YPR's 'Big Fat Wedding Party' has it all...

The happy couple: Juliana Garcia and Jay Christie

UPDATE: The numbers are in ... the wedding party brought in $5,985 in contributions and gifts to benefit HALO, Safe Haven, the Women's Resource Center and Bethany Apartments, according to Chris Terry of YPR. Once the bills for the party are paid, YPR also expects to kick in an additional $500 for the party being under budget.

"The turnout was wonderful and everyone had a good time," said Terry (see below for proof).

ORIGINAL POST: It wasn't your everyday wedding party.

Oh, there was the lovely bride, and "Tex," the wealthy groom. Dinner, dancing, the garter toss and a wedding cake.

And also the pregnant bridesmaid, the quickly-sloshed best man, the mother of the bride telling everyone within earshot she wished her daughter had married someone else, "someone more like her brother." Ah, yes, the bride's brother: collecting the gifts and dates for later...

Mother of the Bride helps Best Man get ready

It was all in good fun -- and for a good cause. The Young Professionals of Racine staged the wedding party -- "My Big Fat YPR Wedding" -- as a benefit for HALO, the Bethany House Apartments, Safe Haven of Racine and the Women’s Resource Center. All 200 guests brought wedding gifts, many gaily wrapped, and bid on silent auction items donated by three dozen community sponsors.

Bride greets "family members;" what does groom see?

All the wedding gifts -- the crock pots, toasters, glass sets, appliances, blankets, cash and so on -- and all the proceeds from the silent auction will be distributed to the four recipient agencies on Friday. The event was YPR's sixth anniversary party, but the aim was to assist individuals who will soon be out on their own beginning a new life, often without many items typically associated with wedding gifts.

For the record, the bride was portrayed by Juliana Garcia, of Express Professionals; the groom was Jay Christie of the Racine Zoological Society. (He got the better of the deal; "Mom" was right.)

Best man was Chris Terry, of Carpetland USA, next year's YPR president; Maid of Honor was Tabitha Flores, of Express Professionals.

Bridesmaids were Angela Schott and Mandy Boroski, both of Leman USA. Groomsmen were Charlie Petrarch of The Party Company and Philippe Bisson of Bombardier Recreational Products.

Mother of the Bride was Loretta Olson of Express Professionals.

Dana Grueter, wedding planner extraordinaire

Guest J.J. McAuliffe forgot to wear pants

Best Man Chris Terry looked spiffy at first...

...but quickly fell victim to musical chairs and...?

What's a wedding without pictures?

Bride's "brother" taking care of business...

YPR hosting anniversary party to benefit local nonprofits

Here's a cool event from the Young Professionals of Racine. The group is hosting an anniverary party Thursday night and asking people who come to bring a "wedding present" to benefit local nonprofit organizations. Here's all the details, as written by Chris Terry of YPR:

The leaders of Young Professionals of Racine are optimistic that this year’s anniversary party will be remembered as more than just a party celebrating the organization’s sixth year of existence.

YPR is asking its members, and the general public, to bring a typical wedding gift or donation in lieu of an entrance fee for the celebration, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12 at Infusino’s Banquet Hall on Rapids Drive. The celebration, dubbed My Big Fat YPR Wedding!, will benefit HALO, the Bethany House Apartments, Safe Haven of Racine and the Women’s Resource Center. Dinner, dancing and a wedding cake will all be part of the celebration.

“One of our goals is to involve young professionals in the community,” said YPR Program Director Dana Grueter. “This event allows to not only be of service to some wonderful organizations in our community, but to introduce young professionals to what they do, as well.”

The organizations chosen were selected because they all assist individuals who, in the near future, will be out on their own beginning a new life, oftentimes without many items typically associated with wedding gifts, such as plates, silverware, pots, pans, toasters, microwaves, etc.

In addition to the donation of gifts and any financial contributions, many of YPR’s partner companies have donated items which will be included in a silent auction, again with all proceeds benefitting the four organizations.

“We expect to donate over $5,000 in gifts, financial donations and silent auction contributions to four great organizations in Racine,” Grueter said. “Also, we’re offering an amazingly fun networking opportunity for our young professionals in addition to letting them know about these organizations which do so much for the Racine community.”

YPR has had success in previous fundraising ventures, contributing $10,000 to the American Red Cross’ Hurricane Katrina relief effort in 2005 via the organization’s Hurricane for Hurricane Relief fundraiser.

Young Professionals of Racine is a membership-driven organization created in 2002 as a division of Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce as a vehicle to engage the next generation of Racine’s leaders. Founded by 12 enterprising professionals, the group has grown to more than 2,200 members representing more than 150 companies regionally.