Love is not canceled

Several months ago the national nonprofit, Wish Upon A Wedding, asked Ali Barone, a well-known and respected planner, whose company, Ali Barone events, is headquartered in Warwick, if she would be willing to grant a wish for Patricia Langdale, who is battling cancer, and her husband, Jeremy.

Wish Upon a Wedding grants weddings and vow renewals to couples facing serious illness or life-altering health circumstances.

And on Sunday, Sept. 14, the Warwick couple held a 24-year vow renewal celebration complete with food, live music and even bag pipers at the picturesque Springbrook Farms. The event was attended by just under 50 members of their friends and family

“Getting to know them both and helping Patty have something positive to look forward to,” said Barone, “has been an incredible gift. I came up with the theme and creative direction of ‘Celtic Indian Summer’ after meeting at my office and realizing that they were each one of eight children, born into large Irish American families. They shared a love for Warwick and The Hudson Valley and their wedding anniversary, September 14 was Indian Summer, one of the most beautiful times of year.”

But planning a non- profit event in a time when the events industry is all but shuttered was no easy task. COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines such as temperature checks, wearing masks, being in open air, hand sanitizing stations, and social distancing were all meticulously put into place.

“I called upon many of my personal industry relationships,” she said, “to help pull this wish off and I couldn’t be more grateful. What we love to do most in this world is help people celebrate life and create magical memories they will cherish for a lifetime. We are in the business of love and no matter what is going on in the world today we hope the message is clear that love is not canceled.”

For additional information visit www.alibaroneevents.com.

- Roger Gavan