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Wedding in Paradise
Former Floridian Wins Contest for Free Wedding from www.ParadiseCoast.com
 A carriage ride from Charlene’s Classic Carriages |
Hollie’s father saw an article in the Naples Daily News about the free destination wedding contest, and the couple took on the challenge with an enthusiasm that ensured the win. Describing herself as a “crafty person,” the Cape Coral, Fla., native made winning the wedding a full-time job. After posting their two-minute video online describing why they should win the wedding, which included a rewritten version of "Chapel of Love," Hollie created “vote for Hollie and Jeff” cards with bits of candy attached by a colorful ribbon and handed them to friends and strangers, even waiters at restaurants, throughout the Phoenix area. An Internet-savvy scrap booker, she posted Vote-for-Hollie-and-Jeff e-mails on scrapbooking message boards, receiving votes from people as far away as the United Arab Emirates. Her fiancé, Jeff, a native of Ukiah, Calif., also got involved. As a member of the Chandler Toastmasters club, he continually reminded other members to spread the word to vote.
“We feel we are so blessed to have won this wonderful wedding. It’s almost as if the stars lined up because while we are on our honeymoon we will also be celebrating the fourth anniversary of the day we first met,” said Hollie. “I used to go to Naples when I was younger and always thought of it as such a beautiful place, and now that my wedding was held there it makes it that much more special.”
The Wedding in Paradise package included accommodations at the romantic Inn on Fifth in downtown Naples for 20 including the bride, groom and their families and friends In addition, the package included local ground transportation; a rehearsal dinner for all the guests and the wedding officiate; the wedding ceremony with officiate, flowers and music; limousine transportation; a horse-drawn carriage ride for the bride and groom; photography and video of the wedding; a wedding reception with DJ, cocktails and dinner at the Inn on Fifth; a wedding cake; a welcome brunch for
 Winning bride and groom Hollie and Jeff and their wedding party |
The public was invited to visit www.paradisecoast.com where they found compelling video stories from five couples describing why they should win the destination wedding of their dreams. People were then asked to click on the video they found most deserving of the free destination wedding and an unforgettable start to a new life together. Voting took place from March 21 through April 13, 2008. The winning couple was announced April 15, 2008.
Sponsors of the Wedding in Paradise include the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB, which hosted the online contest on its official visitor information Web site; Florida Weddings Online – wedding planning & coordination services, officiate services; The Inn on Fifth – 11 hotel rooms for 3 nights for wedding party, wedding location on curved staircase, plus a wedding reception with cocktails and dinner; Naples Transportation, Tours & Event Planning – family group transportation during the weekend; Fleming’s Restaurant – rehearsal dinner for wedding guests, bride & groom and wedding planner; Zizi’s at Bellasera – brunch on Saturday for wedding guests with bride & groom; Olde Naples Chocolate – welcome chocolates for wedding guests; Naples Princess – lunch cruise for all wedding guests, bride & groom; Kakes By Karen – wedding cake; Julie Goodacre Photography – wedding photography; VCR Productions – wedding video; Floral Encores – wedding flowers; Creative Events & Rentals – linens for reception; Charlene’s Classic Carriages – carriage ride to wedding for bride & parents, carriage ride to reception for bride & groom; music during wedding ceremony by Barbara Krachey and Ron Erickson; Florida Talent Consultants – DJ during reception; Regency Executive Services & Transportation – limo ride to honeymoon hotel for bride & groom; LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort – hotel room for 5 nights for bride & groom honeymoon, plus dinner at Baleen’s restaurant at the resort.
For more information on visiting Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades – The Paradise Coast, call 1-800-688-3600 to request a copy of the free Official Visitors Guide magazine, Discover Florida’s Last Paradise, or start planning your visit, or your own dream destination wedding, at www.paradisecoast.com.
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