By Bill Parry
Gwen Redman’s dream came true April 19. She renewed her vows with her husband William, 25 years after they eloped, in an extravagant celebration made possible through donations from businesses and vendors, and the help of a childhood friend.
“It was a fairy tale come true. I’m still in awe of what went on that day,” Redman said as she waited for her latest radiation treatment. She is battling breast cancer for the second time in 15 years, having already had a mastectomy as well as a liver transplant in 2014.
The lack of funds as a result of medical bills and other expenses had prevented the LeFrak City couple from envisioning how to make the special day a reality. That’s when former high school classmate Stephanie Richardson got involved, using her experience as an event planner to arrange for the couple’s big day.
Over the next several months, Richardson sent over 2,000 emails to everyone she could think of – from Bill Gates to Oprah Winfrey. She shared Gwen’s story with anyone who would listen, knowing that it would be a powerful tool for recruiting donors.
The first yes came from Kleinfeld Bridals who “gifted” a pink wedding gown. The Foundry donated its huge event space, a favorite for weddings, at 42-38 Ninth St. in Long Island City. Soon Richardson had lined up a caterer, a DJ, a photographer and a celebrant. Others followed for the invitations, flowers, rings and tuxedos.
The entire event for 80 friends and family members was free, and a surprise to Gwen.
“My family didn’t say a word about it,” she said. “Stephanie told me she was throwing a birthday party for herself. When I saw that big white Bentley pull up, I should have known.”
Richardson was pleasantly surprised that the “fantasy wedding” remained a secret. “I was afraid the Bentley was a dead giveaway,” she said. “It was all so beautiful, I couldn’t have picked a better day, the whole ambience was wonderful. Gwen was having the time of her life, occasionally breaking down and shedding tears of joy, and William is usually a quiet, reserved guy, but you couldn’t get him off that dance floor.”
After all the hardships and health struggles, the couple, who met while working at the Flushing Post Office, finally lived their dream.
“Gwen has been literally fighting for her life every day for years, just to be able to wake up the next day to live, love and laugh,” Richardson said. “We will be forever grateful to the countless people who helped make her wish come true, and enabled us to give this day to her, her husband and to their families.”
Gwen was still laughing about it weeks later, as she was waiting for more treatment.
“Knowing everything I’ve been through over the years, it was really magical,” she said. “Stephanie did such a wonderful job making me feel like a princess.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
