Heart Transplant Recipient Bride Marries Her Groom
“She didn’t just fight for A Day. She didn’t fight for any day. She fought for TODAY.” Our bride Olivia is a fighter, and her groom Jacob has been in her corner every step of the way. Their Tutwiler hotel wedding day was hands down the most emotional day we’ve captured in a long time.
You see, Olivia and Jacob started planning their wedding day three years ago, but plans had to be put on hold as she lay in the CICU, fighting for her life. Each day, Jacob was right there beside her. Two years ago, she received a life-saving heart transplant. Thanks to that transplant, she was able to pick back up and plan the day of her dreams to her best friend, and asked us to be a part of it.
Birmingham Wedding Video
I can’t say how honored we are to tell their story, and help her share her passion of organ donation. To add to the intensity of the day, their wedding was March 14, the weekend before our state shut down and amidst a world that was beginning to panic as a pandemic took over our lives. However, there wasn’t any panic here. While cautious for Olivia’s safety, we celebrated! Their Tutwiler hotel wedding was a classic, timeless affair. We celebrated their relationship, their new journey of marriage, and of course, Olivia’s life.
When we sat down for coffee a few weeks before the wedding, I asked Olivia and Jacob…how much do you want us to focus on this part of your story? To this day her answer shows her humilty and grace, as well as Jacob’s unwavering admiration and support for his bride..She said she doesn’t always want the attention that has been put on her with her transplant, but she understands how her story could be encouraging for those in similar situations–waiting for their life saving gift.. They believe she was given a second chance–and it’s a life she is living as normally as possible–but she felt like telling their story would be an opportunity to also honor the life of her donor, while encouraging others to consider becoming organ donors.
The Importance of Organ Donation
In light of this, we’re taking this opportunity to promote a cause she is championing right now. Alabama is considering producing a Donate Life License plate, with proceeds from the tag purchase going toward Legacy of Hope, Alabama’s organ donation center. HERE IS WHERE YOU COME IN.
From Olivia: 75 more tag commitments needed for production! August 31st deadline. Let me reiterate that it does not matter when your current tag renews, if it just renewed last month, etc. When you commit at the link below you will get emailed instructions when your donate life tag is ready!
https://precommit.mvtrip.alabama.gov/UserCommit/Index
Please share this film and encourage your friends to consider pre-committing to the Donate Life tag. Who knows? Maybe Olivia and Jacob’s story will encourage someone to add “organ donor” to their license. Maybe it will reach the person waiting for their transplant. That is our hope!
Birmingham Wedding Vendors
Planning & Design | Becky’s Brides
Venue | The Tutwiler Hotel
Cinematographer | Megan Pettus Videography
Photographer | Eric & Jamie Photography
Beauty | Rawwbeauty
Rentals | Decor to Adore
Entertainment | WellDunn Entertainment
Bridal Gown | Bella’s Bridal & Formal
Catering | Kathy G & Co.
Florals | Kathy Miller Flowers
Officiant | Jim Murrell
