Christmas might be just around the corner, but the organizers behind the Win a Wedding contest already have their sights set to February.
Back in 2016, Liz Tiedeman, owner of Brilliant Events, and Anastasia Chomlack, a local photographer and founder of the Whistler Wedding Collective, decided that instead of doing a styled photo shoot to showcase their work and the work of local vendors, they鈥檇 host a contest for a real-life couple to win a fully planned wedding.Open to couples from across Canada, they received over 100 love stories as submissions. 鈥淚t was amazing,鈥� Tiedeman said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been wanting to do it again ever since the first one. It was such a success.鈥�
It was hard to choose just one couple 鈥� Chomlack and Tiedeman had to turn it over to a jury to help them decide 鈥� but in the end a heartfelt note from a man in Prince George won them over. Although it was meant to be an elopement, 鈥渢hey threw a twist and asked if they could bring 50 family and friends,鈥� Tiedeman said. 鈥淓veryone pulled together. It took a few phone calls on my end鈥� but honestly everyone was really excited to be part of this. It was a gift to someone who deserved it.鈥�
The couple knew next to nothing about their big day when they arrived in Whistler. Along with the organizers, local vendors provided everything 鈥� save for the bride鈥檚 dress, which she had purchased before finding out they had won. The couple and their guests showed up at Rainbow Park to a stunning ceremony on a dock. Then, while taking photos afterwards, they were whisked away via helicopter to continue the shoot on a mountaintop. 鈥淭hey came down and met the wedding party for the reception,鈥� Tiedeman said.
The total value was estimated at $35,000. 聽
Now, they鈥檙e doing it all over again. Entries must be received by Jan. 15 with the jury set to make a decision by Jan. 23. The wedding will take place around Valentine鈥檚 Day.
鈥淚t is a tight turnaround, but that鈥檚 what makes it exciting,鈥� Tiedeman said. 鈥淩egardless of who the couple is, plans can take place behind the scenes. That鈥檚 the reality of eloping too. I have couples who call me and say they want to get married in a week or six weeks. It鈥檚 doable. Showcasing Whistler鈥檚 finest vendors is easy to do.鈥�
To that end, some of the same vendors are on board for the contest鈥檚 second installment, but there are also many new companies as well 鈥� all local to the Sea to Sky corridor. 鈥淎fter the first run we had a lot of people contact us and ask if they could be part of the next one,鈥� Tiedeman said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e already compiling a list for the third Win a Wedding.鈥�
This time, they鈥檙e also opening up the contest to the U.S. As a result, they anticipate a flood of submissions. On top of a few social media requirements (find them at winawedding.ca/enter), the couple 鈥� who should be engaged with both people consenting to the submission 鈥� has to enter a written submission with their love story and why they should be chosen. Tiedeman has a few pieces of advice about what judges will be looking for. 鈥淪peak from the heart,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey should give it their all. This is a real contest; we鈥檙e giving away a wedding. We鈥檙e looking for an amazing love story here from people who deserve a wedding.鈥�
For more information or to apply visit .
