Your Downtown Dose of Daily Positivity 

Today’s Small Win story comes from Hillis & Company, an event planning and design business located in the Haymarket:

“The special event and floral design industry is normally one of celebration and happy times, so the disappointment of the many postponements and cancellations has been tough to swallow during these trying times. There have, however, been some heartwarming experiences along the way which keep us hopeful and productive.

Last week, Hillis & Company in Lincoln’s Haymarket district had the pleasure of witnessing Eli and Emma Stewart find creative ways to celebrate their wedding day, even as their eight months of planning unraveled at the last minute due to the 10-person limit imposed by the Covid-19 virus. As Eli so eloquently said, “a wedding is a day, but a marriage is a lifetime.” Eli and Emma made the decision to get married on their original wedding date, and had the heart wrenching task of letting their guests and family know that they would have to watch the stream on Facebook.

Since the flowers for the event that had been planned for 250 guests (and all that entails) had already shipped, our designers set out to create the bridal bouquet of Emma’s dreams, as well as a few abundant table arrangements for the intimate gathering. The bride and groom were delighted, and at least this one small detail that we could control would be in keeping with their original vision.

As an added surprise, countless friends and family members from near and far, parked along the neighboring streets to honk, spread love, and cheer on the newlyweds as they drove away from their ceremony. They waved handmade signs and banners and threw rice at the car letting the beaming couple know they are not alone. This heartwarming gesture helped to make the day one the couple would never forget – different than planned, but no less special or memorable.

We are in the business of making memories and celebrating life’s best moments, and this event proves that with creative thinking and flexibility, there is always a way to pull off a magical moment!”

- Mike Hillis, Hillis & Company