Would you be willing to turn all the major decisions about your wedding and honeymoon over to a national TV audience? In the first year of the contest, nearly a thousand couples vied for the chance to do so and win a free dream wedding from NBC-TV's Today Show.
"Today Throws a Wedding" - 2004
"Today Throws a Wedding" - 2003
In 2000, New York couple Peter Ginsberg and Melanie Nelson were selected by a majority of the 120,000 online voters, and agreed to appear on the 12-week "Today Ties the Knot" series. It's been up to the at-home audience choose just about every important aspect of their wedding.
Here's what the audience selected:
Wedding Bands - for the bride, a platinum, 11-diamond channel-set Tiffany ring. For the groom, a classic matching 5 mm platinum band.
Bride's Gown - Ivory silk duchesse satin sleeveless pearl-and-diamond gown by Carolina Herrera with an embroidered bateau neck, V-back, drop waist, pleated ball gown, and sweep train.
Groom's Tuxedo - Formal single-breasted Chaps Ralph Lauren tuxedo with notch lapel. Turn-down collar with straight tie and vest. Pants with striped rib down the leg.
Bridesmaid Dresses - Two-toned plum satin gown by Watters and Watters.
Invitations - folded square invitation by Envelopments for Kate's Paperie. Layered floral paper tied with a matching lavender ribbon and sealed in a vellum envelope. A dried flower is included.
Menu - Traditional brunch from The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center featuring French toast, poached salmon, and berries with yogurt.
Cake - Yellow butter cake by Sylvia Weinstock decorated with marzipan fruit and hand-molded sugar flowers in fall colors. Inside, chocolate mousse alternates with fresh strawberry cream filling.
Her Sleepwear - Short lavender Oscar de la Renta nightgown and robe set with lacy hem.
His Sleepwear - Gray Kenneth Cole pajama set with long matching robe.
Flowers - bouquet of lavender, green and blue hydrangeas, metallic and black beauty roses, deep violet sweet peas, and thistle multi-colored roses by J. Gordon Designs.
The Honeymoon
The choices were:
1. ITALY: Rome and Venice- Visits to St. Peter's Basilica, the Colosseum, Piazza Navona, and the restored Sistine Chapel ceiling in Rome. Venice sight-seeing includes St. Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Doges' Palace, plus a gondola ride.
2. FRANCE: Paris and Nice- Trips to the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Champs Elysées in Paris, with time for cafés au lait on Boulevard Saint Germain. Then onto Nice, for beach-going, people-watching, and the casino at night.
3. MEXICO: Acapulco- A sunny resort with a private pool and a view of Acapulco Harbor in the place where Presidents Kennedy and Clinton both enjoyed their honeymoons.
4. USA: Hawaii- Island hopping, exploring the diverse Polynesian cultures, beach sports, and a totally relaxing experience.
To plan your own romantic vacation, see:
