Front line workers because they had to work and put themselves at risk for the greater good. As a business owner I felt totally out of control. There was a good 2 weeks where I just cried thinking my business was over. After that 2 weeks I pulled my shit together and told myself not to give up. I realized that this was entirely out of my control. And so, instead of holding on to control I decided to surrender and be in service. I really wanted to produce a wedding again - I mean we do this because we really love it. I really wanted to do something for the community. And so I called a couple of my friend-ors and asked them if they would like to join me and create a giveaway wedding for a couple who really deserved it!

2) How was the couple chosen?

The giveaway was over Instagram. We asked people to nominate a HERO who was engaged and wanted to have a giveaway wedding! Someone who was a bad ass during the lock down. A front line worker, an ally. Several people entered their friends who were HEROs. We entered all of the entries into a spreadsheet with their stories. We were overwhelmed with all of the amazing stories. Once we hit the deadline for the giveaway we had all of the vendors vote for one of the HEROs. Salena was our winning hero. She was engaged to Jess before the pandemic and wanted to have a wedding but it got postponed. Salena was a frontline worker who works with autistic children.

3) What were the most memorable details and moments?

Jess and Salena's first dance (which we had immediately after their vows during the ceremony since this was a mini wedding) was to Adele. Everyone was bawling. I don't think I've ever cried so hard at a wedding in my life. Jess and Salena looked like Goddesses! Their dresses were stunning. The Wicker Park Inn hosted us in their intimate backyard. Leelee's Garden provided flowers. It was very English Garden...very Bridgerton actually!

4) How does this project align with your personal/business values

Before I started Fierce, I knew I wanted to do something that gave back to the arts and the LGBTQ+ community. I come from theater. Theater saved my life. It meant everything to me. During my time as a performer, I became friends with so many different kinds of people. I learned a lot about inclusivity from the Chicago Theater scene. I thought about starting a non-profit theater company but I realized that there are so many non-profits and organizations that need help- it would be better to use my resources to support them. So, when I started my business the plan from day one was to give back to the community. Since we started 4 years ago we have given back 10% of our sales every pride month in June to an LGBTQ+ organization. We are always looking for ways to get involved with non-profits like theaters and LGBTQ+ organizations whether it's to donate or offer our services for an upcoming event. When the pandemic hit it was really hard to give back financially so giving away our time and being in service to someone who needed a celebration felt like something that would make an impact! Jess and Salena's story aligned with this mission beautifully and we were thrilled to make their wedding happen!

5) Overall, was the experience successful?

ABSOLUTELY! This wedding is one of my favorite weddings I've ever been a part of. Two people got married during a pandemic, everyone was safe and healthy so yes HUGE SUCCESS!!!

6) If you had to describe the event in a short paragraph what would you say? mood/vibe/atmosphere etc.

Joyful, bright, summery, simple and chic. Everyone was overjoyed, excited, overwhelmed with emotion.

Wedding Pro’s:
Planner, Designer & Curator of Giveaway: Fierce Productions
Venue: Wicker Park Inn
Florist: Leelee’s Garden
Photographer: Golden Hours Photography
Videographer: Matthew Robert Creative
Live Streaming and DJ: Cage and Aquarium
Hair & Makeup: We Only Do Pretty
Caterer for Wedding Day: The Caterist
Caterer for Wedding Breakfast in Bed (day after wedding): Heartfelt Catering
Wedding Cake: ECBG Cake Studio

We Gave Away A Wedding! With ECBG Cake Studio & Fierce Productions!