It is with great excitement we share the moment that your devoted vendors have been working towards with absolute fervor, the winners of the 2021 Wisconsin Wedding Giveaway!
This idea was born out of a large group of quality local vendors who care about giving back and have desire to serve. A desire to provide in the best way they know how. A desire to serve the community of people who are either keeping us afloat or who have been deeply affected by the changes around us. A desire to put together a fairytale story for a deserving couple. To serve someone who deserves to be served.
As this group of vendors came together to create this experience, it was incredible how excited each was to participate, selflessly. We want to thank these generous vendors for all they've done for our special couple and their community. They came together to create a complete and unforgettable wedding package with an approximate retail value of over $51,000 for a couple's special day! With no catch. None.
Congratulations to Daniel and Elise, the lucky winning couple!
A NOTE FROM DANIEL + ELISE:
"First and foremost,
What you are all doing is absolutely amazing for one lucky couple. My name is Daniel, and I am writing this on behalf of my fiancé, Elise, and I. We are both ER and Urgent care Physician Assistants, who were engaged last year and had plans to marry in early July of 2020. However, those plans were shattered due to COVID-19. We could not imagine putting family and friends in such a high-risk situation this year, seeing firsthand daily how devastating this infection can be. Since the start of quarantine, we have been separated from our families because we are unable to quarantine ourselves.
The venue we were working with, ultimately wanted to tack on a few thousand extra dollars just to change the date to next year, not to mention the cost of the vendor reschedules, etc. Not only were most dates already picked over, but the increased cost was well out of our budget already, which was a painful realization knowing this was all out of our control. Although we could've fought harder, because they were not abiding by our contract, Elise wanted to avoid creating any hard feelings (MN nice?). We ultimately had to make the difficult decision to cut our losses and cancel altogether.
Elise has had a smile on her face through all of this mess, but I know she's hurting. We have been together for over 7 years, and I can't help but regret not marrying her sooner to avoid the whole thing. She is my favorite person and has the biggest heart of anyone I know. Watching her go through our wedding guest list and cross off names she informed of the cancellation has been so frustrating, not to mention the constant requests for an explanation. It really does feel like a kick in the gut. Work has been a messy situation, as well. Going in every day, and constantly feeling worried about contracting COVID has been wearing on our minds. We, along with healthcare workers across the country, are being asked by your hospitals/clinics to reuse our PPE/N5 over and over as if all of a sudden, health precautions have been a suggestion all along. With the world in disarray, it almost feels selfish to think about a wedding right now, but it was supposed to be such a special day. Elise's sister sent me the giveaway website, and I've been so excited and trying to find the right words to explain our situation.
Elise has resolved to a courthouse wedding, and I've tried to postpone until the winner was announced, without making it look like I'm having second thoughts.
You are bringing light to a dark moment in one lucky couple's life with this announcement. Thank you for considering us, and thank you for what you are doing!
Sincerely,
Daniel Harris, PA-C "
THE GENEROUS VENDORS:
Ceremony, Reception Venue + Lodging: Prevailing Winds Lodge
Catering + Floral: Hy-Vee
Photography: Twig & Olive Photography
Wedding Tent + Lighting: Briggs TENT PARTY Rental
Tables, Linens + Chairs: Bucky's Rentals
Videography: DeGroot Film Co.
Honeymoon Package: Blissful Honeymoons & Destination Weddings/Blissful Vacations -Wisconsin
Music: Juke Box Bandstand
Jewelry: Chalmers Jewelers
Dance Floor: Chance Productions LLC
First Anniversary Photography: Lanza Photography
Hair + Makeup: Kendra Gassner Hair and Makeup Artistry
Dessert: Craig's Cake Shop
Beverage Service: Bartender 608 Intoxicologists & Cocktail Caterers, LLC
Wine + Spirits: State Line Distillery, Total Wine & More
Food + Beverage: Miller & Sons Supermarket - Mount Horeb
Stationery: Bob's Copy Shop
Bridal Attire: Vera's House of Bridals
Hotel: North Central Groups, Hampton Inn & Suites Madison West
Radio: Life 102.5
Social Media: Mount Horeb Chamber of Commerce, smallBIZ Madison, Wedding Planner & Guide
For stunning Wisconsin wedding inspiration, view our INSPIRATION GALLERY here.