Wedded to a cause

COEUR d'ALENE - Misty Ceriello, president and founder of PreVeiled, has the vision and the heart to help make matrimony miracles.

Ceriello moved to Post Falls from Colorado three years ago. That was when she first realized the Inland Northwest lacked an organization that could make wedding dreams come true for people who couldn't do it for themselves. Her heart led her to create PreVeiled, a nonprofit wish-granting organization that works with professionals such as florists, photographers, bakers and more to coordinate weddings and generate joy for those facing life-altering circumstances.

"We are that distraction and that good thing that happens in their life," Ceriello said.

PreVeiled board members select those they help on a case-by-case basis. The case currently in progress is 19-year-old Ashlee Jensen of Spokane Valley. Jensen has stage-three peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare cancer. She and her longtime boyfriend recently became engaged, but the plans have been put on hold because of health and financial struggles. Ceriello said working a case such as Jensen's can be bittersweet.

"She has been amazing being our poster bride, but she's always so supportive in telling her story," she said.

Ceriello has been active in the wedding industry for several years. She is the founder and CEO of Cameo Events, is a nationally accredited wedding and event planner and really enjoys giving back to the community.

"It is very rewarding to get to do a career that you're passionate about," she said.

PreVeiled has had several wedding requests. Ceriello said cases can range from limb loss due to military activity to extreme illness, but they don't have to be terminal. Ceriello, who has been happily married for 12 years, wants to help others experience the same bliss she did on her wedding day.

"The day of our marriage was the best day of our life," she said. "That's part of it. I married my soulmate. I'm so blessed to have someone who loves and supports me and vice-versa."

Ceriello and another PreVeiled member will be present Thursday at the sixth-annual Inland Northwest Bride Expo taking place from 4-7:30 p.m. at the Hagadone Event Center, located at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.

Info: www.preveiled.com.