Cancer Survivor Gifted 'Fairy-Tale' Wedding by Ritz-Carlton: 'The Generosity Showered on Us Was Truly Overwhelming'

Morgan Hartman and her husband Phil Deamezola were the lucky recipients of the Gift of a Lifetime program, a partnership between the resort and Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute

The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami made one deserving couple's wedding dreams come true.

Last month, the resort orchestrated an all-expenses-paid wedding for Morgan Hartman and her now-husband, Phil Deamezola, both of whom recently faced significant health challenges. Hartman was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and Deamezola experienced an abdominal aortic aneurysm earlier this year.

"We were blown away," Hartman tells PEOPLE of learning that she and Deamezola had been chosen as the lucky recipients of the Gift of a Lifetime program, launched by the resort in collaboration with Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. "We both have strong spiritual beliefs, and it seemed like confirmation that we are a good couple and that we are supposed to be together."

Every detail of the couple's lavish Oct. 19 wedding — from their attire to the reception decor — was taken care of by the Ritz-Carlton and a long list of generous local vendors.

"I think we underestimated the magnitude of donations — of time, services, the ingredients for a fairy-tale wedding. The goodwill, love and kindness and generosity that was showered on us was truly overwhelming at times," Deamezola notes.

The couple's health crisis began in December 2020, when doctors discovered a cancerous tumor in Hartman's esophagus. She immediately underwent treatment including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation — and Deamezola was by her side through it all, picking up her prescriptions, whipping up healthy juices, offering comforting back rubs and helping her manage the feeding tube she required after surgery.

"I couldn't have done any of it without his love and support," she says.

Deamezola surprised Hartman by popping the question on Christmas Day that same year, though the couple understandably decided to hold off on any wedding planning until Hartman's treatment was complete.

"Phil proposed with a beautiful ring, and then we thought, 'Maybe we shouldn't get married because I'm sick. Maybe we should wait until we are healthy and the dust settles,'" Hartman explains.

Related: Couple Whips Up Wedding in a Week After Groom's Mom Received Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis (Exclusive)

Earlier this year, she celebrated two years of being cancer-free. However, Deamezola suddenly fell ill and required emergency surgery at Baptist Health for his aneurysm.

Once he recovered, the pair finally turned their thoughts to getting married. Hartman decided to apply to Gift of a Lifetime, and they soon learned the exciting news that they had been chosen.

When their long-awaited wedding day arrived, they were thrilled to say "I do" with their loved ones looking on. "The day was magical," Hartman tells PEOPLE of the nuptials. "Everything came together. From start to finish, it was seamless, joyful, loving, full of hope and good cheer."

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They especially loved the stunning ocean backdrop at the Ritz-Carlton, which made their ceremony that much more special. "I could not have planned a more perfect day in my dreams," Hartman notes.

"Everyone was excited to be part of the wedding," she continues. "My brother-in-law and nephew walked me down the aisle, his kids stood up with us, my mom wore sequins. We danced with our parents."

In a particularly poignant moment for Hartman, she and Deamezola were invited upstairs as their reception was winding down to do "one last media thing" as part of the Gift of a Lifetime program — only, it turned out that a very special guest was waiting to surprise them.

"My thoracic surgeon [Dr. Derosimo] walked out of a back room to hug us and say congratulations," Hartman recalls. "This man is busy, and he took time off to punctuate our amazing day."

Related: Bride Escorted Down the Aisle by her Oncology Doctors After Beating Cancer: ‘Hands of Fate That Saved Me’

She says she was overcome with emotion by his touching gesture. "I cried! It was very meaningful and a perfect way to end the whole thing."

Now, the couple is looking forward to their future together — with plenty of gratitude. "We are grateful for our lives filled with love, joy and fun," Hartman tells PEOPLE.

"We are grateful that there is life after cancer and major medical issues," she continues. "We are grateful for each other, our families and friends, the amazing people at Baptist Health and Miami Cancer Institute, the generous people at the Ritz-Carlton, and all of the people who contributed to make a dreamy wedding day."

"Whatever word that comes beyond grateful? We are that," Hartman declares.

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