Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway

Megan & Peter's Dream Wedding held on June 27, 2010 at Rancho de Las Palmas

2010-07-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

Megan & Peter are the winners of the 2010 Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway. This couple beat out 633 other couples to have their dream wedding produced by 50 of Southern California's best wedding vendors!

Their dream wedding was held at Rancho de Las Palmas on June 27, 2010 in perfect Southland weather. They were surrounded by their family and friends in a joyous celebration that lasted late into the night. The couple shared many laughs and tears throughout the evening in a lavish wedding that was filled with the best of everything. It was truly a memorable event!

Here is a photo montage created by the awesome Alex Neumann, head photographer for the dream wedding. All photographs in this series taken by Alex Neumann Photography.

Photo Montage of Megan & Peter's Dream Wedding from Percy Sales on Vimeo.

Details of the Dream Wedding:

The Locations
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Camarillo Ranch

Wedding Location: Rancho de Las Palmas

The Couture
Wedding Dress by Watters and Lili Bridals in Tarzana, California

Bridesmaids, Flower Girl, Men Ties and Pocket Squares, and Maid of Honor Dresses by Coren Moore

Grooms Calvin Klein Tuxedo by 1800MyTuxes.com

Groomsmen, Ring Bearer, Ushers, Fathers tuxedo rentals by Friar Tux

Mothers of the Bride and Mothers of the Groom dresses by Siri

The Bling (Accessories)
Veil by Toni Federici at Lili Bridals

Crystal and Silk headband by Malis Henderson at Lili Bridals

Bridal shoes by Nina Shoes

Navy Blue Eel Skin purses for the bride and her entourage by Katie Gallagher Handbags

Bridesmaids, flower girl, and mothers jewelry by Bonita J

Bridal Jewelry by Lady Bead

Groomsmen and Grooms custom cuff-links and Grooms boutonniere holder by DeAnna Cochran Jewelry

Custom garters, dress tag, and ring bearer pillow by Victoria Joanne at Hand Crafted Creations

The Beauty Team
Bridal Party Lashes and Brides Intraceuticals session by Danielle at Studio Lash

Hair and Makeup by Ja'Nice at DeVenir Beauty

The Flowers
Ceremony, Bridal, and Reception Floral by Your Image Floral Design

Cocktail Reception Floral by Fleuretica

Orchids provided by Amy's Orchids

The Food
Rehearsal Dinner Catering by Events by CP Catering

Wedding Catering and Bar Service by DJ's California Catering

Candy Buffet Bar by butter 'n eggs

Cookie favors by LuvBug Cookies

Wedding Cake by Judy's Great Cakes

Groom's Cake by TC Bakery

Vodka Bar by RND Vodka

The Designs
Wedding Design, Planning, and Coordination by Percy Sales Events

Graphic Design, Website and Thank You CD's by CNI Designs

Aisle Runner by Starry Night Design Studio

Floor Decal by Ten23 Designs

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation by Adair Design

Wedding Invitations by The Invitation Spot

Calligraphy by Calligraphy by Jennifer

Seating Tag Mobiles by Just Wenderful

The Photographers and Videographers
Photobooth by Mint Photo Lounge

Engagement and Rehearsal Dinner Photography by Gloria Plunkett Photography

Party Photographer and Wedding Candids Photographer by Marie the Photographer

Wedding Day Photography by Alex Neumann Photography

Videography and On-site Video Presentation by Skyline Videography

The Music
String Quartet by Windsong Quartet

Cocktail Hour music by David Vito

DJ and MC by The Wedding Music DJ's

The Extras
Honeymoon at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego and Acacia Mansion by Acacia Mansion

Hummer limousine by American Luxury Limousine

First Dance Choreography by Cliff Housego

Chiavari Chairs and all Linens by Sitting Pretty Chair Covers

Hotel Stays by Grand Vista Simi Valley

Ice Luge by Images in Ice

Minister Services (offered by not used by couple) by Revered Barbara Laughray

Megan and Peter's Love Story

2010-06-28T23:55:00.001-07:00

Here is the video created by Skyline Videography and shown at Megan and Peter's Dream Wedding last night. It includes a same day edit of a portion of their wedding and was shown during dinner.

Megan & Peter - Love Story / Same Day Edit from Skyline Videography on Vimeo.

Road to the Aisle with Megan and Peter: The Mother's Siri Dresses

2010-03-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Megan's Mom, Sandra and Peter's Mom, Diane have both chosen their Siri Dresses!

Sandra chose the Genevieve Dres s and jacket in Siri's new Crinkled Shantung in Mediterranean Blue, the picture above on the left is the exact dress and jacket, fabric and color that she chose. The Genevieve Dres s is a strapless knee length dress that is being paired with a beautiful short sleeve bolero style jacket that will give this mom a stunning look.

Diane chose the Sabine Dress in a solid raspberry silk shantung and is pairing it with a Topper Jacket in raspberry sheer organza, pictured above right. This dress will complement Sandra's dress as it will mirror the same style while giving Diane a look that will truly be her own. She will look lovely on wedding day.

Siri made the process of ordering the dresses so simple, even though both mothers live out of state. The staff and Beverley Siri herself made the ordering process so simple and stress free. Mothers all over the world should order their dresses from this fabulous company. They will make sure they walk away happy moms of the couple!

Mothers of the bride and groom love Siri because their styling is younger and more updated. They definitely have revolutionized what the mothers' should look like. Siri loathes the "old mother of the bride look" and prefer to give them something chic and distinct yet affordable. Just like the dresses in bridesmaids collection, Siri dresses for mothers can be ordered from a variety of fabrications, each having many colors to choose from. Specialty fabrics such as embroidered shantung or like their new Crinkled Shantung are created just with the mother of the bride or groom in mind. It's easy to customize Siri dresses so that it reflects the person wearing them as well by adding pieces that reflect you...it's so couture.

Siri is pleased to provide the two dresses for the mothers of Megan and Peter.

Here is a video of Beverley Siri talking about why Siri choose to modernize the dowdy Mothers of the Couples dresses.

Thank you Siri for the fabulous dresses!

Road to the Aisle with Megan and Peter: Their latest video

2010-03-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

Check out Megan and Peter's latest video titled: 100 days, 100 years. It's the 100 day count down to their dream wedding!

Road to the Aisle with Megan and Peter: The Coren Moore Bridesmaids Dresses

2010-03-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, our dream bride, Megan, accompanied by one of her maids, Jamie, and Percy from Percy Sales Events ventured out to Bella Bridesmaids Boutique in Los Angeles to try on Coren Moore Bridesmaids dresses! What a fun trip this was. Thanks to Julie at Coren Moore and Cassidy at Bella Bridesmaids for setting up the fitting for us.

Coren Moore maids dresses are so FABULOUS! They had a variety of styles that flatters every figure and some design details that are just so cute. Each dress was so unique and it had some interesting aspect to each of them. Every dressed that was tried on was like a dream dress, that we were so dizzy from beauty overload. After trying on what seemed to be like 20 dresses (okay maybe not that many)...Megan settled on 6 styles in hopes that each of her bridesmaids would choose one of the styles, giving them all a different look!

They styles she chose are:

She really loves the thought of her five maids wearing navy dresses with a lime sash and a her maid of honor wearing an amethyst gown with a navy sash. It works with her color combo. Anyway we can't wait to show you the final dress selections! Stay tuned.

Road to the Aisle with Megan and Peter: The Watters Bridal Gown

2010-02-28T18:47:00.001-08:00

Today, Megan (Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's Dream Bride™) had her own personal Watters Bridal trunk show and fitting at Lili Bridals and Formals in Tarzana, California. Vanessa Brandon from Watters and Lisa Litt from Lili Bridals was on hand to help Megan with her Dream Gown...and did she find it...bone chilling perfection.

Megan tried on about 10 gowns from Watters fabulous 2010 line. The gowns represented both Watters Brides and WToo Brides. Both lines offered amazing detail work, hand embellishments, and the overall styling and design were just spectacular. Plus, the price points are incredible...considering some of the more expensive gowns from other lines did not compare to the fabulousness of these gowns.

Below are are a sampling of the gowns that Megan tried on. Is "the dress" one of these...well you won't know until wedding day.

Let's just say that the Watters Dream Dress™ will be paired with a Swarovski crystal ribbon headband and a cathedral length veil. It's was a "goose" bumps moment when Megan walked out with the Dream Dress that was chosen for the final approval by all!

Thank you to Lisa Litt from Lili Bridals and Formals, Vatana Watters and Vanessa Brandon of Watters Bridal for providing our Dream Bride™ with her Dream Dress.

Pictured above from left to right: Lisa Litt from Lili Bridals and Formals, Vanessa Brandon from Watters, Jolene Harrington from Here Comes the G uide, and Percy Sales from Percy Sales Events.

Watters Bridal Gowns Pictures Above left to right: Austin (Watters), Lasara (Watters), Monclova (Watters), Corrine (WToo), and Inez (Watters)

Road to the Aisle with Megan and Peter: Venue Tour

2010-02-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Megan and Peter met with Percy Sales of Percy Sales Events to tour the beautiful Rancho de Las Palmas in Moorpark, CA, the location of their dream wedding.

Percy gave them a tour of the expansive grounds, detailing what each area will be used for. He talked about his ideas and what he has envisioned for each area and Megan and Peter were gitty with excitement. Rancho de Las Palmas offers so many possibilities and the Dream Crew™ are pulling out all the stops. In the words of Megan and Peter, "Our guests are gonna have so many surprises around each corner, they won't know what hit them."

After the tour, the three of them sat and discussed the many questions that Megan and Peter had about winning the dream wedding and discussed the themes, colors and wants that Megan and Peter would like to see as part of their dream wedding. We discussed every element from dress and tux fittings, the wedding weeks schedule, and other details that will make their wedding as unique as they are.

After the meeting Megan and Peter where left alone to take in the beauty of Rancho de Las Palmas and take photos and videos of the property. Next stop...Lili Bridals and Formals for the Watters trunk show on Sunday and finding the dream gown for Megan.

Some of the details thus far:

Colors: Plum. Navy, and Lime.
Ceremony in the round.
Friends and Family will be incorporated throughout the event.
Style: Modern Romantic with a little quirk.
Cigar Bar, RND Vodka Bar, S'mores Pit, and Candy Girls.

Keep following Megan and Peter through their "road to the aisle" and see what each Dream Crew™ member is gonna do to make their dream wedding SPECTACULAR!

Announcing the 2010 Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's Winning Dream Couple™

2010-02-14T10:12:00.000-08:00

It's Valentine's Day Morning and it has to be one of the stressful and exciting mornings I have had in a long time. Not because it's Valentine's Day, but because this morning I made the phone call that our Top 5 Couples have been waiting for since Friday evening. Let me tell you with each call I just had to stop my self from crying uncontrollably because I have become attached to these five in such a short time.

After 3 months, 615 contestant entries, 9 days of public voting to the tune of 34,029 votes, and sponsors agonizing over their choice of couples...one couple has emerged the winner and will have their wedding of a lifetime...platinum style. We will chronicle the couples journey as they customize their wedding to their liking and finally say "I Do" at Rancho de Las Palmas in Moorpark, CA on Sunday, June 27, 2010 with over 50 vendors taking care of all their wedding needs!

We also wanted to add that Rancho de Las Palmas has generously offered all four runner-up couples the use of their property for a future date. Acacia Mansion has offered each couple a one night stay at the property that would include a breakfast and a picnic horseback ride on a date of their choosing. Bonita J has given our second and third place couple a gift certificate for jewelry. Percy Sales Events has offered his coordinating and design services to all the couples on a date of their choosing to help you plan your own dream weddings.

Finally we are pleased to announce the 2010 Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway winning Dream Couple™:

Megan & Peter
(Dream Couple #600)
currently residing in Studio City, CA and Sacramento, CA

Follow us at www.socaldreamwedding.com as we take you on Megan & Peter's "Journey to the Aisle!"

Thank you to all the couples, sponsors, vendors and fans who have made the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway more than we could have expected.

Winning Dream Couple™: Megan & Peter (Dream Couple #600)

2010-02-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Megan O'Neil & Peter Story
Los Angeles, California and Sacramento, California
Dream Couple #600

Questions asked to the Top 10 Dream Couples

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?

There are three ways we would like to pay it forward:

#1: We want to take care of those in need.

Megan: We’d like to take what little money we've saved towards a wedding and make a donation to one of our favorite charities. We would also love to set up a website link so that guests can choose to donate to the fund as an alternative gift.

Peter: Megan and I are no strangers to hard work. We both enjoy volunteering our time to work on projects that benefit those less fortunate. Megan has worked in soup kitchens and aided in disaster relief with Habitat for Humanity. I, too, have worked with Habitat as well as international service projects in both Mexico and Estonia. We would be thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the Giveaway by working together on some community projects.

#2: We want to give back to the Dream Wedding Giveaway.

Peter: We know how important marketing is to the success of a company and we would be very excited to sit down with the dream team members and think of ways in which we, as a couple, could advertise for them.

Megan: Whether it be trade shows, special events or interviews, we would be glad to give our time to help promote in any way those companies who have so generously donated their time and service to make the dream wedding possible!

#3: We want to inspire other couples.

Megan: We feel one of the best ways to pay it forward is by staying together. When the number of divorce is at an all time high, marriage is slowly becoming no more significant than an engagement.

Peter: Megan and I have always given great importance to marriage and are aware of what's needed to make a marriage last.

We realize that marriage is hard work, it’s not always going to be gumdrops and rainbows, and that commitment is about honoring the promise we’ve made to each other no matter what forces try to pull us apart. We are striving to set an example, not only for the friends and family surrounding us now, but for the family we hope to have in the future as well.

Surviving in marriage is a choice. It’s two people choosing to work together, choosing to stay in love. So we will pay it forward by honoring the ceremony we were so generously given and stay Mr. and Mrs. Story until “death do us part”.

2) What song is your love song?

You and I --Ingrid Michaelson
Finding a song had always been difficult for us as we both come from musical families and always grew up with a passion for music.

Peter: I think as a couple, you want "your song" to be a kind of anthem--a song that represents what you share as a couple. For us it's “You and I”. It’s something we can sing to each other- it just feels like us. It’s sweet tone and simple nature really appeals to us and the humor is so charming.

Megan: It's a song about remembering what's important. Peter and I are both pretty sympathetic people and can sometimes find ourselves turning into worriers, especially when it comes to finances. "You and I" reminds us to not worry...to remember that it's love that's important-- it's "love that pays the bills".

Peter: The song also talks about giving back to your parents. This idea has always been important to Megan and I because we both come from very close families. We realize how much our parents sacrificed and went without so that we could have more growing up than they did. Megan and I both strive for success in a way that will allow us to give back to our parents, at least in some small way, to say how grateful we are for what they've done for us...and continue to do.

The song also talks of dreaming-- of "building a house on a mountain"-- and we see ourselves as dreamers. It's one of the qualities that drew us together. We dream big dreams and don't apologize. We believe that it's better to go after something and lose it than to never go after it at all. And even though we've come from humble backgrounds and are still struggling ourselves, we keep our chins up with visions of a great life together. Maybe someday our own home. A place where we can, as the song says, "put the lonesome on the shelf"

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?

Megan: Both Peter and I feel that what would make our wedding day memorable (besides being the winning couple, of course) would be to have all of our friends and family present. We have the most supportive and loving friends and family so the "guest" part of planning the wedding has always had central importance.

Peter: The family and friends who know us best knew how important it was for each of

us to find the perfect mate--how many sacrifices we made to hold out for the "right one". So when we finally found each other, after years of patience, it was a near miracle. Then, when we got engaged, well...it was a huge event for those around us. We have so much support from so many people that can't wait to see us happily married. Unfortunately, many of those people, including both our families are not in California.

Megan: We've agonized over wedding plans this past year as we still have not been able to settle on a location. We both really wanted to have the wedding in California but with my entire family in Michigan and his in Oklahoma, having the wedding here seemed very selfish as the cost of travel and lodging is so high. We've entertained the idea of having the wedding in Michigan, Illinois, Oklahoma, and California in attempts to find a way for people to come. However, in each option, some important group gets left out. With the cost of mounting the wedding itself, there's no earthly way possible we could supplement anyone's travel.

Peter: It's been a heartbreaking process realizing we're not ever going to find an option to allow the people dearest to us to be able to come to the wedding. The Giveaway could truly be the fairy godmother that makes this possible. If the dream team is able to wave their magic wand and make a wedding appear, allowing us to help the travel costs of close friends and family....then this wedding would truly be memorable. Not just because of its splendor, but because we were able to share it with those who have meant so much to us.

Original Questions asked to all contestants

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
Once upon a time, in a far away place called B Street Theatre in Sacramento, two actors started rehearsal for a stage production of Rumplestiltskin. Megan, a recent college graduate, had just begun a ten month internship with the theatre. Peter, a veteran actor with the theatre, had also completed the internship several years prior. It was not love at first sight but if every story started with a happy ending, you wouldn’t have a story.

Megan: The first time Peter told me he loved me it was before we started dating. We were in rehearsal and, on a short break, I decided to play around on a nearby piano. He said “Megan, I love you, but will you PLEASE STOP PLAYING THE PIANO?” I was plunking out the same phrases over and over since I only had a small portion of a song memorized. My initial thought was, who is this jerk?

Peter: We weren’t very fond of each other as far as first impressions go. She was a fresh fish at the theatre and I thought, who is this goofball? I didn’t take the time to explain to her that my mother had been a piano teacher my whole life and the repetitious sounds of simple piano-ing had become “nails on a chalkboard”.

Time Changes Everything
Once the show opened, Peter was cast in another show at the theatre that ran in the evenings and Megan too was eventually put on that show doing work backstage. There was a point when they were doing 17 shows a week together! Soon, first impressions wore off and they were able to learn more about one another.

Megan: We started to spend all of our time together, even outside of work. As an intern, your work schedule included 12-14 hours a day, six days a week, with a day off if you were lucky. There was never a lot of time to rest, let alone eat! It was so wonderful that Peter had completed the internship years prior because he truly understood what I was going through and knew how to be supportive. He started inviting me to spend breaks with him and brought me lattes or breakfast to my dressing room before shows- just little things. I’d make sure his costume (which always ripped) was sewn up properly and I always found my way next to him in his dressing room or conveniently close to him on the couch in the green room, backstage. It was truly a sweet start.

Peter: What first caught my attention was how hard she worked. Both on and off stage. The internship can be brutal—lots of manual labor and hard hours—but Megan always seemed to be undaunted by it. Not only that, but she always had a great attitude. I was starting to realize that this girl was truly remarkable. Another surprise was the fact that I couldn’t find a single person to say anything negative about Megan. And in a gossip-central, drama-loving theatre hub, this was an enigma. She seemed to be perfect. I later found out…she was. After getting ample time to know each other, I started to discover how wonderfully complex Megan was and as first impressions started to melt away, I found myself falling in love with her.

Megan: He tried to kiss me twice. The first time, I honestly couldn’t tell if he was shooting for my cheek or my mouth so I went the safe route and gave him my cheek. I was so nervous!!! The next time he tried, it was all my fault! I ended up turning my cheek and hugging him instead. WHY!?!

Peter: I wanted to kiss her from pretty early on, but I hadn’t found the right opportunity. One night, after hanging out at her place, I was saying goodbye to her on her porch and I tried to kiss her. She turned her face and gave me the cheek. What? I went away pretty dejected. Was my radar off? I thought the signals I was getting were pretty clear. Our first official date would be later that week at a Sacramento minor-league baseball game. Before the game, I went over to Megan’s for a BBQ. At one point we found ourselves alone in the kitchen and I tried once again to kiss her. Once again, rejection. She subsided the awkwardness, though, by giving me a long heartfelt hug. This made me think, maybe it’s the timing? Later that evening, at my apartment, we were getting ready to go to the ballgame and surprise ending: SHE ended up kissing ME. She saw the puzzled look in my face as I tried to piece together where this came from, especially after two hardcore rejection!
s. She quickly reassured me, “I’m just shy”. The baseball game ended up being a really special date. Afterwards, we went to my apartment and stayed up half the night talking and sharing unrejected kisses.

Megan: That night of our first date was amazing. He made me laugh and feel at ease. I felt like I could completely be myself around him. He asked me everything about my life, good and bad, and somehow he knew more about me after one night than people who had known me for years. It was an instant bond, an instant trust which laid the foundation for our entire relationship. I thought the sparkly honeymoon stage of our relationship would eventually wear off as months went by, but it never did! Peter is so romantic and was constantly doing sweet things for me and I always returned the gesture. I think that is what is so great about us. At the end of the day, we feel most content just by making each other happy.

Fall Ended…
Peter left Sacramento to go back to LA while Megan finished up her internship and began a job in Chicago that would last until the following summer. Having horrible experiences in the past with long distance relationships, Peter decided it was best to end things

Peter: When I left Sacramento, I remember thinking those five months went by in a snap…I could do this for years with this girl. Decades. But at that point, Megan would be moving to Chicago and I was pretty sure she wouldn’t be happy in LA. It was a sad time.

Megan: I knew that we couldn’t be together at the time, but there was no doubt in my mind that we would end up together. I was done. He was it for me but I knew that I had to be patient while he figured out that I was right for him. Luckily it didn’t take long.

Peter: I never felt good about us ending the relationship. It was only a matter of weeks apart before I realized that the fears and apprehensions I had about us being together were truly immature and unfounded. I realized that I couldn’t hold Megan to the trials and tribulations of relationships past for one simple reason: she was unlike any girl I had ever met. So when she called and asked if I wanted her to come and visit for Christmas, it was a no-brainer. Of course I wanted her there. I wanted her with me….always.

The Proposal- Denali National Park, Alaska
Peter: I had been to Alaska years prior, and after travelling all over the world, it still stood out to me as the most beautiful place I had ever seen. I wanted to share it with Megan and I wanted it to be very special. After saving for months, and planning every detail, I somehow managed to put together a pretty good trip. We flew into Anchorage, trained up to Denali, and spent several days in some of the most beautiful surroundings you can imagine. I rented us a quaint little cabin outside Denali National Park (Mt. McKinley, the highest point in North America). We then took a shuttle bus into the heart of the park, an area preserved to the way it looked over 2,000 years ago—untouched landscapes, wild animals roaming free. See a short clip of our fun bear footage at: (http://www.youtube.com/user/muchadobenedic#p/a/u/0/hIqW68zqYms). I wanted the proposal to be memorable and I wanted it to be very intimate. Knowing Megan, I was sure that something public would be very embarrassing for her. Arriving at our destination in the park, we went off on our own, hiking up a small mountain. At the top, overlooking a gorgeous mountain range and serene valley, I turned off the camcorder and proposed. It was perfect. I turned the camcorder back on and interviewed her, only to find out that she knew I was going to propose the whole time.

Megan: Peter actually thought that he could plan a trip that elaborate and I wouldn’t suspect what it was all about. He said the trip was for my birthday, but I knew the real reason. But even though I had a good idea he was going to propose at some point in the trip, when he actually asked me to marry him I found myself completely surprised. I was so excited I almost tackled him, and after holding him tight for a long time… I said yes. I was so excited in the moment that I even forgot to look at the ring. He had to put in front of my face for me to notice it. The whole thing was so romantic. I found out later that he had asked my parents’ permission at the rehearsal dinner for my brother’s wedding a few months prior. It had not been easy for him because he had just met my dad for the first time that day. Peter is a true gentleman.

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
Peter: The hardest thing for us to face as a couple has been being apart so much. The distance. We went from being together 24/7 for our first five months to being halfway across the country from each other for nearly a year. It was a huge emotional adjustment that depended entirely on communicating over the phone and video chatting. We tried to visit one another at least once a month but sometimes work or finances prevented it.

Megan: Once we were engaged, Peter asked me to move to LA. I was pretty nervous about making the transition. I had always thought that I’d be working in Chicago and didn’t have any friends of my own there. While we were road tripping cross-country from the Midwest to southern California with all of my belongings, Peter got an email saying that he was cast in a show back up in Sacramento. He would have to leave soon and start rehearsals just days after we would arrive in LA.

Peter: Being actors, staying consistently employed is difficult. We have been blessed to be able to supplement our rent by managing an apartment complex in Studio City. However, if a job pulls one of us out of town, the other has to stay behind in LA to manage the building. It’s a sacrifice we make for each other so that we can continue to pursue our career goals.

Megan: Once Peter left for Sacramento, I realized I was in a new city with pretty much no friends and a huge responsibility—run an apartment complex all by myself. But Peter told me that he wouldn’t have put me in that position unless he thought I could handle it. And I have to say, I’ve even surprised myself. From fixing an exhaust fan to handling a broken toilet, I’m becoming quite the handywoman. Peter’s been so supportive and encouraging.

Peter: I knew it would be difficult for her at first, but I knew she was the same woman I had seen at the theatre working hard day in and day out and I knew her positive attitude and winning personality would carry her through the tough times…and it has. She’s been a huge success. Both of us are that way, we respond well to adversity.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
Peter: Apologies and forgiveness. A lot of relationships end because people can’t talk through their differences. But if you have the humility to admit when you’ve made a mistake and the grace and compassion to forgive when you have been wronged, then that will give you the ability to tackle just about anything as a couple.

Megan: Selflessness. I believe if you’re lucky enough to be in a relationship where both of you strive to put the other’s needs ahead of your own, and both of you are working to make one another happy….well…it’s a recipe for growing old together.

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™:
Having to be away from each other so much, it’s been nearly impossible to plan a wedding. Both of us come from middle class families that have been severely hit by the economy crash. The daunting costs of putting a wedding together would put them in a financial position that would make us terribly uncomfortable. Also, with our family and friends spread out all over the country (Peter’s family in Oklahoma, Megan’s family in Michigan) it seems unattainable to have everyone we love and care about at one ceremony. We love living in Studio City and want the opportunity to share our home with our family and friends, many of whom have never even been to California. We realize we both chose a career that will most likely never give us a life of luxury. In fact, in our field and with this economy, you have to financially prepare to not be working. But we do what we do because we know at the end of the day that is what we are called to do- it’s what we were gifted with. This would be our first wedding. Neither of us have ever been engaged before. We feel that the love we share and the commitment we’ve made to one another deserves an event—a time where we can share how much we love each other, how grateful we are for friends and family, and how dedicated we are to being partners through life, for better or worse. We were hoping to get married in California by September of 2010 but thus far, due to lack of funds and opportunities, we have been unable to put anything together. The hope of having a wonderful celebration to honor our commitment is dwindling. Please help.

Top 5 Dream Couple™: Cauline & Rian (Dream Couple #4)

2010-02-13T09:25:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Cauline Williams & Rian Pedro
Camarillo, California
Dream Couple #4

Questions asked to the Top 10 Dream Couples™

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?
Were pretty good on donating old clothes and helping our churches but to add on we would give a percentage of whatever we get back at our wedding and our taxes to two charity's one being a local foster home or group home. The second charity would have to be towards kidney transplant patients for either there medication or dialysis because both can be pretty pricey.

2) What song is your love song?
Our love song is very hard to pin point. We have like 10!!! However if we had to pick one, it would probably be Plain White T's "A Lonely September". The lyrics describe the beginning of our relationship. The end is the best part of the song every time my fiance and I hear it, I tear up just because I love him so very much and it sometimes seems 2 have come out of no where. Falling in love with each other was the 2nd greatest gift god has ever given us. (The first being our son.)

"And I didn't mean to meet you then
we were just kids
And I didn't mean to give you chills
the way that I kiss
And I didn't mean to fall in love, but I did
And you didn't mean to love me back but I know you did"

Those are the end of the lyrics of the song and this song was the beginning of our cheesy everlasting love.

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?
The pictures will make it very memorable, our family and friends just the wedding itself. Honestly just winning would be one of the most wonderful things in the world to us. We honestly don't have that much money. But we have lots of love for each other. Our family's being together with us to celebrate our love and spiritual partnership would be indescribable. Words can not express how happy we would be to win. Just being in top ten reminds us that little miracles big or small do happen.

Questions asked all contestants

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
Well our first meeting was actually somewhat weird. One of my best friends, Mariam, was really into rock and roll and there was a guy, my fiance's brother, who was in this rock in roll band with some of his friends. So, one day after our classes my friends, Mariam and Amber, and I drove over to our mutual friend's house to watch the band play. As we walked in, I saw this skinny little Asian kid on guitar strumming his strings and really getting into the song that he and his band mates were performing.

My friend Mariam quickly pointed out the boy on the bass guitar whom she was mildly interested in. He was my fiance's brother, Carrel. I myself have never been interested in hardcore rock so I sat there patiently until the band was done and my friends were finally ready to leave, but not until Rian, my fiance, was done hitting on my best friend Amber of course.

On the car ride home, my friends and I laughed about how Rian was so into himself. After that day, the band started inviting us to hang out with them. We all became lifelong friends and me and my fiance, Rian, became best friends through those jam sessions. He would pick me up from my mother's house anytime of day or night. He was there for me when ever my mother and I would have problems and I was there when he had drama with his latest relationship. We would do everything together and we would talk on the phone for hours about life.

Finally, after two years of friendship, I made the first move and we have been together since. We moved into a small little apartment after four short months of dating. One day, I came home from work and there was all these fake rose peddles (haha) leading to our bedroom. As I opened the door, there was Rian standing by our bedroom window with his acoustic guitar. He asked me to sit down on our bed. Then he began to sing a song by The Plain White T's called, "A lonely September," it's one of our songs. I cried as I normally do, and then he looked me in the eyes and tells me he loves me. He got down on one knee full of tears and told me that he would always love me, protect me, and be with me forever. He said that he loved me with all his heart and that I made him grow up and think about life. He pulled out the ring, wiped his tears, and asked me to marry him. He said, "You're the missing puzzle piece to my heart!" I said, "YES!"

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
I've thought long and hard about this question. There have been three things that have been hard to face as a couple. One being my mother and our relationship. As a child all the way until I was about 17, I was abused physically. My mother has a very strong personality and for the most part that gets in her way. I waited a while before telling my mother about my relationship, because of his race.

My mother was not very approving of our love. I told Rian, my mother, and anyone else that had an opinion that I love Rian and was proud to be his girlfriend. I'm proud to be his fiance and I will be extremely proud to be his wife. My mother however tried her hardest to break us up. She told lies, screamed at him, and told both of us that would never last and that wasn't meant to be. However, in our hearts we knew our love was strong.

The second thing that we had to face as a couple was soon after we started dating, I became pregnant and my mother told me she would never love a mixed grandchild. Unfortunately, I had a miscarriage and became semi-determined to have a child, which led to another miscarriage that caused me to become extremely depressed. Finally, on my third pregnancy I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Gavin Wes Pedro on July 30 2008. After two miscarriages and many fights between my mother and Rian and between my mother and me, my mom has turned a new leaf and has accepted our love and our child. Needless to say, we had to put the wedding off until now, until this part of our lives became more stable.

The third and final obstacle that we as a couple had to face was that Rian was hospitalized. We thought he had a simple cold but he actually had and infection in his lungs. He was very week and ill. It was really scary for me and his family, because he had a kidney transplant in 2005 so his immune system is not as healthy as it should be and it hit him kind of hard. I'll never forget it. Fortunately, through the grace of God he recovered fine and is here with our little monster and me.

Those three things really made us realize what a strong foundation our relationship and our love is based upon.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
We think that the key to a successful marriage is forgiveness, love, patience, friendship, and faith. I'm no expert, because I'm not even married yet, but I think that with those five things a marriage cannot fail. I feel like me and Rian cheated a little, because we spent two years just being best friends...really getting to know each other and having fun. We never really had to impress each other or tell white lies or anything because we already knew each other so well. Besides my mom drama, it has been a fairy tale romance...a comedy fairy tale of sorts.

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
We deserve this because we are a really genuine couple. We are the type of couple that's in it for the long haul. Divorce would never be an option. We love each other very dearly were blessed with our little dream family already, so a dream wedding would be a great addition to our dream life. Please consider us your Dream Couple™ for the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway. It would really mean a lot us and to our friends and family. Thanks for your time, I hope it wasn't too much, and we hope to hear from you in February.

Top 5 Dream Couple™: Linda & Robert (Dream Couple #66)

2010-02-13T09:24:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Linda Cilingirian & Robert Danielyan

Burbank, California
Dream Couple #66

Questions asked to Top 10 Dream Couples™

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?
I love this question because it really makes you think that there is always someone out there who needs more of something than you do!

1). I have been a donating to St. Jude's Children Hospital for as long as I can remember! This would be a perfect way for us to do more for these precious children who have so much to deal with! Little things that we take for granted that mean the world to them!

What we would like to do is: ask each guest that attends our wedding to bring an unopened item ie: toys, slippers, books etc. We would like for this (if possible) to be mentioned somewhere on our invitation. With those gifts we would like to pick a day that we, along with the dream team or any one of them who can make a trip to the Children's Hospital in Hollywood and personally deliver these gifts to the children. Seeing their faces would be priceless!

2). Both Robert and I come from a huge Armenian family. As part of our tradition, guests usually give money as a wedding gift versus anything else. We would be honored to take 10% of however much we get and donate it to a charity (either St. Jude's again or another charity based on children)
We have a passion for children hence the reason everything is based around them. They are the future, and we have to at least try to make this world a better place for them!

3). Last but not least I was talking to my sister who happens to be a makeup artist and we thought, how nice would it be to be able to give something to maybe a woman's shelter or the charity that helps woman who are less fortunate find jobs! This one is still a work in progress but we thought maybe we can make baskets of goodies for some of these woman or makeup lessons. Something that will pick up there spirits! My sister always says "just a touch of lipstick and you automatically feel like a new person". these are just some ideas, because now that you got us thinking about "paying forward" my head is spinning with ideas! :)

2) What song is your love song?
Our song has always been Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra.
I guess because we kind of were two strangers who met and fell in love after typing away long conversations on an online dating site. Its funny but true!

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?
There isn't just one thing. I think this whole process is one we will never forget! From reading what my sister wrote about us to what all our family and friends had to say too! Its just the feeling that FINALLY something good is happening to us! We have both given up so much for our families. (That was a decision we had to make and would do it all over again) and now that something so HUGE like our wedding is being given to us...that's memorable enough! Our families have been waiting so long to see this day, especially my father. Being his first born, this is going to be the happiest day of his life when he finally walks me down the aisle to give me away to a man he adores and loves like his own son! There isn't anything better than seeing the people you care so deeply about so happy for you!

Original Questions asked to all contestants:

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
My name is Matilda and I am the brides younger sister. I wanted to do this for my sister and Robert because they deserve it and probably wouldn't do this on there own.

Robert and Linda met online. After many bad relationships and heartaches they both decided, "Why not, lets try something different." On February 27, 2007, online dating brought them together. For about a year they dated nonchalantly becoming the best of friends. 'Til one day they both realized they had fallen in love with the other and there lives would never be the same.

Robert purposed to my sister on July 4, 2009 while at MotoGP in Monterey. He was so nervous. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't get a phone call or text message from him about what he needed to do next. The ring had to be PERFECT, the setting had to be BEAUTIFUL, Linda had to be SURPRISED! Everyday I was talking him through his nerves. It was all worth it, let me tell you!!! He decided on a treasure hunt. He buried the ring in the sand that was right outside there hotel room while she was inside getting ready for dinner. He kept calling her to come outside because he wanted her to see this fisherman who had caught the biggest fish ever. My sister could careless (heehee). So she wouldn't come outside because she wasn't ready yet. Finally, she did...and I still can't believe he buried a diamond ring in the sand without any hesitation.

Throughout the day while at the race tracks, they had this bet going on. Something about her getting an autograph of some famous racer and if she did he had to buy her whatever she wanted. So of course Linda got the autograph and he knew he owed her a gift. So that night, Linda walks out and of course there is no fisherman. He sits her down on the sand and tells her he has a git for her. But the only way to find it is by digging for it. So she humors him and starts digging. Finds nothing. After about 20 minutes she was done digging for nothing. He told her she was so close and to keep going. He kept guiding her but she couldn't find the "treasure". Finally...the little box was revealed. She immediately started crying!

He was so nervous he forgot to get on one knee, all he said was "Wanna marry me"? At this point they had an audience. Everyone started cheering and clapping. She never answered him so he kept saying "You wanna, you wanna???" Her response back was, "Yes yes yes I wanna". Heehee...she was crying the rest of the night!!!

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
I think the hardest thing for the both of them has always been finances. Robert lost his business soon after they became a couple. He has worked so hard to find himself something promising. Working two jobs and my sister barely making ends meet, times have been tough for them. They have always stuck by each other and supported one another no matter what. These tough times has shown that both of them, that no matter what, will always make it through...as long as they believe in each other and there love for one another.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
My sister told me on my wedding day, "Always love, Always forgive, and Always listen." This is and always will be the best advice she has given me.

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
I think Robert and Linda deserve this wonderful gift because they are the most patient, loving, giving couple I know. My sister has always sacrificed her life for us, she has always put her feelings and her goals aside to see her family happy. Robert has always wanted the best for my sister. Knowing that he couldn't afford her dream wedding he was willing to sell his pride and joy, his Ducati. She wouldn't allow that. I truly believe this is their time to shine. They have been wanting a wedding for so long but just couldn't manage to do it alone. This would be a blessing from God and I would truly truly be so grateful if they won!!!

Contest Producer's Note: To enter the contest the couple had to agree to entering the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, so I had to write Linda for her permission. This is what Linda, the bride, had to say:

I feel so blessed and honored that my sister Matilda would go out of her way to do this for Robert and I.

The story is true the way we met, my treasure hunt on the beach, along with our struggle, down to the sale of his pride possession the Ducati...You know you've got a winner when they will give up their life passion for the happiness of the one they love...

Yes we give our 100% consent to enter us and publish our story as written by my sister Matilda.

Thank You so much for accepting the story from my sister it is greatly appreciated and I guess good luck to Robert and I. God Bless all those involved in something so sweet and generous.

Top 5 Dream Couple™: Maro & Donald (Dream Couple #303)

2010-02-13T09:19:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Maro Minassian & Donald Duckett
Montebello, California & Reseda, California
Dream Couple #303

Questions asked to the Top 10 Dream Couple™

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?

We would want to do so much, not only to pay it forward but because in our hearts we would be honored to serve those in need. However, specifically the first thing we would LOVE to do is Don is a professional barber who's clientele range from everyday clients to celebrity clientele and I am a professional makeup artist who has worked for MAC cosmetics for numerous years and have done makeup jobs for many weddings. In saying all that we would LOVE to donate our time and services to many who are planing there wedding and are struggling financing it themselves. I would do the makeup for the bride and her party for free and Don would cut the groom and his groomsmen for free. Secondly, Don and I love children very much and plan on having a few for ourselves one day. That being said, the second thing we would LOVE to do is donate our time, love, support and whatever else is needed to children that are battling cancer or other diseases by visiting them in the hospital and being a source of inspiration through showing them an abundance of love and talking and teaching them about God. We would also start an inspirational foundation gathering people who would be interested in making inspirational cards, writing poetry, coloring or drawing beautiful images for these children and personalizing it for each child to possibly brighten their days. Get donations of toys and stuffed animals to take to them to enjoy.

2. What song is our love song?

There are so many songs that we love but while I was thinking about our wedding over the course of the last month I thought about what a beautiful display of affection It would be for me to pour my love into a song for Don by singing to him on our wedding day. Which led me to think about our love song which is "Still The One" by Shania Twain. This song truly captures so much of the way we feel for one another and somehow expresses the victory over others that have been trying to tear us apart because of our racial differences.

3. What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple.

I think right now the hardest thing is knowing that my dad is probably not going to come to our wedding, so the most memorable thing for us would be to get the blessing and acceptance from my father and have him walk me down the isle and give me away to Don.

Questions asked to all couples

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
Where should I begin….Well one night, 6 years ago me and an acquaintance of mine, whom I was working with, in a girl group as a duet, were instructed to go and get to know each other better by our manager. She had the choice of where we would go and decided to go to a club. Quick history on me, I grew up fairly sheltered in a Lebanese Armenian culture and never really went clubbing, didn’t drink, didn’t have any boyfriends and focused on my schooling and my singing. She on the other hand, let's just say was the complete opposite. The concept of the girl group was having a good girl and a bad girl. Back to the story, we decided to meet in Hollywood, CA on Sunset and La Brea. She happened to forget her ID and since we knew we were not going to be able to get into any clubs, she suggested we should drive around and look for hot guys in nice cars. I was completely against the idea (in my head) but for the sake of getting the goal accomplished for the night and being a team player I went along with it. I was the driver and told her she can do all the talking and exchanging of phone numbers and I would drive. Well, half way through the night, after she had already gathered a few phone numbers she spotted a car and thought it was a celebrity, so she yells out “follow that car!” For about half an hour we chased behind this car. Don, who is the man I will marry, was in the passenger side of the Bentley and his friend was driving. Don was the man she thought was the celebrity. Well at one point we got next to them at a light, I looked over and he waived hello to me, but before we can make a move the light turned green and the pursuit was on once again. We ended up losing them heading West on Sunset Blvd. We decided to turn around to cap the night off with some Jerry’s Deli.

On the way back on Sunset she spots the car in front of the Sun B liquor store and yells out “their they are, Hurry Pull over!” Their car was pulled over, still running with the driver in it and the passenger door open. I pulled over as close as I could and told her to go ahead. As soon as she attempted to do so a police man behind me, on his loud speaker says “there is no stopping, keep driving forward”. Naturally, she didn’t have a chance to get out. We hurried around the block, found a parking space and as she was getting out tells me she wants me to go with her. I agreed but once again reminded her that she would be doing all the talking. Well as we walked closer to where their car was, I see Don walking out of the liquor store and my friend Anna is walking right passed him into the next store, thinking that’s where she could find him since that’s where the car was pulled in front of. Don is now heading towards the car and Anna is missing her opportunity to meet him since she has just walked ahead of him. Remember earlier in the story I mentioned he pulled over next to us, she didn’t get to see him very well but I did, and that was how I recognized him. At this point I didn’t know what to do. We had now spent 45 minutes chasing behind this car and I wasn’t about to just let him walk away right before my eyes. I wanted them to meet so I jump in his face, not ever having any practice at this sort of thing, and said “Hey! Where are you guys going?” At this point Anna stops and looks back to see us and make her way back. Don responds, after a few seconds of staring at me with “Where going to a party” I reply, like a total geek “Can we come? I can see on his face he really didn’t know how to respond but lets me know that he can take my number and he will call me and let us know if we can come once he gets there. I was freaking out inside, and I was furious that my friend did not intervene once. I had never thus far in my life given my phone number out. Growing up with three brothers, no sisters I wasn’t exposed to much dealing with the opposite sex. Well I gave him my number and we parted ways. We got back in the car and I was so nervous, I told her if he called I was going to let him know that she was the one who was interested in him and that I would give him her number so he can call her. She was laughing at me and told me that was fine with her.

After that night, I prayed he would lose my number and wouldn’t call me. I thought to myself he probably thinks I’m some trashy girl who’s looking for a one night stand. I didn’t know what to think. Well, two days later I was talking with my manager’s wife and I had briefed her on everything that happened the night me and Ana went out. While still on the phone with her, my other line rings, I look at the number which I did not recognize and say” Oh my God! This is the guy from the other night.” She encourages me to answer, and says that I should try to get to know him, that he might be a great guy. Well, I didn’t answer, at least not then. I checked my messages and it was him. He had left a very sweet message apologizing for not calling me that night. A few hours later he tries back again, so I answered. After a few minutes of small talk I told him my friend, was actually the one who was interested in him and that he should call her. He responded by saying he wasn’t interested in my friend and wanted to get to know me better. (Side note: In my culture 99% of the time they don’t marry outside the race, they are very ethnocentric. Especially not an African American, which that is what he happened to be. ) I told him just that, I said “Look I’m Middle Eastern and I couldn’t even date you.” He said, well if you continue to talk to me your going to fall in love. I thought he was crazy and that was the farthest thing from reality in my mind. I decided to be friends with him. We ended up talking for months on the phone. He turned out to be a perfect gentleman, and one of my closest friends who I did fall in love with as he predicted and a few months later after becoming good friends we started dating. We have been inseparable ever since.

Six years later were still going strong. This year on Valentines Day he proposed to me in front of our friends and family at our Church Valentine Banquet. I was completely surprised and I accepted. I took a leap of faith against all odds in my world and it has been the best decision I have ever made. It was truly Divine intervention that brought us together and I thank God every day for bringing him into my life.

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
Is being from two different cultures and getting acceptance and the blessing from our family's and friends to marry.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
Having God in our lives first. For success, love requires sacrifice and selflessness. Learning each others love languages and speaking them to one another.

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
Every other couple who has entered this contest is as equally deserving as we are. We would love to be blessed with the wedding of our dreams to teach our family and friends that love is not defined by color, race or origin. That love exemplifies unity and acceptance not division and judgement.

Top 5 Dream Couple™: Amber & Tyler (Dream Couple #533)

2010-02-13T09:12:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Amber Kolb & Tyler Gillam
Santa Barbara, California
Dream Couple #533

Questions asked to the Top 10 Dream Couples

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?
If we were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway™ we would pay it forward by encouraging all our friends and family to make a donation of their choice to the Santa Barbara County Firefighters Benevolent Foundation in lieu of any gifts. The SBCFBF is a non-profit that offers relief to the families of firefighters stricken in the line of duty and provides scholarships to the children of firefighters stricken in the line of duty and has been indispensable to us and our family this year.
http://www.sbcfbf.org/

2) What song is your love song?
Our love song is Greatestlove by Musiq Soulchild. It was the song that was playing when I proposed to Amber.
http://www.elyrics.net/read/m/musiq-soulchild-lyrics/greatestlove-lyrics.html

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?
The one thing that would make our wedding day memorable to us as a couple would be for me to be one hundred percent healthy and cancer free by the time we take our vows. Although we're getting a bit weary from the struggle, we've got plenty of fight left and are so close to achieving this goal. We're going to make this disease a distant memory so that our wedding day will be about Love, Life, Family, Friends and nothing else.

Questions asked to all contestants

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
Amber and I met on February 7, 2004 in Las Vegas when we were introduced through a mutual friend I was visiting at the time. I was immediately attracted to her and still remember the little hat and suspenders she was wearing the night we met. She was the most attractive girl in a nightclub full of attractive girls so I tried my best to play it cool and keep my distance for a while. I even asked her to be the icebreaker in chatting up some other girls who were sitting near us. My indirect approach worked perfectly as we eventually shut everyone else out and sat talking on a couch for most of the night. I’ve never met a funnier person in my entire life. Her sense of humor immediately clicked with mine and I knew I had to see her again. At the time she was working at a bank in Las Vegas and I lived, as we do now, in Santa Barbara where I work as a Firefighter. We saw each other long distance for a while and as we grew closer, started to discuss Amber moving to Santa Barbara. Asking someone to give up their job and move everything on behalf of a relationship can be very trying. It just so happened that Amber’s closest friend was living in Santa Barbara and attending UCSB. This gave her some immediate support and really alleviated some of the pressure of the move. She moved to Santa Barbara in August 2004 and has been here ever since.

I started shopping for a ring in October of last year. My ultimate goal for the proposal was to keep it an absolute secret. I even used a jeweler from out of the area so as not to get caught coming and going. I had many ideas on how to propose and eventually settled on going back to Las Vegas because it’s the city where we met. I booked a hotel room with a huge bathtub and called ahead to the concierge to order a box of rose petals. Amber loves to take baths so I knew it would be easy to talk in her into taking one once we arrived. On our first night at the hotel I was able to slip downstairs, collect the rose petals, order champagne and make two very important phone calls. I called each of her parents to ask their permission to propose to her. They were both very much for it and as excited as I was, we all laughed and shed a few tears over the phone. I had to get myself together as I went back to the room and arranged the rose petals and set up my custom playlist on the iPod. Amber thought it was all very romantic but still had no clue what was about to happen. I told her I had to turn the music up and went to my luggage to retrieve the ring. I’d thought of so many things to say and how I wanted to say them, but at the moment of truth I was so nervous that my mind was completely blank. I eventually just walked straight into the room where she was sitting in the tub, got down on one knee and proposed. I can’t even recall exactly what I said but she was overwhelmed and of course said yes. We both cried some happy tears and just enjoyed the moment. It couldn’t have gone any better in my mind and I’ll never forget it.

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
By far the hardest thing we have had to face as a couple is my battle with cancer over the last year. In February of 2009 I was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. The diagnosis completely shattered our idyllic little life. We rent a small house on the West side of Santa Barbara where we live with our little pound puppy, Allie who we adopted in 2006 and is the joy of our life. I have a wonderful career with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, where I’m lucky to work with some of the best people in the world who are also some of my closest friends. Also, at the time I was secretly shopping for engagement rings and training for my first Ironman triathlon. Amber was working and going back to school and we couldn’t have been any happier. All of that was completely upended when an ultrasound I had on February 3rd confirmed I had cancer. I was in surgery the very next day and that was the beginning of what has been the longest year of our lives. Since that day I have been through six rounds of chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants, three surgeries and spent over 65 days in the hospital. Amber’s been by my side the entire time, spending most nights on the small couch in my hospital room. She is my caregiver, my advocate, my best friend and absolutely the source of my strength. The initial diagnosis was devastating for us but we have pulled together as a team and really battled for the last twelve months. My fiancé is an amazing person and is completely selfless. She has continued to work full time when I’m not in the hospital and is finishing her degree online, often doing her studying in my hospital room. On a typical night she will come home from work, take care of my needs, make dinner and then split firewood all on her own, and she looks great doing it! Whether at home or in the hospital she’s there for me. Amber has taken on more than anyone should ever be asked t!
o and has handled it like a pro. I’ve been lucky to know some amazing people in both; my time in the Fire Service and from all the places I’ve traveled, but the person I admire and respect the most is the woman I’m in love with. I have one more surgery planned for February 11, 2010 to remove tumors from the left side of my chest cavity. All the tumors removed so far have tested negative for active cancer cells and we are confident the next surgery will produce the same result. We have had many emotional ups and downs throughout my illness with the various setbacks, but now the dream of being cancer free, getting back to work and getting back to our lives is right on our fingertips. We know this experience has made us stronger as individuals and as a couple and we are looking forward to putting it behind us as we start a new life together in 2010.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
We believe the key to a successful marriage is communication and compromise. Marriage is a huge commitment and it is inevitable to have disagreements, but being stubborn and sticking to your guns is a luxury for single people. When you are married to someone you have to consider their point of view and be willing to make sacrifices. We have a rule that was handed down to us from Amber’s grandmother and the rule is to never go to bed angry at one another. We always try to resolve our differences before we go to sleep and make sure to say I love you. We have definitely had our ups and downs but thankfully most of our arguments end up with us laughing at each other or whatever it is we were angry about in the first place.

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
I believe we should win the Southern Cal Dream Wedding because Amber is more than the love of my life and I want to make her the happiest bride in the world. I even started playing the lottery in hopes of giving her the wedding she deserves. This is a woman who has saved my life, and she is going to be so gorgeous as a bride. She is so caring and is always putting others before herself. It is my dream to overwhelm her and make our wedding day something more than she could ever imagine by making her the center of attention for once. The cost of our wedding is going to be completely ours and winning the Dream Wedding would allow us to truly make it a fitting celebration of life for our family and friends who have been there for us this past year. I want to thank the Dream Crew and everyone involved for this exciting opportunity. We are keeping our fingers tightly crossed.

Top 5 Announced!

2010-02-12T23:18:00.000-08:00

The Top 5 Dream Couples™ have been chosen for the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway. They consist of the Top 3 couples who got the most public votes and two couples who were randomly chosen this evening at our Top 10 Party and Top 5 Reveal.

I am so happy to announce that the Top 5 Dream Couples™ continuing on the journey to winning the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway are:

Cauline & Ryan (Dream Couple #4)
Linda & Robert (Dream Couple #66)
Maro & Donald (Dream Couple #303)
Amber & Tyler (Dream Couple #533)
Megan & Peter (Dream Couple #600)

Good luck to all our Top 5 Dream Couples™.

Public Voting has ended!

2010-02-12T00:07:00.000-08:00

Public voting for the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Top 10 Dream Couples™ has ended. Thank you to everyone for voting for your favorite couples. We had an amazing turnout of votes...34,029 to be exact! Quite amazing. The Top 3 Couples with the most votes will automatically be part of the Top 5. Two other Dream Couples™, from our Top 10, will be chosen randomly this evening, at our Top 10 Party and Top 5 Reveal Party being held from 6-8PM at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, CA, to complete the Top 5 Dream Couples™. We will post the Top 5 this evening after 9PM. The winner of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway will be notified on Valentine's Day!

Thank you again to everyone for supporting of all our Dream Couples™ as well as this contest. We started out with 615 Dream Couples™, then 10 was left standing. Tonight only 5 will continue on "the road to the aisle" and in the end only one will win the 2010 Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway. Good luck to all our couples and see you at the Borderline!

A New Twist to the Finals Round

2010-02-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

Who will make it to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's Top 3 (pretty obvious from the voting site) but to be fair to the non-computer savvy/social networking couples we have changed it from the Top 3 to the Top 5 ...what?

We felt that couples who were not computer savvy enough to get the number of votes to get to them to the Top 3 (we've had over 27000 votes from unique IP addresses) was at a disadvantage so this is what we are doing. The Top 3 with the top votes will automatically make it to the Top 5. We will then choose 2 couples randomly, live in front of the entire audience, on Friday evening at the Top 10 and Finalist reveal party from the remaining Top 10 Dream Couples™ to complete the Top 5.

We realize that this makes the competition even stiffer for the final interview round because it adds two others to the mix...but competition is a good thing right! Good luck to all the contestants you are all truly deserving of this. Can't wait to see who is announced the winner on Valentine's Day.

Get to know the couples and vote for your favorite at www.socaldreamwedding.com

The Top 10 has been announced...Now it's your turn to choose The Top 3!

2010-02-04T05:17:00.000-08:00

The Top 10 Dream Couples™ have been chosen. Read their stories by scrolling over their photos and clicking on the > in the circle at our official website and get to know them a little better. After reading their incredible stories, go here and vote for your favorite. You will only get to vote once per IP address (or computer).

The three couples with the most public votes will advance as our final Top 3 Dream Couples™ which will be revealed on Friday, February 12, 2010. The three couples will be poised to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway and one of them will be the official first couple to win this once-in-a-lifetime dream wedding provided by over 50 talented wedding and event professionals.

Good luck to all the couples and thank you to the public for helping us choose our Top 3 Dream Couples™!

VOTE HERE

Announcing the Top 10 Dream Couples™

2010-02-03T21:33:00.000-08:00

It was very hard to pick the Top 10 from the slate of 615 contestants. Our announcement is a little later than we had hoped, but we wanted to make sure that we read all the stories and gave all the couples the same chance. The Dream Crew™ has read all of the stories and while we all had our favorites and wish that some of our choices would have made it to the Top 10, the following couples got the most votes from the 50+ Dream Crew Members™.

Here are the Top 10 Couples in order of their couple numbers (according to when we received their entry). You can see there pictures by going to www.socaldreamwedding.com

Tali & Matthew (Dream Couple™ #8), Forest Hills, NY/Albany, CA
Linda & Robert (Dream Couple™ #66), Burbank, CA/North Hollywood, CA
Stephanie & Josue (Dream Couple™ #262), Rialto, CA/San Bernardino, CA
Mai & Brian (Dream Couple #281), Kyle, TX
Maro & Donald (Dream Couple #303) Montelbello, CA/Reseda, CA
Cauline & Ryan (Dream Couple #4) Camarillo, CA (replacement couple as of 2/8/10)
Michele & Tod (Dream Couple #320), Tucson, AZ
Stephanie & Ryan (Dream Couple #360), Exeter, CA/Visalia, CA
Amber & Tyler (Dream Couple #533), Santa Barbara, CA
Megan & Peter (Dream Couple #600), Studio City, CA/Sacramento, CA

Vote for your favorite couple now by clicking here and help them make it to our Top 3 Dream Couples™. One vote per IP address (computer).

Congratulations to our Top 10 and Good Luck in the the next phase to Top 3!

Top 10 Dream Couple™: Mai & Brian (Dream Couple #281)

2010-02-03T18:52:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Mai Thai & Brian Hart

Kyle, Texas
Dream Couple #281

Questions asked to Top 10 Dream Couples™

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?

There are so many options! First, being able to give to a charity would be awesome, but honestly we’d rather start by giving to those who have molded us into people who live by paying it forward---our parents. They deserve everything and we won’t stop until we can really show them how loved they are!

Without a dollar to their name or knowledge of the dominant language, my parents immigrated to this foreign land we call America. They took me when I was barely one month old via tiny boat to escape traumatizing events occurring all around us. I don’t remember the long, trying journey to take me here, but I’ll be forever grateful for the life they’ve worked so hard to give my brother and I. I just want them to finally get their “big break” from all these years of hard work and barely any play. How do we truly repay the ones that have brought us into this world?

Brian’s parents helped us with love and support during some of the most difficult times in our lives. We both believe in a strong family bond and we get along well with each others’ family. Marriage is a serious commitment that scared us both in the past, but somehow the fear disappeared after we found each other. There’s a connection we have that’ll prove that marriages can work and we’re a great representation of that. Brian always says “you’re my heart”, and now I really will be Mai Hart. We can’t wait to start our own family with lots of love and continue to pay it forward for generations to come!

If we could, Brian and I would love to fund the research for diabetes. We’d want to find a better solution to the growing disease that affects so many people these days, including Brian and his father. It takes a strong person to function well everyday with any disease, especially this one. It “isn’t debilitating enough” to keep him from doing the same job as everyone else, but is enough to put him at risk of serious complications daily! It’s important that we know how to better control and prevent diabetes from becoming the majority.

All the sponsors that are joining forces (as Brian and I are) to put together a wedding we can only dream of, need some support too! Everything that goes into making an event successful is incredible, especially for a fantasy wedding that’ll be coordinated in about 4 months!!! I know, I've done it for others and it's so rewarding! It’s not an easy mission. This mirrors the team effort that is involved in a good marriage. We have to work together (compromise) and remember our roles that help balance each others’ strengths and weaknesses. We’d definitely promote all the generous businesses, large and small, that grant the most special day to the beginning of our lives!!

2) What song is your love song?

Mainly because we want to do something fun, “Perhaps” by Cake is a possibility. Well, also because we like the song, it’s a tango, and reminds me of how apprehensive I was to “let my guard down” in the beginning of our relationship. We can be silly and this would be so funny. Though it’s too traditional for us, “More Than Words” by Extreme is a song we like as well. There isn’t just one song, we have collections of music that we adore and remind us of one another. We have a deep appreciation for music and it defines us as a couple.

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?

We want to be able to integrate our cultures into the wedding by incorporating a Chinese tea ceremony and traditional ceremony walking down the aisle. Brian learned Vietnamese before he met my parents for the first time (early in our relationship) to fit in more with family. That’s so awesome of him! He’s truly talented in music (as a drummer), in language (multi-lingual: Spanish, Vietnamese, etc), and the list goes on. As a couple, we’re all about loved ones, great food, awesome music, and enjoying each other’s company!!!! If we have just that and nothing else, we’d be in heaven still. It’s about our families joining to celebrate what will be a beautiful life together. We want to experience the joy that a unique, fun, multi-cultural wedding will bring. Thanks so much for reading our story!!!

Questions asked to all contestants

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
Brian and I met at a party that neither he nor I wanted to go to in the first place (but our friends dragged us out). He came up to me and I mainly gave him a chance so I could kill time til I could find my friend who I lost at the party :P I'm a straightforward, honest & sassy girl who doesn't play games or have a problem saying no to a guy if I'm not interested. I ended up giving him my number since he seemed pretty cool and he called me right the next day to hang out. I accepted, but realized I couldn't remember what he looked like (since it was dark and we were sitting down the whole time). We met up to watch a local band. He brought his friends (a couple) along and that was the only way I could identify him since I remembered them. I lucked out because Brian is tall, handsome, funny, honest & smart. Brian doesn't usually "pick-up" girls, but said that I intrigued him & he found me rather unique. I see him as a gentle, intellectual free-spirit. Neither of us wanted a relationship and remained just friends for the first few months. He let my friend know that he seriously liked me, but he had the "game face" with me so I was clueless besides the fact that my friend kept telling me to give him a chance. We ended up being perfect for each other and began dating in August 2005 after meeting in May. It's been 4 and half years now and he just proposed 2 days ago! We knew we loved each other after only 2 weeks of officially dating, but had many obstacles to jump to get where we are now.

We're unable to keep secrets from each other & it usually serves us well. Unfortunately, he accidentally told me early one morning last week that he got me a ring & one way he was going to propose! He was so upset when I later told him how I already knew about everything because he doesn't remember things when he first wakes up. It was too funny. Well, Brian's mom sent us the Wii (as we requested) to help him & I get fit & back on our feet again after his surgery & my recovery from a spinal infection. Of course, for a sooner, speedier recovery, we'd want to open up the presents before Xmas as soon as we get it. Brian told me that his mom wanted us to videotape ourselves opening the Wii & other gifts so she could see our reactions & to justify us opening up our presents so early. It seemed random, but plausible that she would want us to do that. Brian loves family traditions (which I find adorable) and wanted to introduce the Xmas stocking to me. He says the stockings usually have little gifts that his mom use to let him take out one at a time before Xmas. He videotaped us taking presents out of the stockings & had secretly stuffed mine w/ a special box. It was a beautiful mahogany or cherrywood wooden box that had a bigger surprise in it. I just thought it was a cool box because it didn’t look like a ring box, but got something way better! That's when he proposed. I felt like I could feel his heartbeat & we were both absorbed in the moment. It was so sweet & unexpected! We have to watch the video again since neither of us could remember that intense moment! He says he forgot his pitch line “Will you be Mai Hart?”

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
From the beginning, it was hard because I was going to school, working at least one job & coming home to take care of Brian. He's diabetic (adult onset) & was really trying to adjust to his disease. We had major financial difficulties and he had poor credit for the first year or so since his diabetes put him into debt before he turned 21. He couldn't get a credit card or get a loan. I was stressed, trying to graduate, & it was taking a toll on my mind. A couple with intertwining physical & psychological issues is a complex combination to work with. We had money & domestic problems. All this made it tough for me to handle everything, especially not knowing where this relationship would lead so early on. It was a problem I never expected to have, but somehow wanted to do for him. Issues with whether he can take care of me (and if I can take care of him) is an ongoing concern for us and our loved ones. Our ailments can be all-consuming, so I can understand others' worries.

In January 2009, I got a glimpse of a disability that would later take me out from May until now. Still not knowing how I got it, I had debilitating back pain that radiated into my groin & immobilized me for a few months. We couldn't afford for me the take a leave back in Jan. (as suggested by doctor), but I was forced to do so this past May when I could no longer stand, twist, lift, lie down or anything without extreme back pain & muscle spasms. I had to change the way I did everything, when I was able to move in the first place. Doctors couldn't find what I had, and suggested my only treatment was a shrink. I started doubting my condition and started to believe it was all in my head. I no longer cared what was wrong with me and just wanted to fix it. I was willing to accept that it was a “somatoform” disorder, but requested a CT scan since all other tests were exhausted just to make sure there were no physical issues causing me this agony. Once I finally found out that I had discitis/osteomyelitis in late July, I was started on IV anti-biotics for 6 weeks after two failed biopsies to find the cause to treat the problem. The docs put me on a powerful antibiotic that treated a range of issues just to see if it would work since we had no other options and I wasn’t getting better. During the IV treatment, I suffered from a painful blood clot in my arm & it was swollen & blue the entire time. I was in and out of hospitals like it was my job. This whole experience has been humbling & I cannot take my mobility & health for granted any longer as I did in the past. I always wanted to be toned & healthy, & now feel the motivation to do so since I know what it's like to not be able to do anything. I had no social interaction & became hidden from the world for so long now, it's totally trying on one's mind. At first, I got more depressed, but somewhere down the line, I found great optimism in the experience.

While undergoing all of this, Brian had two outbreaks of his pilonidal cyst that has been ailing him for the past 2 years. He had to get cyst removal surgery & I did his wound care on his tailbone daily while in my back brace. As of now, he's healing from his second surgery for the same recurring issue. It's taking him longer to heal because he's diabetic & he got bronchitis after this second surgery for about a month now. As the craziness continues, Brian found out his father had pancreatic cancer and had to leave work to tend to his father as I had to visit the ER almost weekly for my blood clot in my arm. It was difficult to not only to be stuck in the house all the time, but also to not be able to use my phone to talk to the outside world since I racked up $500 in charges when Brian was in LA to be there for his dad. We went through a lot this year, and deciding to take off for up to a month or more to heal from his own surgery when I haven't brought in any income since May didn’t seem like an option to him. Then he too couldn’t bear his pain any longer, and had to go through with his emergency surgery in mid November. Now, we are both slowly recovering from our ailments, but expect for this to be an outstanding upcoming year. I learned so much through this disability period as did Brian. I do believe everything happens for a reason, & after such a bad year, 2010 has to be awesome!

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
Honesty, respect & loyalty are extremely important for a relationship to work out. He makes me feel secure and treats me like a goddess. Brian's never mistreated me and is consistently loving all the time. I never thought that was possible and I couldn't have imagined a better man. I try to check and massage his feet everyday since it’s important to notice when it comes to diabetes. Compromise, commitment, and trust are also significant. I don't trust people much, but he's truly earned my devotion. We believe that there will always be more or less attractive people than ourselves, and we rest on the fact that beauty fades, so the relationship has to be strong for it to last. A couple needs to want the same things in life, to work towards the same goal, and to want that other person there beside them. As long as we both remember that we have to work hard at everything we want in life, including relationships (no matter who it's with), then we will be committed to making things work! We both want love, family, comfort, food & the arts (music, painting/photography) along with each other. As long as we have that, then everything else good is a bonus. We joke about remembering that guys are "stupid", and girls are "crazy" so don’t take small things too seriously. It seems to hold true :P He also says that we were made for each other because I'm the most difficult person in the world and he's the most patient!

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
We deserve to win this because we are madly in love and have wanted to get married since the beginning. The love we have for each other fuels our drive to live. Despite all the difficulties, we saw what was really important (our families and each other). When times get rough, neither of us gives up. We grow stronger and deal with it together. Learning from each other keeps us balanced. We’ve stuck together through all the hardships and will continue to do so til death do us part. I want to take Brian to the state where I grew up, a place he and I love, Southern Cali. I want to have the best celebration of our lives and for our loved ones to be a part of it. A wedding in Southern California is a dream come true because my whole family would be able to join us. My elderly grandfather (the only grandparent I’ve ever known) can be there. Without the funds and this opportunity, I wouldn’t be able to have my dream wedding and the day would be completely different without my family from Cali. It’d be too expensive to fly so many people to us, so we want to go to them. The truth is that I just wish our wedding experience will be a joyful time and not another stress to add to our list of adversity. We are hard-working survivors that've been through hell and back. I think we need and deserve a break. Please consider us!

Top 10 Dream Couple™: Tali & Matthew (Dream Couple #8)

2010-02-03T18:30:00.001-08:00

Dream Couple™: Tali Weininger & Matthew Klein Morand
Albany, California & Forest Hills, New York
Dream Couple #8

Questions asked to the Top 10 Dream Couples™

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?
How would we pay it forward? Is there any real way to do so that would be good enough? Recently, we found out that an organization we attend has been trying to help others who cannot financially subsidize there own wedding is trying to help people out. They do this by members providing things for the wedding. We plan on becoming actively involved in this whether we win the Southern California Dream Wedding™ or not. Especially now, knowing how it feels to be a finalist...there is nothing more rewarding than helping others to feel this way.

2) What song is your love song?

Our love song is called Mimamakim by the Idan Reichel Project. This song is a Hebrew song. Why is this our love song? Simple...they explain our life to the explicit detail. These lyrics were both of our dreams. They expressed the type of person we would want to make us feel this way. It became our song before we met each other and helped us to realize that we were meant to be because secretly we both wished to find someone that made us feel that way...Now we have. The lyrics are as follows:

From the depths I called out to you
Come to me
Upon your return, the light will return to my eyes
I’m not finished, I’m not leaving the touch of your hands
May it come and light up to the sound of your laughter
From the depths I called out to you
Come to me
Against the moon that lights your way back to me
They spread out and melted against the touch of your hands
In your ears I whisper, and ask
Who’s that calling out to you tonight, listen up
Who sings out loud to you, to your window
Who gave his soul so you’d be happy
Who will give a hand and build your home
Who will give his life, and put it beneath yours
Who will live as dust beneath your feet
Who will love you more than all other loves
Who will save you from every living spirit
From the depths…
From the depths I called out you
Come to me
Against the moon that lights your way back to me
They spread out and melted against the touch of your hands
In your ears I whisper, and ask
Who’s that calling out to you tonight, listen up
Who sings out loud to you, to your window
Who gave his soul so you’d be happy
Who will give a hand and build your home
Who will give his life, and put it beneath yours
Who will live as dust beneath your feet
Who will love you more than all other loves
Who will save you from every living spirit
From the depths…

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?
This question is just too hard to ask. Having each other means more than anything else. If we had to pick one thing, we would say having some of the cultural traditions including flying in some of Tali's relatives from Israel to be at and even officiate the wedding!

Questions asked to all contestants

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
They say that when God creates your soul, He splits it in half. One half goes to you and one half goes to your soul mate. Tali and I are celebrating the re-attachment of two pieces of the soul. Our story began with a simple dream. Both of us dreamed that we would find the person to fill that empty spot in our separate lives. Since the moment we met, we never wanted to be apart. And...apart is what we have been!

One December evening, I was spending time with a friend of mine and he said, "Matthew, you should try a dating website. You seem to be too vain in what you look for." I laughed at the thought. Then he showed me his profile and then proceeded to show me pictures of some of the women. I was floored! I saw this one picture of this woman and I remember my heart skipping a beat. I took out my credit card, created a profile as quickly as I could, and immediately instant messaged her. All of these things very outside of the norm for me. I wrote, "SO I just spent 39.99 to talk to you...you have to answer me back."

After waiting for what seemed like hours, she responded! After a short conversation on the computer we switched over to the telephone. I remember the trepidation I felt when I picked up the phone to call her. My heart was in my throat. As the conversation moved forward it was uncanny how much we had in common. Then the impossible happened. She said, "You know Matthew. I'm waiting for the man who will want to dance with me to the same song as I want at my wedding. You wouldn't know it though, it's in Hebrew. I said, "Well Tali, embarrassingly enough, I have only wanted one thing regarding my wedding. My only wish is to dance with a woman that I think exemplifies my favorite song." She said, "That's amazing! But...you can't possibly know this song because you don't speak Hebrew." Little did Tali know, that although I did not speak Hebrew, the song I had in my mind was a Hebrew song!

I became a little nervous and suspect. She was about to tell me the name of the song and I cut her off. "Wait Tali, let me sing a song to you in Hebrew first." I began to sing this song along with a CD over the phone. This was the song I have thought I would get married to. The lyrics are as follows:

From the depths I called out to you
Come to me
Upon your return, the light will return to my eyes
I’m not finished, I’m not leaving the touch of your hands
May it come and light up to the sound of your laughter
From the depths I called out to you
Come to me
Against the moon that lights your way back to me
They spread out and melted against the touch of your hands
In your ears I whisper, and ask
Who’s that calling out to you tonight, listen up
Who sings out loud to you, to your window
Who gave his soul so you’d be happy
Who will give a hand and build your home
Who will give his life, and put it beneath yours
Who will live as dust beneath your feet
Who will love you more than all other loves
Who will save you from every living spirit
From the depths…
From the depths I called out you
Come to me
Against the moon that lights your way back to me
They spread out and melted against the touch of your hands
In your ears I whisper, and ask
Who’s that calling out to you tonight, listen up
Who sings out loud to you, to your window
Who gave his soul so you’d be happy
Who will give a hand and build your home
Who will give his life, and put it beneath yours
Who will live as dust beneath your feet
Who will love you more than all other loves
Who will save you from every living spirit
From the depths…

There was only the sound of tears at the end. She was crying. She said, "Matthew, that is the song I was talking about."

With that, things began. A long distance relationship from New York to California. Collectively we could have put a small down payment on a private jet with all the traveling back and forth from California to New York and vice versa. Every delayed flight, every extravagance skipped over in order to save money to see one another, every sleepless night wondering when we would be with each other was all worth it to get to this point. However, our story has just begun. The first time Tali and I met, we looked in each other’s eyes and I started to laugh and promptly said, “We are so together, I just know it.” Since that moment we have stayed exactly as such and will forever continue to do so. We spent our first few dates exploring the streets of San Francisco, eating at the best restaurants, drinking some fine champagne and dancing on a rotating rooftop overlooking San Francisco.

California really work for the money, trolley cars and the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory, Sea Lions at Fisherman’s Wharf and how much I loved spending time in a place that wasn’t freezing in January. The dates moved to New York where Tali experienced the fast paced lifestyle of New York City life, her favorite Broadway show Grease, an unreal dinner at John’s Pizza (if you haven’t tried it you haven’t lived) and me darting in and out of traffic on crowded city streets.
Eventually the relationship progressed, and we had to settle down and meet the families. All I have to say is, “Wow, we are lucky.” I love her sister Shiri, brother Etai, and parents Tsipi and Yehudi! Tali can’t get enough of my mom Gig, dad Steve, brothers Ricky, and Nicholas and of course my sister Meegan. Not to mention all the extended family and friends! What else could be more perfect! So…someone had to make the move. Tali is a champ. She decided that she would try out New York.

I can’t appreciate anything as much as the sacrifice Tali is making for me. However, I'm not surprised. I believe that Tali is a cut above the rest. I plan to spend the rest of my life showing her how much I appreciates her sacrifice.

I proposed to Tali in Central Park. I had a sketch artist draw our pictures beforehand unbeknownst to her. Then we walked down the street and I walked over to him. I asked him how much it would cost to sketch us. Then I asked him to show us an example. When he turned the example around it was a picture of us and the ring with the words, "Will you marry me?" underneath. I got down on one knee and asked for her hand. Best day of my life.

That brings us to now. Wedding plans? That's where we need help. All of our money was spent on traveling to see each other. Our families unfortunately are not in the position to help. We have had a bi-coastal relationship but we can only have a wedding in one place. Tali moved for me. I just want her to have her one moment. Although plans are very slowly moving in motion, what is happening though is that we are truly enjoying our engagement and the love and support of all of everyone. I hope you enjoyed our story and can only hope that if you don’t already, one day you will find a love like we have for one another. Our empty spot is filled. The soul is re-attached.

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
That is easy. The hardest thing to date has been the move to New York for Tali and transition. New York is a very expensive place to live, and therefore, once rent is paid, it is really hard to save and get by in general. Tali has been working so hard to find a job and it has been very difficult. Although she was a special education teacher in California, her certification has not gone through yet. She still has a different credentialing process to complete. She is so close with her family and being away from them has truly hurt her.

However, it was a smarter move for her to come here. I'm settled in my position as a school psychologist and she is just getting started. It doesn't make it any easier or fair though and she bears the brunt of it all. New York can be a hard city to become acclimated to. However, when you have a family like hers you lose a piece of yourself when you leave. I began working a second job just to afford the flights to send her back to California each month to see her family. She deserves it. However, it has been a very trying time for the both of us.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
Open communication is the key to a healthy marriage. You know they say each person needs to give 50 percent of themselves in the marriage to create the full 100 percent. I think they got it wrong. I believe each person needs to give 100 percent of themselves for a healthy marriage. Half of you is not enough, you need to be fully committed to your loved one. Only with open communication, trust, honesty and respect can a marriage blossom.

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
Why do we deserve this? I am sure there are many deserving people. When you have so many people from differing places coming together for one event it is very difficult to afford. This woman gave up her life for me, and I only want to give her the best life I can. I feel she deserves the most amazing wedding as well. There aren't many people like Tali. She gives of herself to every person there is, no questions asked. She never turns her back and always puts everyone before herself. She says the same about me. It would be nice for us to finally have something special done for us. Most importantly though, for what she has done for me, no one could be more deserving than her. Good people deserve to be rewarded somewhere don't they? Why not her. I know I can never afford to give her the wedding of her dreams, but with your help, I know I can. She's my everything, a princess who has always lived her life for others. My princess should finally be treated as such.

Top 10 Dream Couple™: Michele & Tod (Dream Couple #320)

2010-02-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Michele Hedlund & Tod Richetti
Tucson, Arizona
Dream Couple #320

Questions asked to the Top 10 Dream Couples™

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?

Winning the So. Cal. Dream Wedding Giveaway would be such a blessing to us and others in more ways than one! First, a little background is necessary to explain how such a prize could possibly help more than is obvious. We are currently working towards our dreams of moving to Colorado to work on a horse ranch which offers riders of all levels and abilities a unique learning experience. The ranch owner is also creating a horse ranch in the Dominican Republic and could use Tod’s help there in the building of cabanas. We had tickets in hand for Tod to go to the ranch for a visit on Feb. 18^th with a group of friends who were vacationing when the devastating earthquake hit Haiti. Now, Tod has the opportunity to work with an organization building schools in Haiti and the Dominican along with the group of friends who have changed their vacation plans to more of a philanthropic endeavor. Tod’s trip is scheduled to last 10 days.

If we were to win the Dream Wedding Giveaway, it would allow us the financial freedom for Tod to perhaps stay longer or make another trip to Haiti and the Dominican to help a worthy cause; and me the freedom of time and financial freedom to continue working as a caregiver to Shirley, our dear friend suffering from Alzheimer’s. To us, both are big “Pay it Forwards”.

2) What song is your love song?

This was a hard one to answer, there are so many good ones. Honestly, we didn’t really have a love song until recently. This past December we made the trip to Colorado to meet Daniel, the owner of Grey Wolf Ranch, and stayed in one of the guest cabins. After spending some beautiful moments in the snow and riding horses, meeting Daniel and discussing the possibilities, we were enjoying time in the cabin in front of the wood burning stove. I had some new music playing, Simple Things by Jim Brickman, as we talked about our hopes and dreams. The music was perfectly inspiring and heartfelt and seemed meant for us to hear for the first time that evening. The title track from that c.d. fits us perfectly.

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?

Having our friends and family there is the most important thing, as well as having Mel give me away. The Rancho de las Palmas’ location is perfect as it is centrally located for our friends and relatives in California and not too far for those from out of state.

Questions asked to all contestants

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
The first time Tod and I met, we were at our mutual neighbor's and she had borrowed the electronic game called 'Q' from one of her elementary school students. This game is like '100 questions' and attempts to guess the noun that you are thinking of. We chose "love" and weren't too surprised to find that "Q" couldn't guess it since love is so ubiquitous and difficult to define. Although Tod and I were attracted to each other from first glance, I wasn't ready, nor sure, if I were able to fall in love again due to a previous heartbreak. Tod and I remained friends and neighbors for about 6 months before starting to date.

When Tod did ask me out and gave me his phone number, shocked was I to find out that the last four digits of his number were the same as the man's number who broke my heart. I wasn't sure if this was a good sign or a bad one, though wanted to find out. I was always looking for signs or indicators from the universe that I was heading in the right direction. At that time, and during the relationship which led to heartbreak, almost anything could be conjured into a sign of some sort. Two birds seen flying together nearby would be a sign of true love, while three could perhaps be a sign of unfaithfulness. What I felt about those 4 numbers were that they dialed up love, and that the love felt previously by dialing those numbers could be reached again. Of course, Tod is a completely different person than the previous love, which kept me questioning and doubting if we were meant to be together. This vacillation between "yes, I love you" and "oh, I'm not so sure" lasted well throughout the first three years of our relationship to the detriment of going forward and making a commitment to each other. Let's face it, that word 'commitment' can simultaneously wrench your gut with fear and also be your heart's desire, such as love.

Though Tod's first proposal came within our first year together, it has taken me an additional three to realize our love has always been there ready for me take it...and he has always desired me to give my love unabashedly in return. But, we both kept holding back. While looking for signs that I could change to my whimsy and mood, I was holding my love back like a guarded treasure. Then I realized that just like love, Tod was always there ready with love and affection. It was almost like waking up and seeing him for the first time for all that he has been to me, a friend, a confidant, a lover. We've been living together for three years and dating for four.

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
Sadly, we have experienced the loss of Tod's stepfather, who had been a strong influence in his life. Additionally, we have some "older" friends who are more like family that are dealing with the ravages of Alzheimer's disease in the wife. Tod and I have adopted them as "parents / grandparents" as they have in return, and I've asked the husband, Mel, to give me away at the wedding planned for next year. The two didn't have any children, and I am estranged from my father, so it's only fitting that he should walk me down the aisle.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
One key to a healthy relationship is to know that every relationship is like a garden and takes attention and care to see growth.

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
Neither Tod or I believed we would get married. Then, of course, we found each other. We are two hard-working individuals. I am working as a care giver to our friend Shirley, who has Alzheimer's, and Tod is finding as much work as he can as a private builder/handyman. Tod is very talented as a renovator and wood worker, though with the slow economy, we've been just getting by from month to month let alone save money for a wedding. We would be happy having a small, minimal wedding, then it sure would be great to really celebrate something good with our family after such a devastating last year and the loss of Tod's stepfather. Many of Tod's friends and family are delighted that such an eligible bachelor is finally getting married, and Mel is so looking forward to giving me away, that a dream wedding would be a great surprise for me and everyone. Tod has many friends and family in California and we would have a great time! Please pick us!

Top 10 Dream Couple™: Stephanie & Ryan (Dream Couple #360)

2010-02-03T18:15:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Stephanie Southworth & Ryan McNulty
Exeter, California & Visalia, California
Dream Couple #360

Questions asked to Top 10 Dream Couples™

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?
If we were to win this dream wedding, we wouldn't have to worry about how to pay for our own wedding and we could use the money we are saving to help someone very dear to us. The person we would pay it forward to would be my cousin. She has been happily married for five years and they are now trying to conceive a child. It's been difficult for them and there have been complications. They are now incurring costly doctor visits and testing and are paying out of pocket because insurance won’t cover it. My cousin is the hardest working, most dedicated person I know and she deserves the world. I would love to be able to help her and pay it forward, hoping one day soon she’ll be able to announce that she’s finally pregnant!

2) What song is your love song?
As for mine and Ryan’s song, we’ve chosen “You and Me” by Lifehouse for our first dance. It’s been our special song since the beginning of our relationship, but the real love song is more like a song to him, it’s called “Push” by Sarah McLaughlin. Ryan is so good to me through all of our ups and downs and he never gives in to anger, a quality I wish I could possess. The lyrics are amazingly accurate in describing our relationship, as if it were written just for us and I couldn’t have written it better myself, “Every time I look at you the world just melts away, all my troubles, all my fears, dissolve in your affection; you see me at me weakest but you take me as I am, when I fall, you offer me a softer place to land…I get mad so easy but you give me room to breath, no matter what I say or do ‘cause you’re too good to fight about it, even when I have to push just to see how far you’ll go, you won’t stoop to battle but you never turn to go”. Ryan knows my every thought; he is my strength and my inspiration. I think maybe I’ll sneak this song in right after our first dance; one song isn’t long enough anyway for me to hold him while we dance!

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?
It’s difficult to name just one thing above all the rest that will make our wedding day memorable but it comes down to the simple union that we will create that day. For me, I think the dream of standing there, holding Ryan’s hands, looking into his beautiful blue eyes and listening to him recite his vows to me will be the most memorable thing. I can only imagine it right now, but when it finally happens, it will be a memory that I’ll hold close to my heart forever. I wanted to get a candid answer from Ryan, so I asked him this question out of the blue without him knowing it was a question for the Dream Wedding. His answer was so simple and sincere; he looked at me, smiled and said, “When you say I DO”.

Questions asked to all contestants

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
Once Upon A Time…
Ryan and Stephanie met in an unconventional little place called MySpace. (Mind you, this is NEVER the way we planned to meet our life mates). Ryan sought out his soul mate and searched page upon page of unworthy peasants before he finally found his princess. He wrote her a love letter and she graciously accepted his courtship.

Stephanie entertained her suitor and allowed him to enchant her with his beautiful blue eyes and gorgeous smile. After almost two frustrating weeks of waiting (yes, two weeks), Princess Stephanie received her magical first kiss and thus, the two fell in love…

For their engagement, Ryan took Stephanie to a quaint little place in Cambria called Moonstone Beach. True to its name, there were millions of Moonstones on the beach to which they set out to find. It was a misty, overcast afternoon but the weather was perfect. Ryan and Stephanie sat on the beach, sifting through rocks, finding lots of moonstones. Ryan, a wee bit more enthusiastic about finding Moonstones, ended up waaaay down the beach. Stephanie, feet sore from the pebbles, and pockets bulging with Moonstones, set out after him.

When she finally caught up to him, the sun was setting and Ryan, pretending he was still looking for moonstone, sifted through pebbles as he crouched on one knee. Still kneeling down on one knee with a handful of Moonstones, he asked Stephanie to pick out a stone from his hand.

Stephanie graciously declined his offer because she had two pocketfuls of Moonstones and couldn't possibly fit another stone in her pocket. Ryan insisted she pick a stone from his hand and again, she politely declined. With a third attempt, Ryan insisted once again and said, "Stephanie, will you just pick one!" The mischievous grin on his face caused Stephanie to become suspicious. As she carefully peered down into his hand, she saw the glimmer of a diamond beneath the stones.

Ryan, however, still had cause for concern. After finally convincing Stephanie to look into his hand, she still had not picked out the stone. Stephanie stood there, shocked, looking into the hand of her kneeling boyfriend, with a smile on her face…"Well, will you marry me!?" he asked. Stephanie suddenly broke free from her trance dropped to her knees and threw her arms around Ryan's neck and said "YES!"

The ring, of course was enchanted, as fairytales often are. You see, the ring was seventy-one years old and had been worn by Stephanie's grandmother for over sixty-three years! With that, Ryan slipped the dainty ring onto her finger and said he would spend the rest of his live loving her…

…and they'll live happily ever after.

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
Ryan is a fireman, and I am a deputy sheriff. We are best friends and try to do everything together. Wherever or whatever we do, we always choose each other as the one to come along. With our shift schedules and long hours and lots of overtime, we don't get to see each other as much as we'd like. I'm lonely without him and my heart sinks when I can't see him or hear his sweet voice.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
What will make our marriage successful is the honesty and patience we have for each other. We respect one another, understand one another and have very open lines of communication. We will never go to be mad at each other and when possible, we always say "I love you" before we go to sleep.

Ryan is amazing, loving, loyal, faithful, unselfish, devoted, kind, gentle, generous, sensitive, thoughtful, patient, supportive, encouraging and breathtakingly handsome!
All I can say is that God controlled the timing in which He brought us together. It makes me think of that song that says, “God bless the broken road that led me straight to you”. Ryan and I went through a lot before we met each other and everything we experienced helped prepare us for falling in love with one another. I love you Ryan!

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
Ryan and I work so hard and neither of us is employed by good paying agencies. We are just thankful to have jobs right now in this economy. We've talked about having a traditional ceremony but know that our money is better spent elsewhere. I discuss this issue with my friends and it's uncanny how many ask me the same question, "If you won $20,000 today, how much would you spend on the wedding?" My tear-filled response is "probably none". I need a reliable vehicle that won't leave me stranded anymore, we both need to pay off student loans, and we need to put money away for retirement. We think practically about where money should be spent and feel guilty spending so much for a wedding. I should just be happy I've found a wonderful man to share the rest of my life with; it breaks my heart thinking that we might not have a wedding celebration. I've always wanted a beautiful wedding with a pretty gown to feel like a princess. I'm only getting married once and I've already found my Prince Charming, now all I need is a "royal ball" in which to celebrate.

PS: 27 just happens to be my lucky number! :)

Top 10 Dream Couple™: Stephanie & Josue (Dream Couple #262)

2010-02-03T18:01:00.000-08:00

Dream Couple™: Stephanie Farley & Josue Zapata
San Bernardino, California & Rialto, California
Dream Couple #262

Questions asked to Top 10 Dream Couples™

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?
Although difficult to answer a question like this without sounding fake, we would do what's within our reach as newlyweds. We are both involved in our churches and would volunteer to our communities through our churches outreach missions, and both being animal lovers we would volunteer at our local animal shelters. We would also donate the flowers and center pieces to a local hospital so someone else could enjoy them as much as we did. We would never forget the blessing that we received so we would do our best to pass on a blessing to those around us and remind them to pay it forward.

2) What song is your love song?
Our love song is Daniel Beddingfield's "If Your Not The One" Because while I was in boot camp a specific line in the song made me feel not so far away from Stephanie. "...and though I cant be with you tonight, you know my heart is by your side."

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?
The one thing that would make our wedding day memorable would be to know that from that day forward we'll be able to say goodnight to each other at the end of the day and not have to leave each other.

Questions asked to all contestants

Tell us your Dream Couple™ Story (how you met, the engagement, etc. We want the full scoop).
Stephanie and I first met in high school in 2002, she was a senior and I was a junior. For that whole year I had a crush on her but wouldn't tell her. My senior year I decided to tell her, only to find out that she had felt the same way. That was a great surprise to me! We got together and I knew immediately that I was going to marry her. I couldn't have asked for anyone better. Seven years later, I am happier than I was when we first got together.

When I proposed to Stephanie I made sure to do it right. It took about a month to plan out, but definitely worth it. I had all three of her sisters and my sister go with me to help me pick out a ring. I reserved the Rose Garden at the park that we always go to, and because I knew it’s what she always wanted I made sure that her whole family and mine were there (talk about doing the impossible). In all the years that we had been going to the park we had never once gone inside the rose garden, because it's usually closed to the public. It’s only used by reservation for venues. I called Stephanie’s boss about a month in advance to make sure he would let her off early --which he was more than willing to do-- and also made sure that her family and mine got off of work early. I had my sister and her husband (my brother in-law) get there early and get things ready. My brother in-law is a cook so he made three big fruit platters for everyone who was going to be there.

When Stephanie got off of work --to her surprise, early-- she came to my house. She was under the impression that we were going to a show in San Diego somewhere and that my sister and her husband were going with us and that we were meeting them at their house. One of the things that has been the most impossible for me to do is to surprise Stephanie, she some how always finds out. This was a surprise I refused to let her find out. I told her "bring a sweater and what ever you do, don't wear shorts." The funniest thing about it was that I proposed in August, so it was still really warm outside and she actually wore a sweater. Anyways, she gets to my house in a sweater and pants and we hopped in my car and headed for the park. My sister had been calling me for the last hour telling me who was already there and who still hadn't shown up. So she calls me when we are about 3 minutes away from the park pretending to cancel this show we were going to and that we should at least still come over for dinner, when she was of course actually calling to tell me everyone was there and they were all hiding and ready. It couldn't have worked out better. I told Stephanie we were going to need to cancel but maybe another time so she was upset of course. I told her we would still go to my sisters for dinner but that we had a few minutes to kill so we would stop at the park.

We pulled up to our regular parking spot and started walking. We got closer to the Rose Garden and we passed the two tables that had the fruit platters on them, Stephanie didn't even notice. I said to her that it looked like the garden was open and that we should go in. She of course says that its not because it never is, but then she saw it was open, we went in. The garden was beautiful; we walked down the long walk way lined with roses to the gazebo at the end. Earlier in the day I gave the ring to one of my friends Isaac and told him to make sure the ring was in the gazebo before we get there, and it was. When we got to the gazebo I quickly looked for the ring where I told Isaac to hide it, I grabbed it and put it behind my back. My heart was pounding!!! I made sure that her back was to the entrance of the garden and then I gave her what seemed like an awkwardly long hug. I did that because while I had her back to the entrance of the garden everyone was supposed to walk in, which they did. What happened next was completely unexpected. Stephanie says to me, "Baby, your heart is pounding really hard, are you OK?" I held back a laugh and said that I was just really tired. I would not stop hugging her until both families were close enough. Stephanie says to me "Josue, seriously your heart is really pounding hard, do you need to sit down?" Finally both families were in place! I made it clear to her that I was looking past her so that she would look behind her. I let go as she turned to see what was behind her. As she turned to see both her and my family standing there she quickly turned back to me as if to ask what was going on, only to find me on my knee holding out her ring. I wanted to say so much, how happy she had made me, that I loved her so much. But all the tears let me say was, "I love you Stephanie, will you marry me?" With a very enthusiastic and tear filled eyes I got my answer, "Yes." We ate, and spent the rest of the day together.

Tell us about the hardest thing you as a couple have had to face to date.
When Stephanie and I first got together in May of 2003, I was enlisted to join the United States Marine Corps for four years. Two months and eleven days later I left for boot camp. I fell in love even more with her when she said she'd wait for me. I have never experienced anything in my life more difficult than being away from Stephanie. Boot camp would have been easier, but unfortunately that did not work out. About half way through boot camp I was released on a medical discharge. I was told that if I stayed in boot camp I would end up in a wheel chair. Although I lost a dream of mine, I was thrilled to wake from the nightmare of being away from Stephanie.

Tell us about what you think is the key to a successful marriage.
Love and communication have been the key to Stephanie’s and my relationship. It will be the foundation to our marriage.

Tell us why you deserve to be the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Couple™.
Stephanie and I have been through a lot. We've both had loses and gains. But financially this wedding would be one of the best things that could ever happen to us. Although we both work hard, it has been a struggle to save for this wedding. Stephanie’s parents we're going to be able to help us, but then her dad was diagnosed with cancer of the stomach and had to have his entire stomach removed. Needles to say, it's not cheap for that kind of surgery and follow up treatments. My parents unfortunately had to file for bankruptcy in this past year due to the economy. When I asked Stephanie's parents for permission to marry their daughter I promised them I would work hard to provide for her and that I would give her everything I possibly could. Filling out an entry form to give her the wedding of her dreams is something I can definitely do.

Today is the Last Day to enter the Contest

2010-01-31T09:03:00.001-08:00

Today is officially the last day to enter the contest. The Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway officially ends at 11:59PM PT Tonight, 1/31/10. If you have not received an email confirming that we have received your entry, than we did not receive your entry or your entry was incomplete. All officially entered contestants were notified by email that we received their entry form.

The TOP 10 Dream Couples™ will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. We will be contacting all the Top 10 couples on 2/2/10 to see if they are still interested in the contest and will also ask them to answer 3 more questions. The three questions will be:

1) If you were to win the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway, what would you do to pay it forward?

2) What songs is your love song?

3) What is the one thing that would make your wedding day memorable to you as a couple?

Good luck to all the contestants. Thank you for making this such a successful giveaway!

Remainder of Dream Couple Stories will not be posted but still in the running.

2010-01-25T19:11:00.000-08:00

Due to the overwhelming number of entries that we have received in the last two weeks, entries received from January 11, 2010 to January 31, 2010 will not be publicly posted on our website or blogs. All entries will automatically be sent to the Dream Crew™ who will be choosing the Top 10 finalist for consideration. Since January 11th we have received over 200 entries bringing the total number of contestants to over 600 couples. Every entry regardless of being posted or not are being considered and the couples presence on the website is not an indicator of who will be considered for the Top 10 slots. Top 10 contestants will be announced on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 and will be posted on this page. Thank you for your patience and understanding, but this contest has expected all our expectations on the number of contestants we would receive Every contestant in the running for the Top 10 and who is not posted on this site will be notified by email, by January 31, 2010, that if we have received your entry.

The reason for this change is that we are just unable to merge the photos and format stories in a timely manner. And to edit and post over 200 stories before the deadline would not be feasible, so we are emailing all the individual stories to the 50+ Dream Crew members to read on their own and to consider for the Top 10.

Thank you.

Dream Sponsor: Vatana Watters (Watters)

2009-10-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

The Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is excited to announce that legendary bridal gown company, Watters, is our official Dream Brides'™ wedding gown designer and one of our fabulous Dream Sponsors™.

Since Watters first launched more than 20 years ago, Watters has received many design awards for innovation, as well as rave reviews in the press. Founder and designer Vattana Watters draws inspiration from her Thai heritage, her experience on both the West and East coasts, and the spirit of the times. That means her gowns are both modern and feminine, luxurious yet relatable. (And they’ve been worn by more than one savvy celebrity!)

From a sassy lace mini to a lavish tiered organza gown with a chapel train. Each Watters Brides collection includes a variety of styles that reflects the different personalities of the women who will wear them. Watters Brides also includes plus sizes and plenty of designs for curvy figures. Watters Brides is so popular, that they’ve launched a jewelry collection, bridesmaids, flower girl dresses and more. Watters also answers the need for budget-challenged brides to find quality, well-made fashion for a lower price by launching WTOO, bridal gowns under $1000. It’s no wonder that so many real brides are fans of this wedding gown designer!

Watters Brides and designer Vatana Watters in collaboration with Lili Bridals and Formals, will be doing a private trunk show for the Dream Bride™, where she will get to meet Vatana Watters and have a personal fitting with the celebrated gown couturier. The Dream Bride™ will get to experience Watters Brides latest and hottest wedding dresses and get the celebrity treatment that every bride deserves. Additionally, the Dream Bride™ will walk away with her dream gown courtesy of Watters Brides, Vatana Watters, and Lili Bridals and Formals, with an estimated value of $1500!

Please welcome Watters Brides and Vatana Watters as a Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Sponsor!

Watters
www.watters.com

Dream Crew™ Member: Dominique Colell (Images In Ice)

2009-10-19T20:01:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Dominique Colell, is the owner and ice sculpture artist for Images in Ice and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official ice sculpture guru.

Dominique founded Images in Ice after catapulting her ice carving career on the stage of Miss California, being the first and only pageant title holder to use ice carving as her talent. Since then, she has used her ice carving performance skills to open for Chris LaDoux, The Great Divide, Hootie and the Blowfish and Peabo Bryson. As a delivery business, Images in Ice sculptures have adorned events for such companies as JD Powers, the Hearst Castle, The Ronald Reagan Library and many other corporate and non-profit companies.

As much as she loves' providing her art for celebrities and companies, Dominique's favorite events are weddings, because they bring a shimmering touch of elegance to every couples special day. Dominique and her crew will be featured in an upcoming special for TLC (The Learning Channel) tentatively called "Icing".

We are so excited to have Dominique as part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™. Her presence and her ability to charm anyone with her personality and her art is just what we wanted in our crew members. She will definitely bring the "ice" to the Dream Couples™ special day! We can hardly wait to see the fantastic piece that our "ice princess" is gonna create for the dream wedding.

Please welcome Dominique Colell to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Dominique Colell
www.imagesinice.net
images_in_ice@yahoo.com
(805) 822-9828

Dream Crew Members: David Vito & The Morgan Sisters

2009-10-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ members, David Vito Gregoli, Michele Morgan, & Melanie Morgan, are known as the dynamic musical geniuses behind David Vito & The Morgan Sisters. They are also Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official ceremony musicians. They will be offering a unique blend of guitar, violins, and vocals to our Dream Couple's ceremony...it'll be a musical treat for all the guests!

David Vito is a Composer/Producer/Multi Instrumentalist. His music is diverse & intense as well as passionate and romantic. He has been featured, musically, in TV, Film and Theater and has collaborated with such rock legends as Jon Anderson of Yes and Bill Champlin of Chicago.

Michele and Melanie, have recently released their CD, Winter, Snow and Strings, which features the sweet, buttery tones of Michele’s 1824 French violin, which stand out beautifully on the solo lines above the deep, rich sound of Melanie’s 1684 Dutch instrument on the harmonies and counter melodies. Together in every aspect of their musical expression, the two sisters create the effect on the ear of one violin with eight strings and one heart with two voices.

Together David Vito & The Morgan Sisters provide such a wonderful musical collaboration and a unique spin to the classic trio. The Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is so excited to have them as part of the Dream Crew™ for the lucky Dream Couple's™ wedding day. We can't wait to have them serenade our bride as she walks down the aisle...it will be a moment of pure bliss!

Please welcome David Vito & The Morgan Sisters to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

David Vito Gregoli
www.davigimusic.com/MusicForEvents.html
granoli@davigimusic.com
(310) 319-1575
www.DharmapalaRecords.com
www.myspace.com/davidvgregoli

Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Officially Begins!

2009-10-18T00:01:00.001-07:00

The Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is officially open! We look forward to hearing your Dream Couple™ stories. Please enter at our official contest website at www.socaldreamwedding.com

Let the Road to the Aisle Begin!

Dream Sponsor™: Lisa Litt (Lili Bridals & Formals)

2009-10-17T07:20:00.001-07:00

Dream Sponsor™, Lisa Litt, is the current proprietor of Lili Bridals & Formals, which is affectionately named after her grandmother. Lili Bridals and Formals is also the official outfitter of our Dream Bride™. Lisa is Lili Bridals & Formals will be providing the Dream Bride™ with her couture gown. Lisa has arranged for a special trunk show, in February, by one of her well-known designers so that the bride can choose her dream gown.

Lisa's family has owned and operated Lili Bridals & Formals for 43 years and has been dressing bridal parties from all over Southern California and beyond. Customers come to Lili Bridals & Formals for the warm, friendly atmosphere, the excellent service, and the huge selection of formal gowns. We love the framed black & white stills from the television blockbuster Friends that hang on the wall behind the front counter—all the gals are dressed in bridal gowns, including a very pregnant Phoebe, Lili Bridals & Formals provided the gowns for the Friends episode, "The One with the Wedding Dresses." Lisa acknowledges that her store is a favorite of costumers, and I think, “If Lili’s is good enough for Rachel and Phoebe, then it’s sure to be a hit with the rest of us!”

We are so very humbled that Lisa and Lili Bridals & Formals has honored us by being one of our Dream Sponsors™ and for providing the Dream Bride™ the gown of her dreams!

Please welcome Lisa Litt of Lili Bridals & Formals as a Dream Sponsor™ of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway

Lisa Litt
www.lilibridals.com
(818) 774-9700
18663 Ventura Boulevard
(Across from Jamba Juice)
Tarzana, CA 91356

Dream Crew™ Member: Carol Davis (butter 'n eggs)

2009-10-16T22:17:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Carol Davis, is the owner and genius behind butter 'n' eggs gift company and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official sweet shop guru. Carol sure knows how to entice a sweet tooth..even if you think you don't have one.

After 35 years in retail, 10 of those years as a Bridal Consultant for Macy’s, Carol had a dream of starting her own company. So butter 'n' eggs was born as an all encompassing gift company. Her custom gift baskets are sought after by A-list athletes and celebrities, as well as corporate and executive gifts. Additionally, her gift baskets are the perfect addition to a wedding, as welcome gifts or thank you gifts for your special guests.

Additionally, butter 'n' eggs also offers a sweet shop for couples getting married. What could be sweeter than a sweet shop filled with treats for your guests? The Sweet Shop is a custom designed sweet, snack, and treat bar for your guests to enjoy. Carol also offers roaming candy girls or boys as an addition to her way of delivering sweets...think cigar girls from the 1940s, but with a modern twist. She has everything to make sure your dream day stays sweet! Carol will work directly with you to stay within your theme and budget, and send your guests home with sweet memories.

Carol was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her charming personality and her ability to really sweeten the wedding day. She has a great eye for color and design and her sweet arrangements are just so amazing. Additionally, her gift baskets are also fabulous. Her level of service to her clients are excellent, always going the extra mile to make sure that the client is happy. With this dedication and love for what she does, why wouldn't we want her on the Dream Crew™?

Please welcome, Carol Davis of butter 'n' eggs gift com pany to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Carol Davis
www.butterneggsgiftcompany.com
info@butterneggsgiftcompany.com
(805) 660-5344

Dream Crew™ Member: Reverend Barbara Laughray

2009-10-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Reverend Barbara Laughray, is an ordained minister and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official officiant. Rev. Barbara started out as a traditional pastor, with her own church. But several years ago she realized that her true calling was nurturing relationships. And that means her ministry doesn't stop when she says, "I now pronounce you husband and wife." Many of the couples she has married have become lifelong friends, and have returned for marriage counseling over the years. She has baptized many of their babies, and has also performed memorial services when a family member has passed away. And as a mother of a blended family (with six kids), she is also gifted at working with people who remarry.

Reverend Barbara Laughray was ordained in the Church of Religious Science, but her appeal is ecumenical. One of her specialties is interfaith marriage, during which she encourages couples to take part in each others religions and family traditions. "I don't pretend to be an expert on the world's religions," she says. "What I am good at is seeing the silver thread that is common to all."

The reason her peers, and indeed so many couples, choose Rev. Barbara to marry them is no mystery: she changes lives. She is a charismatic speaker whose words are filled with the love, support and tenderness she feels for her brides and grooms and their families. She is able to help couples clarify what is really important to them, and guide them to an understanding of the wedding ceremony as not just a one-time ritual between two people, but a lifetime commitment to themselves, their families and their communities. In short, she awakens her clients to the higher purpose of marriage.

Though each ceremony is individually tailored to reflect the values of the bride and groom, a constant theme running through every one is the power of unconditional love. Rev. Barbara's ceremonies are organic creations. She doesn't speak from a book or a prepared piece, but from the heart. Always present in the moment, she's able to draw on the emotions, humor and energy all around her to express words that touch people profoundly. What she says is extremely personal to the bride and groom, but it is also meaningful for everyone in attendance. Friends and family walk away from her ceremonies sensing that they've received a gift too.

This former Tournament of Roses Queen unquestionably found her own higher purpose in life. Her scrapbooks are filled with heartfelt testimonials from couples expressing their thanks: "The love that exuded from you set a welcoming tone that carried throughout the night. Compliments keep pouring in for your originality and personal contributions to our ceremony. A few times our guests asked us if you were a family friend. We told them you are now!"

Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is so humbled that the Reverend Barbara Laughray said "I Do" to us. Here sophistication, style, and general love for the couples she marries is the main reason we wanted her part of the Dream Crew™. She will set a wonderful tone to the dream wedding and send our Dream Couple™ down the aisle in a ceremony that touches all.

Please welcome Reverend Barbara Laughray to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Reverend Barbara Laughray
www.revbarbaralaughray.com
barbara@revbarbaralaughray.com
(818) 225-8044 or (805) 496-3988

Dream Crew™ Members: John & Sherine Leenhouwers (The Tent Merchant)

2009-10-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ members, John & Sherine Leenhouwers, are the owners and operators of The Tent Merchant and Santa Barbara Dream Wedding Giveaway's official rental company.

The Tent Merchant has grown out of John and Sherine's love for eastern antiquities and a desire to entertain. The Tent Merchant has grown to be one of Southern California's most reliable and respected event rental company. Additionally, the service that John, Sherine, and their staff provide to event professionals and people looking for event rentals is absolutely amazing.

The Tent Merchant is a full service event rental company that provides much more than just tables, chairs, and linens. They specialize in authentic tents and accessories from India and Morocco, that provide you and your guests with an experience that will transport you to another time and place. See their extensive product line for all your event needs. Call for a quote or visit their Santa Barbara office at the corner of Haley and Santa Barbara streets. They will get you started on your journey...

John & Sherine was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's Dream Crew™ because of their wonderful products, excellent customer service, and their ability to make all their clients feel special. Additionally, they are one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Sitting down to talk with John is like talking to a long lost BFF. A very genuine couple and company! When we were planning the details of this event, they were one of the first Dream Crew™ members we called.

Please welcome John and Sherine Leenhouwers of The Tent Merchant to the the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

John & Sherine Leenhouwers
www.thetentmerchant.com
info@thetentmerchant.com
(805) 963-6064

Dream Crew™ Member: Scott Ruge (American Luxury Limousine)

2009-10-16T13:06:00.001-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Scott Ruge, is the owner and operator of American Luxury Limousine and the official limousine of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway. Scott, a 24 year veteran of the limousine industry, began his career as a chauffeur for a limousine company in Scott's prior experience in the restaurant and service industry prepared him to understand customer needs and to offer personal, quality service. This experience, combined with his love for beautiful cars and driving, made the limousine business a natural endeavor for him and he quickly became their #1 chauffeur.

Scott’s enthusiasm and curiosity about the inner functioning of the business was instrumental in his promotion to the office staff. There, he soon recognized certain management deficiencies, which, combined with the absence of the owner, were causing operational and profitability problems. He met with the owner of the business to propose a partnership where he would fund the purchase of additional limousines and demonstrated to him how they could reorganize the business to improve the bottom line. Their combined efforts allowed them to grow to be the largest limousine company in Sacramento and the Northern California area with an 20-car fleet.

Scott soon became aware of how compliance to regulation and having sufficient overhead were crucial to legally and properly operating a transportation company. At that time, he became very involved in the Northern California Limousine Association where he served as Vice President and Legislative Director. Scott attended legislative hearings and met with legislators to discuss issues related to the transportation industry. He was instrumental in forming the “Leslie Bill” with Assemblyman Tim Leslie. That bill involved promoting accountability for limousine companies to regulate drugs and alcohol with minors utilizing limousines. Scott was also instrumental in acting as liaison to top officials in the PUC and DMV to work together for more clarification on regulations that involved limousine operators.

Scott's other accomplishments include being President of the Professional Association of Limousine Operators (PALO). He also helped form and was Vice President of the Limousine Owners Association of California (LOAC). Scott has been a long time member of the National Limousine Association (NLA) and has served on the board of the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA), he served on their legislative committee to address current issues. In 1986, he fought a two-year battle and won a key decision against the IRS involving the “Independent Contractor Issue".

Scott sold his interest in Northern California and moved to Southern California where he now resides. Initially, he was instrumental in building another limousine company from a four-car operation to a fifteen-car fleet. Desiring to be sole owner of his own business, Scott ended that partnership and formed American Luxury Limousine with a new vision to elevate the industry with a higher caliber of trained, professional chauffeurs. He hopes to fill a much needed niche in the industry with Chauffeur Connection, a company that will hire, train, and provide quality chauffeurs to limousine companies in the Southern California area. Scott looks forward to what the future holds for him and for the limousine industry and would appreciate the opportunity to do future business with your company.

Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway invited Scott to be part of the Dream Crew™ because of his dedication to his industry and his career. He is a true inspiration in following your dreams. Our lucky Dream Couple™ will have a great time riding in one of the fabulous limousines in his fleet. We are so excited that Scott is part of the Dream Crew™.

Please welcome Scott Ruge of American Luxury Limousine to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Scott Ruge
www.aluxurylimo.com
scott@aluxurylimo.com
(805) 494-8353

Dream Crew™ Member: Dick Thomas (Sitting Pretty Chair Covers)

2009-10-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Dick Thomas, is the owner and operator of Sitting Pretty Chair Covers and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official linen guru! Dick grew up in the West Indies and ventured out to see the world working on a cruise ship. After years of sailing around the globe, he decided to anchor in Ventura County.

His “business plan” started by observing the wedding industry first hand when he was head bartender at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo. Working banquets and special events, he was constantly seeing linen vendors deliver inferior products, torn and stained linens and ill-fitting chair covers. He decided, “I could that, and I could do it better”, and he did! He has been hands on since day one.

Dick officially started Sitting Pretty Chair Covers in 2002 with just one client, Spanish Hills Country Club. Since then he has expanded his loyal clientele list which includes venues as Westlake Village Inn, Los Robles Country Club, Ventura Crowne Plaza, Sherwood Country Club, Rancho de Las Palmas, Moorpark Country Club, and Four Seasons Westlake. Dick is privileged to be the source for the linens, chairs, and chair covers for the top event planners in Southern California. Sitting Pretty Chair Covers pride themselves on “Quality & Service,” no matter how large or small the event! Our extensive inventory has something for every occasion, from very simple to the most elegant.

Dick was invited to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of his reputation in the industry and his can do spirit. He has such a wonderful demeanor and he is really about providing service and product quality to his clients. Because of this passion and for the entrepreneurial spirit that he encompasses, we were elated when he said I Do to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway.

Please welcome, Dick Thomas of Sitting Pretty Chair Covers to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Dick Thomas
www.sittingprettychaircovers.net
(805) 218-3282
sittingprettycc@msn.com

Dream Crew™ Member: Marie Gregorio-Oviedo (Marie the Photographer)

2009-10-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Marie Gregorio-Oviedo, is also known as the talented Marie the Photographer and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official event photographer. She will be covering all of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway parties, including the Launch Party happening this Sunday, October 18, 2009 at Rancho de Las Palmas. Additionally, she will be the photographic eyes at our Top 10 party, Top 3 unveiling, and she will be there to photograph the winning couple as they are announced. She will be capturing all the moments of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway.

Marie is a wedding and portrait photographer who is highly specialized in candid and lifestyle photography. Her passion for “stopping time” stems from her “demon child”, 11 year old Morgan. Her camera bag is permanently attached to her right hip and her trigger finger always itches. “The photo I take isn’t yours,” she says, “nor is it mine; it is for your future descendants, who will look at the photo and say, “Damn, Grandma and Grandpa, you were hot back then!”

Her clients call her pictures “relationship shots” – the pride of the father and son, the magic between the girl and her horse, the laughter of a couple right after the posed shot. Starting from the engagement shots, Marie likes to incorporate what is important to both parties - the guitar… the tattoos… the motorcycle – then suddenly, the groom is more vested in the pictures! From the moment the musician hits the sweet note to when grandma kisses the baby – Watch out! Marie may be taking your picture right now!

Marie the Photographer has to be one of the funniest and nicest people you will ever meet. She has the knack for capturing the most unexpected moments and in making people pose for the best shots (even against their will). She is wonderful with clients and she is always up for a photographic challenge. We are so excited to have her part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™. We can't wait for her to document the events leading to the reveal of our Dream Couple™.

Please welcome, Marie Gregorio-Oviedo to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Marie Gregorio-Oviedo
www.mariethephotographer.com
mariethephotographer@gmail.com
(805) 701-2219
www.myspace.com/mariethephotographer

Dream Sponsor™: Amy's Orchids

2009-10-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

Dream Sponsor™, Amy's Orchids, is an internationally known, premier importer of the highest quality Thai orchids in the floral industry, as well as the world's best and most sought after floral designers, such as Preston Bailey.

Amy came to the US in 1999 as a sales representative for her family’s farms in Thailand. Arriving in the US with a limited command of the English language, and no knowledge of the US flower market, in less than 10 years, Amy and Amy's Orchids has developed a reputation for the highest quality of imported orchids, and the highest level of customer service. She and her orchids are well-known in the floral industry from coast to coast. Amy is committed to continuing to provide the best orchids and the best customer service, including custom designed leis, garlands, and fresh orchid jewelry.

We are so excited that Amy became one of Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's Dream Sponsors™ and working with our three floral companies to provide them with all their orchid needs in designing our Dream Couple's™ floral masterpieces. Amy and her staff are so gracious and nice and their customer service is exceptional. Amy has to be commended for building a company that has that personal touch and for providing their customers with awesome products!

Please welcome Amy's Orchids as a Dream Sponsor™ of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway.

Amy's Orchids
www.amysorchids.com
sales@amysorchids.com

Dream Crew™ Member: Nina Shoes

2009-10-15T11:29:00.001-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Nina Shoes, has been a staple in the footwear industry since 1953 and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's Dream Bride™ and flower girls' official footwear.

Nina Footwear Corp. has become one of the most widely-recognized footwear brands in the United States, enjoying its place as the number one shoe resource for accessible luxury and everyday glamour. Nina still carries on its proud tradition of being designed in New York. Nina shoes are regularly featured in top fashion magazines and are frequently spotted on the red carpet. Nina shoes are available in department stores and specialty stores across the United States, as well as in more than 20 countries worldwide. Nina Footwear Corp. is also the parent company for Delaman, Nina Dolls, and Nina Kids.

We are so excited that Nina is part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™. Nina has been a staple in the wedding industry for years, an editorial favorite in all the top bridal publications, and of course a favorite of many brides. We are beside ourselves that they came on as the official footwear for our Dream Bride™ and well as her flower girls.

Please welcome Nina to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Nina
www.ninashoes.com
customerservice@ninashoes.com
(800) 918-9374
www.twitter.com/nina_shoes
Facebook Fan Page

photo credit: Martha Stewart Weddings

Dream Crew™ Members: Erica and Cary Goldberg (LuvBug Baking Company)

2009-10-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ members, Erica and Cary Goldberg, are the owners and creators of LuvBug Cookie Company and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official cookie favor gurus! The LuvBug Cookie Company was started by our Founder and C.B.O. (Chief Baking Officer), Erica Goldberg, in 2007. As far back as Erica can remember, her Grandma Pearl called her "her little Luvbug". As a mother of 5 kids ranging in age from 4 to 16, Erica has been calling her kids "her Luvbugs" for as long as she can remember.

For over 20 years, Erica has been baking her “Signature” gourmet chocolate chip cookies for friends and family. Whether it is for a birthday, graduation, or even Christmas morning, her cookies are usually part of the celebration. As a matter of fact, some family members have been known to hoard her cookies for future consumption, while others have been seen sneaking a dozen or two into a Ziploc bag to bring home with them after the event. Friends and family have been telling her for years that she should be selling her cookies.

Today the LuvBug Cookie Company ships fresh homemade cookies all over the Country. Our cookies can be found as party favors at the best Weddings and as dessert at the biggest events. The LuvBug Cookie Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Luvbug Baking Company run by Erica’s husband, Cary Goldberg C.T.O. (Chief Tasting officer), and encompasses 2 retail locations, a wholesale division, an online division, and our Wedding and Special Event division.

The Wedding and Special Events division is the company’s newest endeavor, and with our unique marketing approach, we have quickly made the Wedding Division one of our most successful divisions. Luvbug Baking Company offers prospective brides and grooms a very special and unique experience of having their cake tasting in the comfort of their own home, at a time and date that is convenient to them and their friends and family. This service is complimentary with no obligation or strings attached. In addition to the wedding cakes, we provide unique and personal wedding favors using our gourmet homemade-style cookies that create the perfect gift for a price that is extremely competitive and reasonable.

Erica and Cary were invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of their wonderful and scrumptious treats. Additionally, the service that they offer to brides and grooms with their new at-home cake tasting service is a revolutionary concept, especially for busy brides and grooms. Their reputation and their products reputation is unsurpassed in the industry and once the guests taste Erica's world famous cookies...they will remember it as the best favors they ever received. We are so happy to have them on the Dream Crew™.

Please welcome, Erica and Cary Goldberg of LuvBug Cookie Company to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Erica and Cary Goldberg
www.luvbugcookies.com
cgoldberg@hughes.net
(818) 519-2100
www.luvbugweddingcakes.com
www.luvbugbaking.com

Dream Crew™ Member: Dana Cochran (Skin Care Solutions)

2009-10-14T15:01:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Dana Cochran, is the owner and operator of Skin Care Solutions in Westlake Village, California and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official skin care specialist. Dana gravitated towards beauty and skin care industry many years ago. She realized that there are countless techniques, materials, and philosophies when it comes to caring for the skin, not to mention new breakthrough scientific discoveries. It is a truly fascinating challenging field and extremely important to everyone she encounters. Dana is committed to helping each one of her client’s look and feel better after just one visit.

Dana takes your skin care very seriously. Her services are up to date, and she’s equipped with the latest technology and skills in the skin care industry. You'll feel safe in her hands as you see your skin restore its natural youthfulness. Dana’s custom facial programs have provided positive results to all of her clientele. Through personal one-on-one consultations and analysis the root cause of each skin problem, the skin can be treated to produce optimal results.

Dana is able to treat all sorts of skin problems like acne, wrinkles, pimples, pigmentation, age spots, sagging skin, sensitive skin, ageing skin, etc. Skin Care Solutions will provide the solution to your skin problems, effectively treating them and restoring the radiance and smooth complexion you should have. She uses products that do not cause side effects, itchiness or sensitivity to the skin. These products are mild and are pH balanced. They can help in providing essential nutrients and moisture to the skin. Not only will your skin be smooth to the touch, you can be assured that these products are working round the clock, repairing, renewing and protecting your skin from the inside. Leaving the skin...wedding ready!

Dana was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her reputation as the go to person for skin care. She has a long list of happy clients and we are just happy to have her part of the beauty team that will be taking care of our Dream Bride™ and her maids. We can't wait to have our Dream Bride™ experience Dana's skin care solutions.

Please welcome, Dana Cochran of Skin Care Solutions to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Dana Cochran, LPME
danaface12@yahoo.com
(805) 496-2466

Dream Crew™ Member: Laura Cagle Schneider (The Invitation Spot)

2009-10-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Laura Cagle Schneider, is the owner and founder of The Invitation Spot in Thousand Oaks, California. She is also Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official wedding invitation guru. She was born and raised in the city of Thousand Oaks, graduated from Westlake High School and the University of Southern California.

Laura first became involved in weddings 15 years ago when she was planning her own nuptials. After her wedding, she coordinated events and managed a venue where she went above and beyond any typical property manager, helping brides in the planning and organization of their weddings. Laura was always just a phone call away for advising, vendor recommendations, menu selection, where to shop, and even wedding etiquette. While helping others, Laura found it very difficult to find invitations for special events including her own daughter's birthday parties. Laura states, “It was always a hassle to find her cute and different birthday party invitations- or any sort of invitations for that matter. I saw this as an opportunity to form my own business and after years of planning it’s finally here.” She sold invitations out of her home for over seven years before opening a retail storefront.

Invitations can make or break an event because they are the guests’ first impression and they usually set the tone. The Invitation Spot is an invitation retailer and printer and although it only opened to the public three years ago, it is already a respected name in the community; customers have traveled from as far as Los Angeles to check out the merchandise. The Invitation Spot specializes in custom made invitations for special events like weddings, bar and bat Mitzvahs, quinceaneras, etc. In addition to custom invitations, The Invitation Spot offers its customers ready made invitations and printing services that can be done within hours. The Invitation Spot also presents the ability to feel and touch invitations, something that cannot be replicated by online retailers. The Invitation Spot employees are specially trained to help come up with the verbiage of invitations and use proper etiquette in the wording. The Invitation Spot prides itself on being more than just an invitation retailer, but also a resource for people planning events; they help think of themes, decorations, menus and vendor selection.

Laura was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's Dream Crew™ because of her ability to help customers make the best choices when picking out their invitations. Additionally, her customer service is excellent and her knowledge of the invitation industry is astonishing. She is also a great woman to know, funny, to the point, and always helpful. Because of these traits we knew she had to be part of the Dream Crew™ and we are so excited she said, "I DO!"

Please welcome Laura Cagle Schneider, of The Invitation Spot to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaways Dream Crew™.

Laura Cagle Schneider
www.invitationspot.com
info@invitationspot.com
(805) 777-8898
www.twitter.com/invitationspot
Facebook Fan Page

Dream Sponsor™: Dana LaRue (The Broke Ass Bride)

2009-10-14T11:51:00.001-07:00

Dream Sponsor™, Dana LaRue, The Broke-Ass Bride is an entertaining and informative resource providing bad-ass wedding planning and lifestyle inspiration to broke-ass couples around the globe. Using her creativity and a healthy dose of moxie, Dana LaRue, creator of The Broke-Ass Bride, planned a magical, fully-customized and eco-friendly wedding worth three times more than her budget.

Known for her quirky style, revolutionary financial approach, practical advice, and sassy attitude, The Broke-Ass Bride teaches couples how to rock their weddings without rocking their bank accounts; and gives them the skills to save green while being more green (after all, green is the new white!) Her relatable, honest and fun perspective on all things wedding planning and beyond have made The Broke-Ass Bride an award-winning and beloved resource, drawing readers at every stage of life back time after time to see what new advice or inspiration awaits. The Broke-Ass Bride now offers bridal consulting services for couples who need some guidance along the way, but don't want to give over the reigns to a traditional planner. Rather, Dana helps couples to define their goals, advises on budgeting, and helps point them in the right directions to plan the wedding of their dreams on their terms.

Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is besides ourselves that The Broke-Ass Bride is one of our Dream Sponsors™. Dana's blogs are known throughout the world and has become the go to resource for everything wedding. She is a legend in the industry and her endorsement of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway makes the Dream Crew™ feel good about what we are doing for the lucky Dream Couple™.

Please welcome The Broke-Ass Bride as a Dream Sponsor™ of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway !

Dana LaRue
www.thebrokeassbride.com
dana@brokeassbride.com
www.brideshare.net
www.twitter.com/brokeassbride
www.facebook.com/thebrokeassbride

Dream Crew™ Member: Bonnie Beck (BonitaJ.com)

2009-10-13T12:38:00.001-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Bonnie Beck, is the owner and artist of BonitaJ.com and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official bridal party jeweler. She will be hand-making jewelry of our brides choosing for the bridesmaids, flower girls, and the moms. We are so pleased that she is part of the Dream Crew™.

As a little girl, Bonnie would regularly plan and act out her own wedding. She loved all of the glitz and glam of dreaming of that most special day. She came from a very "crafty" family background on both sides of her family and have always picked up different hobbies and trades along the way.

When it was time to plan her own wedding, she did not like the jewelry selections that were available in stores and online to match my bridesmaids gowns. There were very few affordable companies that allowed you to customize your bridesmaids jewelry to match your wedding colors and gowns. That lead her to the local craft store where she spent some time picking out different gemstones and beads that she thought would make a nice fit for her girls.

She spent a few hours on each of their pieces, designing a different piece for each as a gift and then one piece that was exactly the same for the wedding day. She enjoyed giving the jewelry as gifts to her closest friends, and they've worn their jewelry proudly since.

Because she loved the idea of coming up with unique designs out of her own imagination, with the ability to pick out her own colors and beads, she thought there must be other brides out there that need this same service. For the next year she played around with different beads and designs until she came up with a small wedding jewelry line that she thought both brides and bridesmaids would enjoy. She finally decided upon using Swarovski brand beads, as they offered a huge selection of colors that brides could easily match up to their wedding colors, their gowns and their attendants gowns.

She and her husband jointly own a web design and marketing company and they both decided that her collection needed to reach the online world. BonitaJ.com was born. Since 2004, she has been creating new designs and collections for bridesmaids and brides all over the world. She strives to create unique designs that are 100% customizable and most importantly affordable for brides. BonitaJ.com carries many different pieces that are perfect for just the wedding day, but we also carry pieces that can be worn again for other occasions after the big celebration.

Bonnie was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because she make beautiful items that are affordable. Additionally, Bonnie loves what she does and it shows in the items she makes. She is truly passionate about what BonitaJ.com has to offer and her abilities as an artist to give brides what they need for their special day. We are beyond excited that Bonnie said, "I Do" to us.

Please welcome Bonnie Beck of BonitaJ.com to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Bonnie Beck
www.bonitaj.com
info@bonitaj.com
(888) 430-2623
www.twitter.com/bonitaj
Facebook Fan Page

Dream Crew™ Member: Martin Ledesma (Events by CP Catering)

2009-10-12T22:17:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Martin Ledesma, is the owner and chef of Events by CP Catering and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official rehearsal dinner caterer. Martin and his staff have to be one of the most genuine people you will ever meet and his food...absolutely amazing. Martin's culinary expertise started at a very early age, as an immigrant to the United States, which he crafted to what he is known for today...great cuisine with heart.

Martin (pronounced mar-teen) started in the kitchen as a restaurant dishwasher at the age of 16, where he developed a strong work ethic and the foundation of honesty that is unshakable and the basis of what his company is today. By 17, with his intense drive to work he was hired as an assistant manager of the restaurant's kitchen...which eventually landed him a position on the kitchen line at Joe’s Café, and his first taste to his road to culinary excellence.

After Joe's Cafe, Martin landed increasing culinary experience at places such as The Brown Pelican. Additionally, in 1989 he was hired as the Sous Chef at San Ysidro Ranch where he was responsible for the dining events of some of Hollywood’s most famous actors, directors and producers. Additionally, at San Ysidro Ranch Martin developed what his calls his babies...his recipes! It was during his tenure at San Ysidro Ranch that he created his masterpieces such as his delicious Wild Rice and Lobster Sope which was recognized as best appetizer by the James Beard Foundation Celebration in New York; an event held for renowned chefs from around the world. The recipe also found its way onto menus of the Relais & Chateaux, a global group of individually owned and operated restaurants and luxury hotels.

When Martin evolved to that place where the Chef becomes an artist, it was only a matter of time before he would take on his next challenges. In following years, Martin, became the Catering Chef of The Wine Castle in 1992, Restaurant Chef at the Oak Grill in the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa Resort in 1995, and Executive Chef at the Faculty Club at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1998. Currently, Martin is the proud owner of Chili Peppers Restaurant and Events by CP Catering, located in Camarillo, California.

Martin was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of his passion for what he does. Martin has to be one of the nicest and most sincere people you will ever have the honor of meeting. He bends over backwards to please his customers and at the same time he stays true to his love of serving, creating, and making the world a better place through food. This Dream Wedding would have not been complete without him on board and we are so excited that he is part of the Dream Crew™.

Please welcome, Martin Ledesma of Events by CP Catering to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Martin Ledesma
www.eventsbycpcatering.com
chefledesma@yahoo.com
(805) 479-0804

Dream Crew™ Members: Adam & Kim Finlay (Skyline Videography)

2009-10-12T21:10:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ members, Adam & Kim Finlay, are the owners and artists behind the lenses of Skyline Videography and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official videographer. This wonder duo will be capturing the rehearsal and wedding day for the lucky Dream Couple™. We know for sure...that the couple will be wanting to play this video over and over again...so we got the best videographer in Southern California to capture the moment for them.

Adam became interested in film making at a very young age, which led him to further studies in the field in high school and college, where he directed various video productions. His passion grew and led him to an internship where his work on music videos gained him experience and knowledge in editing. Adam became active in the wedding industry in 2005 when he established a video production company. After getting married in 2006, his wife Kim partnered with him and they change the company name to Skyline Videography. They have been shooting weddings together in Southern California ever since.

Skyline Videography is passionate about the memories they create and recognizes the privilege of taking part in capturing the history of two lives coming together. Realizing that every couple is different, they work closely with each couple to attain their unique vision. They are also aware that their responsibility is to capture the day rather than control the day. Having said that, they are often complimented at how unobtrusive they are, while getting the job done. Skyline Videography only uses the best to capture the moments of a couple's special day, and their editing of the final piece is truly stunning.

While predominantly shooting weddings and events, Skyline Videography also works on other projects from music videos to business commercials. They are currently working on a cooking show pilot in the wine country, starring French chef, Gael Lecolley.

We invited Adam and Kim to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of their ability to capture the most heartfelt moments in a couple's special day. Additionally, their ability to work with their clients and create a stunning piece of visual art is another reason we had to have them on the Dream Crew™. Adam and Kim are true professionals and they love what they do. We think this passion is truly special!

Please welcome Adam & Kim Finlay of Skyline Videography to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Adam & Kim Finlay
www.skylinevideography.com
adam@skylinevideography.com or kim@skylinevideography.com
(888) 997-5954 ext. 2
www.twitter.com/lavideographer

Dream Crew™ Member: Friar Tux

2009-10-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member Friar Tux has been Southern California's Tuxedo expert since 1974 with 29 locations and nationwide affiliates. They are Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official tuxedo company of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway and they will be dressing the groom's party, the ring bearers, the dads and the ushers.

Friar Tux is your one stop tuxedo shop in Southern California. They offer a free groom's rental and a price match guarantee as well as promotions on their Website when you pre-register. Visit them online at www.Friar Tux.com to view their 60 tuxedo and suit styles as well as over 90 vest and color ties.

Friar Tux was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding because of they are the tuxedo masters in Southern California. Additionally, their customer service and their ability to meet their clients needs is an incredible. Their reputation in the industry is also stellar and another reason we are so excited they said "I Do" to us.

Please welcome Friar Tux to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Friar Tux
www.friartux.com
www.savviformalwear.com
(888) FRIAR TUX or (888) 374-2788
blog.friartux.com
www.facebook.com/friartuxshop
www.twitter.com/friartuxshop

Dream Crew™ Member: Beverley Siri (Siri)

2009-10-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Beverley Siri, is the owner and designer for Beverley E. Siri, Inc. (simply known in the industry as Siri), based out of San Francisco, CA. She is also Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official mothers' clothier. She will be providing gorgeous gowns for our Dream Couple's™ mothers.

Siri began in 1988 in her North Beach area apartment in San Francisco where each room became a different department: design room in the kitchen, cutting room in the second bedroom, shipping in the living room, and all the fabric was stored in the hallway. After five years, she moved her company into an 8,000 square foot South of Market, turn of the century, old utilities warehouse with trumpet vines climbing over the brick walls. Many themed parties showcasing the collections were enjoyed by San Francisco socials. Siri is now located in the Apparel Triangle where the wonderful Siri boutique can also be found.

The creation of clothing has been a part of Beverley Siri since her teens. Her creative interest for apparel intertwined with her structured business instincts continued through college where she earned her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, Marketing and a minor degree in Clothing and Textiles.

Beverley’s professional introduction into the fashion business began with five years at Esprit de Corp where she learned many aspects of the business and managed the production for one of their divisions. After having the insight of this hands-on experience, Beverley decided to pursue her long-time goal of living in Italy. She had a relentless curiosity about the country as a fashion center and being of Italian decent, always desired to really know her family there. She became acquainted with the Italian fashion industry while working for two manufacturing companies and ultimately worked with a premiere fabric designer, Luisa Cevese, who specialized in very modern hand-woven fabrics. These special fabrics along with her own sense of color and texture inspired Beverley to move back to her native San Francisco to start her own apparel company.

In 1998, the Siri dresses began to be selected from boutiques by bridesmaids who didn’t want to “look like a bridesmaid”. Since then, Siri has very successfully designed and become known for bridesmaid dresses all around the country. They are recognized as the first in the industry to make short dresses so popular for bridesmaids. It started with the classic Hepburn dress, taken from the special occasion line; then came the Strapless Hepburn, a strapless tea-length sheath with a bow-sash at the waist; then followed their Tiffany Breakfast dress, a strapless, below-the-knee A-line with a bow-sash at the waist…now a style shown by many bridesmaid companies. Ultimately, Siri has become known for truly wear-again, fashionable bridesmaid dresses. Her designs have graced the halls of some legendary department stores as Henri Bendel, I Magnin, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstroms.

In 1999, Beverley was married wearing one of her own classic understated wedding gowns aptly named June Bride and paired it with her grandmother’s 1932 restored chapel length tulle and alencion lace veil, truly reflecting her classic blend of tradition and innovation.
Today, Siri continues to design special occasion and wedding dresses sold in finer boutiques and premier bridal salons throughout the United States and Canada. The entire collection can be found at the Siri Boutique, located since 1994 in front of the manufacturing facility. Siri is proud that all of its production is made in their San Francisco, California, factory. Since its inception, Siri continues to bring to fashion distinct textures, stunning colors, outstanding quality and always in a modern yet classic style.

Beverley and Siri was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her beautiful gowns and her way of single handily transforming the mother of the bride and groom dresses in the wedding community. She is known for her truly classic silhouettes and for her wonderful array of special occasion gowns for the entire bridal party! We are so excited to have her on board.

Please welcome Beverley Siri of Siri to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Beverley Siri
www.siriinc.com
info@siriinc.com
(415) 431-8787

Dream Crew™ Member: Lauren Atwaters (Ten23 Designs)

2009-10-08T11:19:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Lauren Sarnoff Atwaters, is the owner of Ten23 Designs, located in Jacksonville, Florida and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official custom decal guru. Ten23 Designs specializes in creating customized, removable decals for special events and home decor. Removable decals are a great tool for decorating as they are easily removed and do not leave behind any sticky residue. Decals created by Ten23 Designs stand out among the competition because of the high quality material used and the unique design created for each client.

Born in New York, Lauren moved to Clearwater, Florida with her family when she was six years old. While in elementary school, Lauren had a special appreciation for art. From a very young age, Lauren's Dream was to become an artist. For nearly ten years after Lauren graduated from high school, she did free-lance graphic design work for family, friends and companies she worked for.

In July 2008, Lauren was married. Lauren's wedding was filled with personalized monogram decorations that she created herself. She received such positive feedback regarding her designs and even received her first order before the wedding day was over. With this, and the encouragement of her family, she decided to offer her services to others...and Ten23 Designs was born. Ten23 Designs was named to commemorate Lauren's birthday of October 23rd!

Lauren was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because she focuses on two main goals each time she welcomes a client to Ten23 Designs. One, give them what they want. Making custom and personalized designs can be a challenge at times, but Lauren's goal to "give them what they want" only challenges herself and her craft. She wants to bring a smile to her client's face and by giving them what they want, she gets it every time. The second goal is to keep it affordable. Whether her client is decorating their home or adding personalized touches to an event, Lauren puts forth the effort to find the most cost effective way to decorate without cutting any corners. Because of this and her passion in what she does, Lauren was the perfect addition to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ and we are so excited she is on board!

Please welcome, Lauren Atwaters of Ten23 Designs the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Lauren Atwaters

www.ten23designs.com
designedbylauren@yahoo.com
www.twitter.com/ten23designs
www.ten23designs.blogspot.com

Dream Crew™ Member: Paul Pannone (1800MYTUXES)

2009-10-07T12:37:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Paul Pannone is the president and men's formal wear expert at 1800MyTuxes and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official groom's clothier. He will be selecting and giving the Dream Groom™ his own personal tuxedo to wear on the Dream Wedding Day. Additionally, the lucky groom will get to keep his tux...because every guy should always have their own tuxedo at their disposal. Paul is the force behind 1800MyTuxes. Paul has an incredible persona...BIG...seriously, and absolutely genuine. He is socially networked, has a loyal following of fans, including Regis and Kelly, and has an incredible network of tuxedo professionals.

Paul's dad had always been a tailor, but Paul went the total opposite direction and decided to go into the computer field early on in his career. In the early 1990s, he decided to try his hand in the tuxedo market, seeing a need in Long Island, NY. After much success, he branched out and merged his two loves, computers and tuxedos, by creating 1800MyTuxes, which was his way of unifying the tuxedo industry and elevating the industry to a more respected level in the wedding industry. He is the go to expert for men's formal wear and is proud of the industry he serves.

Paul was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of his charisma and passion for the wedding industry. His expertise in his field is priceless. He loves what he does and that's what is so exciting to us, people willing to go the extra mile for their clients to help them have one of the happiest days of their lives. Additionally, we are so excited that he is on the Dream Crew™ because of his reach and influence in the wedding industry and his ability to make us all feel good about what we are doing on a daily basis.

Please welcome, Paul Pannone of 1800MyTuxes to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Paul Pannone
www.1800mytuxes.com
paul@1800mytuxes.com
(631) 756-7981
www.twitter.com/1800mytuxes
MySpace Page

Dream Crew™ Member: Cherise Imbert (CNI Designs)

2009-10-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Cherise N. Imbert is the owner and artist of CNI Designs and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official graphic designer and thank you card guru. Additionally, she will be helping the lucky Dream Couple™ create their own blog/website to keep their family and friends informed of all the wonderful news as they do their wedding planning. Cherise brings over 12 years experience in the arts, crafts, décor, and design industries for a fresh approach to conventional wedding stationary. Prior to starting CNI Designs in 2008, Cherise worked as a buyer following home décor and color trends and in interior design creating enticing palettes for high-end residential clients. Her passion for unique color palettes, scrapbooking, and handmade creativity shine through in each project she does. She understands and appreciates the importance of quality customer service and takes the time to work one-on-one with each of her clients. A bride’s happiness is her number one priority!

At CNI Designs, Cherise believes each wedding should be as unique as the soon-to-be Mr. & Mrs. No two couples are alike, so why should their wedding follow a cookie cutter pattern? Each bride has her own style – from the very traditional to the eccentric – and Cherise believes in encouraging creativity, not stifling it. The free form approach CNI Designs uses during the design process facilitates a playground of ideas and allows for a truly customized design specifically with the bride and groom in mind.

In addition to traditional wedding invitations, CNI Designs offers a unique service to the wedding industry - DVDs and eSave-The-Dates. Combining her love and feel of a handmade invite with the multimedia necessity of today, Cherise launched her line of DVD Invitations, DVD Thank You Cards and electronic Save The Dates. Each DVD includes custom-designed graphics and photo montages that serve as keepsakes for the couple's friends and family.

Cherise was invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her amazing color sense and her design aesthetics, just wait until you see the new Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway logo. Additionally, her unique save the date, wedding, and thank you cards also attracted us to her. She has great customer service and has a loyal following of fans. We are so lucky to have Cherise as part of the Dream Crew™. Our lucky Dream Couple™ is going to love working with her!

Please welcome Cherise N. Imbert of CNI Designs to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Cherise N. Imbert
www.createdbycni.com
cherise@createdbycni.com
(888) 400-2477
www.twitter.com/cnidesigns
www.facebook.com/cnidesigns

Dream Crew™ Member: Amy Vranesh (TC Bakery)

2009-10-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Amy Vranesh, is the owner and executive pastry chef of TC Bakery in Thousand Oaks, California and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official groom's cake baker. Amy of TC Bakery (if you are wondering...the TC stands for Tall Chick) has been making culinary creations since she was a young girl. Beginning in her parent's kitchen, she delighted in all kinds of baking, specifically cakes, cookies, and pies. Growing up, she provided family and friends with tasty treats as gifts for the holidays and their birthdays.

In 2004, Amy graduated the Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie and Baking Program at the California School of Culinary Arts, Pasadena. While there, she fine-tuned the skills established from her years of baking as a hobby. Shortly after graduation, she had the opportunity to start her business while renting space from an existing bakery. Today, that bakery is hers and she continues to help other small business owners get their start.

Amy relishes most in the fact that she gets to do what she loves for a living. She is constantly challenging herself with new ideas for cake design, inspired by the latest magazines and cake decorating programs on television. Her goal is to make every cake its own unique masterpiece! Amy prides herself in using only the finest ingredients to provide her customers with beautiful and delicious products. All of her cakes are handmade and to the customers order; from elaborate themed cakes to bite size cheesecake petit fours, you'll know that you've got the best from TC Bakery.

We invited Amy and TC Bakery to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her ability to please her clients with outstanding products. Her reputation in the Southern California are is wonderful and her clients rave about her cakes. Her cheesecakes are also suppose to be out of this world! Additionally, Amy's ability to transform her clients needs for showstopping cakes that are tasty and fresh was more reason we needed her on the Dream Crew™.

Please welcome Amy Vranesh of TC Bakery to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Amy Vranesh

www.tcbakery.com
amy@tcbakery.com
(805) 499-8808

Dream Crew™ Member: Megan Battistella (Adair Custom Design)

2009-10-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Megan Battistella, is the owner of Adair Custom Design in Charlotte, North Carolina and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official rehearsal dinner invitation guru. Adair Custom Design specializes in couture wedding invitations and graphic design services. The name “Adair” was an easy choice, a family name that is defined as: “innovative”. Innovation has been a keystone in Megan’s artistic career. She graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design with a BFA in advertising and graphic design. She immediately started working in the fashion industry as the sole designer in charge of four lines of business briefcases and backpacks for DaimlerChrysler’s Jeep brand. From there, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and joined the Trend & Design department for Lowe’s Home Improvement Corporate headquarters and designed everything from products and packaging to internal trend reports and presentations.

Deciding to start a family, Megan left the corporate world and began to free-lance, focusing on branding and business identity for large and small businesses. A close friend, also a designer, called Megan, desperately seeking invitations for her wedding and without the time to do them herself. Megan began to research the wedding invitation industry and realized that most invitation sets were neither unique, personable or represented value for their price.

After a couple more invitation sets for friends, she found invitation design wasn’t a far jump from logo design and business identity. Branding in itself is partially formulating a cohesive personality for a business. By applying these principals when creating the “tone” for wedding invitations, something wonderful happens: Innovation! A carefully balanced design does not take away from the invitation’s content, but help’s the eye to focus on what is important. By exciting the senses with something different, Megan’s clients were reporting back to her that their invitation sets were receiving immediate responses. Some engaged couples even commented that they had guests that were unable to attend their wedding, but called just to comment on how stylish the wedding invitations were.

Megan was invited to be part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her design aesthetics and her ability to transform her designs to meet the clients needs. People crave a fresh approach as opposed to a tired format. Adair Custom Design strives to create wedding invitations that are more than just an announcement, but a timeless piece of design that not only garners attention but sparks an immediate response. For this reason, we had to have her on the Dream Crew™. Additionally, her ability to spot trends and set them is another reason we were so happy she said "I Do." The Dream Couple™ will have a great time designing their rehearsal dinner invitations with Megan.

Please welcome Megan Battistella of Adair Custom Design to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Megan Battistella
adairdesign.blogspot.com
adair_design@msn.com
(704) 489-1534
www.twitter.com/mbattistella
Facebook Fan Page

Dream Sponsor™: Coren Moore

2009-10-01T13:32:00.000-07:00

Dream Sponsor™, Coren Moore, is the epitome of bridal style and the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is so lucky to have her on board. Coren Moore's design house started in the summer of 2003, when Coren, following her own wedding moved to NYC to launch a new line of bridesmaid and cocktail dresses. Inspired by her love of colorful fabrics, Coren began designing a line of dresses with classic, elegant lines that would appeal to brides and their attendants looking for stylish, flattering, and fun dress options. As of 2008, Coren has also launched her bridal lines, Coren Moore the Collection and the Signature.

During Coren Moore's first season, all work was done out of Coren's Brooklyn apartment and a small sample room in Manhattan's garment district. Business grew each year through word of mouth, and today the company works with over 50 independently owned retail stores, and has an office and showroom in Manhattan. Dresses are still made in the USA, in New York City's garment district. Coren Moore is being touted as the wedding dress and bridal party designer to watch. Coren's work has been featured in such magazines as Martha Stewart Weddings, Elegant Bride, Brides, Town and Country Weddings, and The Knot. Most recently, her designs were featured on the Season 2 opener (9/27/09) of David Tutera's My Fair Wedding, where her gowns made over the bridal party.

The Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is so excited to have Coren Moore as one of our Dream Sponsors™. Coren's style and love for what she does is the essence of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway. We are so excited about Coren's sponsorship and ecstatic that Coren Moore will be supplying all the bridesmaids' dresses, flower girl dresses, ties, and pockets squares for this platinum affair. The Dream Bride™ is going to have one red-hot looking bridal party!

www.corenmoore.com
info@corenmoore.com
(212) 731-2017
www.corenmooreblog.blogspot.com

Dream Crew™ Members: Euri Wong & Kendra Liu-Ackerman (Fleuretica)

2009-10-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ members, Euri Wong & Kendra Liu-Ackerman, are the owners and bud-ing designers at Fleuretica and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official Cocktail and Lounge Area floral gurus. Fleuretica is a floral design boutique dedicated to bringing charm and whimsy to every occasion they are part of. Flowers are fashioned to being delight to clients, and elements like paper, textiles, and vintage finds bring personality to each event. Because flowers are not an everyday indulgence, their designs are well thought out in telling a personal story.

The journey of Fleuretica began when co-owner, Euri, focused on design instead of her studies at UCLA. Her notebook became her creative journal, full of sketches and ideas of events. Class time became brainstorming sessions and it was pure luck that she graduated with a B.A. in psychology. Euri set out to take a more inventive approach and created Fleuretica in 2004. Meanwhile, Kendra graduated from SDSU and was doing the 9-5 (and then some) in the accounting world. As she was planning her wedding, she found an outlet to push her creative impulses. She soon realized that there was a place for her imagination and pursued floral design. Although Kendra and Euri first met while doing the electric slide at a Jr. High slumber party, they really connected a few years later over their love of flowers, crafts, and food. Surviving long hours together and a "make it work" attitude gave proof for a strong business partnership in 2007.

Over the years Fleuretica has grown as a floral design studio, offering Fleuretica*demia workshops for people who want to foster their creativity outside the working environment. Over crafts, these workshops are grounds for conversations about trends, inspirations, and life. At the end of the day, the goal is to understand people through a creative process, and Fleuretica is lucky enough to have a medium to do just that. Additionally, Euri and Kendra are wonderful designers and their floral art and graphic pieces have been featured in Utterly Engaged and Glamour Sweden.

Euri and Kendra were invited to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of their design aesthetic and their ability to use mixed media in their floral artwork. Additionally, their ability to transform simple pieces into high impact floral designs is a reason we had to have them on our Dream Crew™. Their personality and their commitment to staying true to their craft and their reputation in the industry as the next "it" floral design studio is another reason we were excited when they said, "I Do!"

Please welcome Euri Wong & Kendra Liu-Ackerman of Fleuretica to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Euri Wong & Kendra Liu-Ackerman
www.fleuretica.com
fleuretica@gmail.com
(626) 797-4759
www.twitter.com/eeeyouareeye
Fleuretica*demia Facebook Fan Page

Dream Crew™ Member: Victoria Joanne (Hand Crafted Creations)

2009-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Victoria Joanne, is the owner and artist of Hand Crafted Creations and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official custom wedding accessories artist. Victoria, always the trend setter, started offering colorful and custom wedding garters in a time when nothing was custom and everything was mass produced. She was scared at first to go out on a limb but in 2001 she found the courage to follow her heart and passion. What she created was a niche market for customized items, such as garters and ring pillows, to meet the brides/couples needs rather than them having to settle for the same ole same ole.

Originally from Long Island, NY, but now located in Massachusetts, this mother of three and wife to one great guy specializes in customized garters. Hand Crafted Creations has on online portfolio of 1000s of Victoria's custom creations. She loves making pieces for her clients that are unique and become special keepsakes. She tries to incorporate a sentimental item in each of her creations, such as grandmothers brooch or dad's wedding ring. Additionally, she finds that using unique fabric pieces such as the brides baby blanket or a piece of her mother's wedding dress really adds to the sentimental value of her creations...don't worry though, she can create a simpler not so sentimental piece that you can toss.

Victoria's pieces have been graced by some of the world's most famous legs, including The Girls Next Door's Kendra Wilkinson, Deal or No Deal's Lindsay Clubine (Model #26) and Katie Cleary (Model #11). Additionally, her garters and other custom pieces have made the pages of US Weekly Magazine, I Do for Brides Magazine, and have been featured in one of the 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid "Follow Me To Bliss" Webisodes. She has become the celebrity go to person for the perfect wedding garter!

We invited Victoria to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her infectious attitude and enthusiasm...this woman has so much positive energy, you can feel it in her emails. If that was not enough reason to have Victoria on the Dream Crew™, we also love her custom creations and we know she will rock out our dream couple's custom pieces to their liking.

Please welcome Victoria Joanne of Hand Crafted Creations of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Victoria Joanne

www.customweddinggarters.com
email@customweddinggarters.com
(774) 289-5848
Blog: http://brides-n-news.customweddinggarters.com
www.twitter.com/wedding_garters
www.facebook.com/custom.wedding.garters

Dream Crew™ Member: Alex Neumann (Alex Neumann Photography)

2009-09-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Alex Neumann, is the owner and photographer of Alex Neumann Photography and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official wedding day photographer. Alex has been photographing weddings for over 10 years, but photography has been his lifelong passion. His love for photography lead the way to starting his own photography company. Now, Alex Neumann Photography is now a highly sought after photographer in Southern California.

Alex credits his extraordinary success and numerous awards to his ability to meet the clients demand for contemporary, individualistic, and advant-garde portraiture. He prides himself in producing timeless images from medium format photography to innovative digital capture for all weddings and events. He strives to create images that resonate with romance and inspire imagination.

Alex Neumann Photography has been featured in numerous publications including magazine covers and layouts, book collaborations, and TV productions. His works demonstrates what he strives to accomplish in each of his photographs to evoke emotions from his imagery. His work has been described as edgy, audacious, and striking. He sees the art in every shot and is honored every time he is chosen to photography a couple's wedding.

We invited Alex Neumann Photography to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because he loves what he does and loves working with his clients. Additionally, his passion for his career and his ability to capture a client's special day through photography...is a gift we wanted on the Dream Crew™. We are lucky to have him on the Dream Crew™ and excited that the lucky Dream Couple™ will have the opportunity to work with such a gifted photographer.

Please welcome Alex Neumann of Alex Neumann Photography to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Alex Neumann
www.alexneumann.com
weddingpix@msn.com
(805) 376-0612
www.alexneumann.blogspot.com

Dream Sponsor™: Here Comes The Guide

2009-09-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Dream Sponsor™, Here Comes the Guide are true pioneers in the industry. Here Comes the Guide was launched in 1991 by Hopscotch Press, a boutique publishing company based in Berkeley, California. Their flagship products—regional wedding resource books for Northern and Southern California—were instantly popular. They filled a niche in the marketplace by providing accurate information on potential wedding locations, such as pricing, capacities, restrictions and other useful details. In addition, each location was personally visited by a professional writer, whose descriptive profile captured the venue’s ambiance, architecture and special event possibilities.

In the last 19 years, the books have grown to 900+ pages and remain best-sellers. Available in major retail and online bookstores, thousands of copies are also given away at bridal fairs, industry events and select bridal salons every year—our goal is to get our product in the brides’ hands.

After almost two decades in print, Here Comes The Guide is consistently called “The Wedding
Bible” by brides and event planners, and is California’s most trusted and reliable wedding planning resource. Unlike a bridal magazine, our books have an extremely long shelf life, because they’re passed around for years to family and friends planning their own events. We estimate an annual circulation of 40,000/edition.

After 8 successful years with our iconic book series, they launched HereComesTheGuide.com in November, 1998. True to its motto of being “long on content, short on fluff,” the website is at once pretty and pragmatic. With no annoying pop-ups or other distracting advertising,
HereComesTheGuide.com is a stress-free, user-friendly place that helps brides envision and execute their wedding and related events, such as rehearsal dinners and bachelorette weekends.

Despite their strong brand recognition, the Here Comes the Guide book and website are actually produced by a small group—an awesome team of 10 brilliant, fun and relatable women. This brilliant group of women have a pulse on the wedding industry and now exactly what couples are looking for including the latest trends. Check out their blog...it's a wealth of inspiration.

The Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is so excited to have Here Comes the Guide as one of our Dream Sponsors™. Their ability to be in the forefront of the wedding industry and provide brides/grooms and planners a resource that is like no other is an incredible testament to their longevity in the wedding and event industry. Their sponsorship of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway is a huge honor for us, because with their reputation as the "go to folks" for the best resources in the industry...they are putting their stamp of approval on the Dream Crew™ members involved and the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway.

Please welcome Dream Sponsors™, Here Comes the Guide, to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway.

Here Comes the Guide
www.herecomestheguide.com
info@herecomestheguide.com
(510) 548-0400
www.twitter.com/hctg

Dream Sponsors™: Doug & Jennifer Biggs (DJ's California Catering)

2009-09-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

Dream Sponsors™, Doug & Jennifer Biggs, are the owners of DJ's California Catering and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official wedding day and launch day caterers. Doug and Jennifer established DJ's California Catering in 1991 and have since build a reputation for outstanding service ad quality corporate, public, and private clients throughout Southern California.

DJ's California Catering has received numerous industry awards including the Largest Catering Company in the Tri-Counties (San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura), and has been voted Ventura County's "Best Caterer" numerous times. Additionally, for the past consecutive five years they have been voted "Best Caterer" by the Ventura County Star readers.

DJ's is a Ventura County institution with the reputation of great food and award winning service all at a great value. Their full time staff of 25 including their wonderful general manager John Blauert and fabulous executive chef Eric Bryant all have contributed to why DJ's California Catering is the go to caterer in Ventura County. In addition to food catering, DJ's also offers complete event equipment and rental services, full bar services, and event coordination. They are a one-stop shop for creating an event to your liking. Doug and Jennifer will put their years of experience at your disposal to assist you in planning your next meeting or special event.

We are excited to have DJ's California Catering a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway because of their commitment to their clients and to their product. Additionally, their reputation in the industry is so stellar that we could not imagine throwing the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway without them. They provide the best quality food with the service that all clients deserve. They are the masters of customer service and this is why they were the perfect choice for the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway. We are so happy that they are one of our Dream Sponsors™.

Please welcome Doug & Jennifer Biggs of DJ's California Catering as a Dream Sponsor™ if the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway.

Doug & Jennifer Biggs
www.djscatering.com
info@djscatering.com
(805) 389-5418

Dream Crew™ Member: DeAnna Cochran (DeAnna Cochran Jewelry)

2009-09-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, DeAnna Cochran, is the owner and artist for DeAnna Cochran Jewelry, based in Dallas, Texas and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official groom's party jewelry designer. DeAnna's love for jewelry making began with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in metalwork from the University of North Texas' College of Visual Arts and Design. After a 15-year detour with a successful corporate career as a quality consultant and Six Sigma Black Belt.

DeAnna she returned to her passion for the art following a tragic loss. The artist's son Jackson was born 4 months premature and after 3 weeks in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) the artist lost her son. Touched by the experience in a profound, life changing way the artist had the faith that this experience had a purpose in her life. True to her spirit of finding the good in all situations she set out on a personal mission to "make a difference" and help others by telling her story through her work. Proceeds from the her jewelry collection benefit non-profit organizations. It was no surprise that the Artist took her passion to be a "conscious" artist one step further. DeAnna Cochran Jewelry is also considered a "green" artist. Her designs are made from reclaimed fine silver, bronze, and 22k gold. This is her way of reducing her footprint on the environment and helping not only today's generation but also the future generations.

DeAnna is best known for her series of hand carved leaves and nature designs her work has been recognized by fashion, television, & news publications including NBC, ABC, Modern Jeweler, Lucky Magazine, OK! Magazine Australia, ON Magazine, Inspired Retailer Magazine, Celebrity Baby Blog (People Magazine), and The Wedding Day Sourcebook Magazine . The Artist continues to inspire others to search for the positive in all situations. An owner of a DeAnna Cochran design "makes a difference" in someone's life. This is DeAnna Cochran Jewelry, it is "Jewelry for a Cause".

We invited DeAnna to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her passion for giving back to the larger community and for her beautiful and unique jewelry designs. One of her designs even benefits a local Southern California Foster Care Agency, Koinonia, in Oxnard, California. Additionally, DeAnna has such a giving heart and one of the most genuine person we have ever met. Because of her passion and for creating "jewelry for a cause" and for making a difference in people's lives, the Dream Crew™ would have not been complete without her.

Please welcome DeAnna Cochran of DeAnna Cochran Jewelry to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

DeAnna Cochran
www.deannacochranjewelry.com
info@deannacochranjewelry.com
(214) 334-6461
www.twitter.com/deannacochran

Dream Location™ (Rehearsal Dinner) : Camarillo Ranch

2009-09-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that our second Dream Location™ is the beautiful Camarillo Ranch, located in Camarillo, California and the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official wedding rehearsal location.

This historic mansion with peaceful, park-like grounds offers a rare setting for all kinds of revelry. The turn-of-the-century estate’s romantic architecture and beautiful gardens make it a particular favorite for weddings. The three-story Queen Anne-style mansion is the perfect centerpiece for any event at Camarillo Ranch.

At the Ranch, you may have a hard time choosing from among several pleasant sites for your event. One possibility is the West Garden, a manicured lawn surrounded by palm trees, luxuriant foliage, and seasonal blooms. A vine-covered archway at the garden’s entrance makes an excellent focal point for a ceremony. So does a splashing, triple-tiered stone fountain in the center of the garden. On the opposite side of the mansion the commodious East Garden also features a fountain and a lush border of trees. You might also marry on the mansion’s wraparound front porch, whose ornate façade and carved balustrades form an elegant backdrop.

Follow the ceremony with a cocktail hour in one of the gardens, or invite your guests inside the mansion to explore its lovely antique décor. Couples usually host their reception on the spacious front lawn, beneath the scattered shade of magnificent mature trees. One specimen, a fabulous Moreton Bay Fig Tree, displays an intricate root system—symbolic of a knot well tied! The Front Lawn holds 400 or more guests, and takes on many different moods or themes—from a posh garden soirée to a festive hoedown—depending on how you have it decorated. Want a more rustic feel, why not treat your guests to a reception inside the restored barn. The Ranch is also one of the few facilities in the area that allows couples to bring in their own caterer—even if it’s your Aunt Sally!

Camarillo Ranch is run by a nonprofit foundation, committed to preserving the Ranch’s historical traditions. Whether you envision a nostalgic Victorian-inspired fete or a casual barbecue surrounded by your friends and family, this facility provides a flexible, scenic venue for a landmark celebration.

We invited Camarillo Ranch to be part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ and to be our second Dream Location™ because of the properties historic significance to the area as well as the versatility the site offers for a wedding, event or rehearsal dinner. Additionally, the property and it's staff have been touted by many brides as one of the friendliest and best places to hold an event in Southern California. For this reason and so many others...we wanted them as one of our Dream Locations™!

Please welcome Camarillo Ranch to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway as our second Dream Location™.

Camarillo Ranch
www.camarilloranch.org
camarilloranch@aol.com
(805) 389-8182

Photo Credits: Angel Diane Photography and Kimberlee Miller Photography

Dream Crew™ Member: Katie Gallagher (Katie Gallagher Handbags)

2009-09-23T08:41:00.000-07:00

Dream Crew™ member, Katie Gallagher, is the creator and designer for Katie Gallagher Handbags based in Los Angeles, California and Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway's official handbag couturier. Katie is well known in the music industry for her "Rock & Roll Chic" and was commissioned to create an exclusive handbag for one of her celebrity friends. This venture sparked the beginning of Katie Gallagher Handbags. Katie, a freelance hairstylist for most of her life has been designing and crafting her singular leather creations for many years and is now ready to share her designs with the world.

A child of the seventies and voted most original in high school...Katie was always on the cutting edge. As a teen she wore flowers in her jeans and was always in love with fringe...think Jimi Hendrix. Raised in Greensboro, NC by father who owned a dry cleaning business and a reporter mother with a syndicated column called The Witchery of Stitchery looked for ways to further express herself. The opportunity came, in her teens, when her older sister came back from a vacation in England, transformed into a total mod, blowing Katie away and giving her the opening to explore her own love for design and fashion. This also led to her love for travel, politics, the arts, and different cultures.

We invited Katie to be a part of the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™ because of her passion to be true to herself and her craft and for teaching us that we should follow what we love to do and do things to make people happy. If this was not reason enough to have her part of the Dream Crew™, we also love her handbags. The lucky Dream Bride™ and her bridemaids are going to love their custom clutches for the wedding day. We can hardly wait to see what Katie is going to create.

Please welcome Katie Gallagher of Katie Gallagher Handbags to the Southern California Dream Wedding Giveaway Dream Crew™.

Katie Gallagher

www.katiegallagherhandbags.com
katie@katiegallagherhandbags.com