Bride: Kristen Debandt, 27
Groom: Rory Wheeler, 27
Hometown: Troy, MI
How We Met: We met through Kristen's brother, whose girlfriend, Amy, has been good friends with Rory for a few years. Our instant connection was undeniable.
Our Dream Wedding: Our dream wedding is one where we are surrounded by our friends and family. A wedding that is intimate, exciting and full of romance and fun.
Obstacles We Overcame: Last December, Rory was diagnosed with a rare form of sarcoma cancer called Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor. Only a couple hundred people are dianosed with it yearly. He began to have abdominal pains at the end of November and doctors at the University of Michigan finally diagnosed him after numerous scans and biopsies. We are currently staying in New York City at Sloan-Kettering Hospital because that is the only place doctors know how to treat this. Rory just had surgery on July 8 to remove the tumors and we are now waiting for him to get a trial drug. This cancer only has a 20 percent survival rate.
Our Favorite Celeb Wedding: Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O'Connell's because the style of their wedding was very down to earth, but still classy and elegant.
Why You Should Pick Us: I, Kristen, want to give Rory the party of his life. When I think of everything he has been through I want him to get the biggest celebration in honor of his new lease on life and for our new life together. Rory loves life and he loves people and what better way to celebrate his love for life and our love that we share than a dream wedding?
