This Experience started on Thanksgiving day!

The Belmont Wedding Experience!!!!

*Belmont Wedding Experience Update***

It's happening this week!! Can you believe it is here?!?!

Saturday February 4th, the top ten couples get to meet with the panel of judges to tell their story!!!

The panel will meet each couple and get to ask questions to know each couple better. Then the panel will narrow down the top ten to the top three most deserving couples to win a wedding of a lifetime worth up to $20,000.00!!!!

So what is the Belmont Wedding Experience?

The Belmont Wedding experience is a way that the wedding community as a whole gives back! The experience usually evolves into something so much bigger than it was initially meant to be. We gift the venue, catering, flowers, DJ services, photography, cake, coordination, rentals and so much more!!!

Your wedding should easily exceed $20,000.00 when we're done!

But who wins?

Well this one is hard. We title it as a "deserving couple", but what justifies deserving? This is where it gets interesting. What does deserving mean to you? Deserving is a word that so many can decipher so many different ways, which affords us the opportunity to hear so many different stories. As a venue, we see so much love. But what about the people we never get to see? The people who simply could never afford that huge wedding? The people who simply cannot take that financial dive? We want to meet them. We want to understand their story and hopefully provide an opportunity.

The three couples that have won in the past all use one sentence to sum up the experience - "It was life changing!".

Now we will have our forth winners soon and just as the previous three have said, "We had no idea we were going to win!".

You won't know until you try! Over 300 couples entered their story, they let us get to know them. Now we are down to our top ten. All of their stories are listed below. Please get to know them. Saturday, these ten are going to be narrowed down to three!!!!

Submission entries were closed on January 3rd at noon.

Good luck to the top ten!

February 5th 2023 update:

The top ten have now been narrowed down to the FINAL FOUR! Two couples were tied for the number three spot, so we decided to have a Final Four instead of a TOP THREE! It's going to be an interesting ride! Monday February 6th 2023, voting starts at 7:00 a.m. EST.

Continue to follow this page for details!

Our top four contestants are listed below!

You can vote for Emily and Marcus by clicking HERE

You can vote for Hailey and Justin by clicking HERE

You can vote for Spencer and Kyle by clicking HERE

You can vote for Taylor and Dominec by clicking HERE

Remember, voting starts Monday at 7:00 a.m.

Emily and Marcus

When we fell in love, my parents were opposed. Why you ask? I am white, and my love is black. We had to do a court house wedding because I was cut off and I had to pay for the rest of my senior year of college, and in order to get the loans I needed we had to marry. We wanted to of course, but we have never had the big wedding we planned. We had many trials and tribulations, but we have continued to make our relationship stronger than ever over the years. Fast forward to 13 years of marriage later- and we still haven’t had a wedding. Our parents now are wonderfully involved and accepting, no issues at all these days, but we have never had a proper wedding. My husband is a firefighter, and I am a middle school teacher. My husband is amazing and admired by many, and it would be so special to have a wedding to share our love. We have two amazing sons who are 9 and 6. It would be so special to have them part of our big day. My grandma is also about to turn 90, and I’m not sure how much longer she will be around. She absolutely adores my husband, and it would be a treasure for her to be part of our wedding and the timeless photos with her in them. After 13, almost 14 years of marriage but no wedding it would mean the world to me to win this experience. It would be a true blessing. Please consider us for this. Thank you.

hailey and justin

We are both native to Brown Summit and have been 5 miles apart our entire lives. Our love story is definitely a happy one but we’ve also had our fair share of obstacles. First, Justin fell in love with the small town waitress at a local sports bar. After 2 years I finally gave in and realized what I was missing out on! We had been together almost 3 years when I found out I was pregnant. We were over the moon excited. Unfortunately my pregnancy wasn’t easy by any means. At 19 weeks we found out that our sweet baby Cade had a kidney problem that would not allow his lungs to fully develop. We endured 3 in utero surgeries,5 epidurals, and a c-section all within about 6 months. Our sweet Cade passed away after only living for 1 day and 16 hours. Our love has only grown stronger for one another. Our love is what ties us to our Cade in heaven. Our love has been through so many trials and tribulations and thankfully made it out on the better side of our situation. It would be such a blessing to celebrate our love with family and friends at this beautiful venue despite all of our loss. We are so grateful for this opportunity of a lifetime!

#LoveConnersAll

Spencer and Kyle

My name is Chelsea Greeson and I am submitting this on behalf of two incredible people. As someone who has watched this couple grow individually and also watch their relationship progress over the past 6+ years, I can confidently say that these two are genuinely deserving. When I heard the radio pitch on my ride to work Thursday morning, December 15th, I knew I had to take it upon myself to tell a little bit of how their story has unfolded and give them the possibility of a beautiful wedding day they’ll never forget.

Who are Kyle and Spencer?
Spencer is compassionate, understanding, selfless, and everything good about a good human being. She grew up with her older sister, Elise, as her best friend. Elise was born with special needs that require her to be completely dependent on a caretaker and they were raised by their single mother. Spencer is an advocate for the special needs community and has worked to raise awareness of inclusion and progression when it comes to adults with special needs. After knowing Spencer for some time, I’m still in awe of her ability to make every person she comes in contact with feel as though they’ve known her forever. She stands up for what’s right, always, and she’s fiercely loyal to the people closest to her.

Kyle is a wild child in the most literal since. He’s charismatic, lively, and even a little rambunctious at times. If he’s in a room - everyone knows it. He’s proudly, openly, and loudly his most genuine, goofy self. What a lot of people don’t see if that Kyle is also attentive, thoughtful, and sincere. He loves hard and would do anything for the people he cares about. One of my favorite versions of Kyle is when he’s with Spencer’s sister, Elise. He’s her best bud, he never dims her shine, and they love to exchange (sometimes inappropriate) jokes and crack up like no one’s watching.

Backstory
Kyles father passed away a few years ago. His dad was his best friend & idol. Although it was sudden, tragic, and unexpected, and Kyle wasn’t typically one to be emotional, he processed it all with his heart on his sleeve - never once hiding or feeling ashamed of his emotions. He used this tragedy as an opportunity to draw the people he loved nearer to him and show people a softer side of himself that not many had seen.

Spencer’s mom was diagnosed with cancer when she was very young but went through treatment, overcame it, and was cancer free. Her mom has been Elise’s primary caretaker 24/7 while also enjoying life and never missing out on an adventure. Earlier this year, her mom started have some back and abdominal pain and thinking it could just be something as simple as a fractured rib or some minor arthritis, she went to the doctor for some relief. Unfortunately the news was much more serious than anticipated. After many tests and scans, they found the cancer had returned and that it is rapidly spreading throughout her body.

The Proposal
Kyle had been ready to propose to Spencer for what seemed like forever!! And the news of Spencer’s mom, although devastating, made us all a little more aware & appreciative of life and how valuable time spent together is. I couldn’t have been happier when I heard the news that he finally put a ring on it - it was about time!! And while Spencer was thrilled, in true Spencer fashion, her humility was ever present and planning a wedding has been on her back burner. I’ve seen the Pinterest boards and I know she has a vision of what her big day will be like. The aesthetics, flowers, colors, etc., but in conversation about solidifying any plans, going dress shopping, or touring venues, she just mentions how it’s just not going to be possible & I can tell she doesn’t want to get her hopes up. Her moms treatment comes first. She has no clue how they’ll afford to pay for a wedding right now. She’s done her best to enjoy this season of life but also while preparing for her mothers passing and the inevitable possibility of having to make a life altering decision - moving her sister to an around the clock care facility or taking on the vast responsibility of becoming her primary caretaker.

Why them?
Witnessing Kyle be Spencer’s biggest supporter and source of comfort and peace during this difficult time has been a true testament of his love. I might would even dare to say he’s more excited one of the pair to curate the most perfect wedding. Most importantly though, this opportunity would give Spencer the chance to breathe a little easier during this monumental time of her life. My hopes are to be able to see Spencer’s mom attend her wedding, walk her down the aisle, and watch her begin her new journey of the next chapter with the love of her life.

Sincerely,

A friend of 2 deserving lovebirds

DISCLOSURE: I, Chelsea Greeson, am submitting this on behalf of Spencer Despain and Kyle Pagani. If chosen as the recipient of this contest, all benefits will go to the 2 above mentioned individuals. Their contact information can be provided if selected as the recipients.

Taylor and Dominec

We met in 2016, I was his bank teller. He had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. I had a 3 month old son (Colton) and he had a 5 year old son (Jayden). Our relationship was unlike any that I had ever had. Dominec is such a kind, caring and wonderful person. He always put everyone before himself. Our relationship begin fun. Taking trips to the beach, out of town shopping, and just enjoying life with our babies. In 2018 our whole world changed. Jayden was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes. We learned to count carbs, give insulin shots and wake up several times during the night to check glucose levels. Our family overcame and Jayden thrives! He loves sports and makes A’s in school and is such a kind soul like his dad. 2019 I was diagnosed with a rare spine disease and a rare brain disease. I was working at Elon University at the time. I had several appointments every week and working full time took a toll on my body. I became disabled and needing spine surgery. I no longer had the energy or strength to continue working. Dominec has stood by my side and has loved me through it. He has taken care of me. He has feed me when I could do it myself, he has push my wheelchair at the age of 29 and he has taken care of our family on days when I couldn’t take care of myself. He has supported our family on 1 income and never complained. We have had a lot of mountains blocking our way but we have moved them together as a family. Unfortunately, with his income and me on disability we aren’t able to afford a wedding. Especially not the one this amazing man deserves. I have never felt such complete love. I am honored to be his fiancé and I can’t wait until I am able to walk down an aisle to meet him. I would love for my grandfather to be able to walk me down the aisle to the man who my family and I prayed for. Our journey started 6 years ago on 10/13/2016 and we have forever to go.

Latest update on 02/12/2023

Belmont Wedding Experience Update

Soon all of the numbers will be revealed and a top team will be declared! Voting ends at noon on Monday, February 13th 2023! Then the couples get to relax, family and friends did everything they could do to help them, people who don't even know the couples will wait anxiously to see who took first place. The numbers will be said live on 107.5 KZL on the Jared & Katie in the morning show on Valentines Day morning!

When I woke up this morning, February 12th 2023, couple one and two were literally only 314 votes away from each other. Couple number three was lagging behind by roughly 14,000 votes and couple number four unfortunately hasn't hit 15,000 votes in total yet. As we know, the other three couples have all surpassed 100,000 votes in total. But can you imagine couple one and two only being 314 votes away from each other? We have never had an experience where all three couples were this close! Usually there is a front runner! Last experience, Team Nancy and Dylan and Team Deanna and Lance were so extremely close as well. But never have three couples been so close! The couples all have a good idea on where they are with rankings and we did share ranking publicly a few times to let the public know where we are. All of the couples are in a group chat and you know what, they cheer each other on. They are the superstars and were chosen for all the right reasons.

Emotions are high! Some people are running on just fumes! Family members, friends and people the couples don't even know want them to win! I get a ton of messages from so many. Some find some aspects of the experience awesome, some not so awesome. Some find some aspects unfair. Heck I had one wonderful lady reach out to us and thank us for all that we're doing. Then say that businesses are helping couples and it's not fair. Yet, a day before she messaged me this, I saw a business helping her couple lol. :) She didn't realize this of course and thought she was doing right by the couple. But so many don't get to see what we see as we're tagged in a lot. When I say emotions are high, they're high. Some post with the wrong wording, some post without thinking. Just know, I know it's hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it. We're talking about a wedding valued up to $20,000.00! This is a huge prize! Already Shane Lawrence / Imagine Travel and Julio have teamed up to include an incredible romantic vacation to Punta Cana! This is no small prize and these couples know this! They know if they want to win, they have to work for it! They have done television interviews, gone live on facebook, solicited businesses and more... The more is really important here. Because they reached out to people that they may not have reached out to in quite a while, as now there was a purpose. People have reached out to our couples that have not reached out to them in quite a while, as now they had a purpose. The couples have met new friends, a new circle if you will! Because sometimes life passes us by and sometimes we need a common denominator to get us all back together. Isn't that what weddings do? They help us all join together and celebrate a newly found love, an old love or a love that should have been celebrated correctly a long time ago. All too often, we let life slip by without checking on people or getting together with them. The experience brings communities together and of course a common denominator throughout.

As I said, emotions are high. But know this experience brings out a lot of positive! We have had the couples tell us how thankful they are to even be a part of it win or lose. One couple wrote this "Also I’m a little emotional this morning lol I am so thankful for the experience. It has been so awesome and win or lose I feel like a winner so thank you so much for this! My heart is so full!" This couple gets it, they all get it! As much as emotions are high, let's look at the big picture. This opportunity was not here just a few short months ago. It is now and because of it, someone is going to win it all. As much as we wish we could give away four weddings worth $20,000.00, it took a lot of kind souls to make this one happen. As much as we wish we could give away four ridiculously amazing honeymoons, it took three kind hearts to pay for the one included in the experience. Now, if you're still following me this far down and didn't stop reading to go vote and if you have followed our other experiences in the past, you know that we always award couple number two, couple number three and couple number four a 50% discount off of any of our packages! Huge savings right? This could be our luxury minimony package or our fall-inclusive wedding package. Which means we give up our profit on those three weddings as well. As we still have to pay the caterers, photographers, DJ, Florist, coordinators, rental company and more... Please don't comment about this, as we really do enjoy it being a surprise on the air. In fairness, for those who didn't put the work in and read all the way through, they can wait. ;)

So what is the Belmont Experience? For those who don't know, it started on Thanksgiving! I know right?!?! We open the experience on Thanksgiving Day, this is when couples submit their entry form and read the rules of the experience. Couples can be nominated or submit a form themselves, right up until the beginning of January. Then, the venue has a sounding board to bring all of those applicants down to ten finalists. This experience at the Belmont Mansion had well over 300 couples submit their stories. The sounding board narrowed it down to ten. The final ten go in front of the judges panel. The judges panel consists of another venue, two wedding vendors, a previous couple who paid for their experience, and previous couples who have won other experiences. Then we add in two staff members and myself. It's a lot right? But the experience is a methodical contest that is more thought out than most take the time to comprehend. You see, we use the word "deserving" because the word deserving means something different to so many different people based on their past experiences were in life. "Deserving" is the one word that meant something different to so many, yet allowed unity to happen when understanding why the top ten was formed.

On to the couples meeting the judges, all in one day. The judges have all read their stories numerous times. This is everyone's opportunity to connect with each other! Because the judges have to bring the top ten, down to the top three. (yes, I know there is a final four this time. Long story, another day. I just personally couldn't say no to couple number four and wanted to give them an opportunity) (another day ;) )

So now we have our top three (final four) and now it is their turn to do everything we mentioned above. So far, they have done an extraordinary job and of course we want everyone to win, who wouldn't. But what would be the point of trying, if everyone won the same prize right? So as mentioned above, there are tiers. Too many comment with ignorance instead of giving us the benefit of the doubt or simply doing the research to get a better understanding on what the experience is all about before commenting. Although, simply commenting is much easier and we live in a society of instant gratification, so no judgement here. :)

Next, the vendors who donated their services will compete against each other. Crazy again right? The vendors donate their services and have to compete to win the couples wedding!!!! I know :) But again, trust me here, it's quite an experience. If you're a fan of marketing, you'll love the psychological elements at play here. You'll see weeks of vendors competing for the Belmont Wedding Experience. Who are those vendors? Well let me introduce them. :)

Catering: Culinary Visions Catering & Gianos Catering

Photographers: Photos by Clay & Brian Anthony Photography

DJ's: DJ Rone and TK the DJ

Florists: Soft Touch Flowers & Gifts and Serena Design

Rental Company: Happy Rentz

Wedding Cake: Bake Me Happy

All of these wonderful humans are donating their services and hope to be part of this experience!

Then the winning couple attends our unique day of interviews. This is where they meet the vendors (all of them) for the first time at the Belmont Mansion! All vendors come to our couples. Why? Because planning a wedding is hard and when you can do the majority of it in one day, life becomes easier. It's a whole lot easier on our couples, if they sit in the lap of luxury, while vendors line up to meet them. Don't you think?

We will present the couples favorite three options in each category! For instance, their favorite three bouquets. But the public will vote on which one she gets!

It's really unique! It's a great way for everyone to stay involved and the couple usually loves it because it simplifies everything!

After the couples day of interviews, they will plan individually on their own with the vendors. They'll keep the public up to speed on how everything is going. But eventually we hit the wedding day, which the couple chose of course! We'll bring it to you live, have tons of images and so much more!

But first, we have to get to tomorrow February 13th at noon, because that is when voting ends!

Then, live on the radio to see who persevered the hardest!

Good luck to everyone and be kind lol. Emotions are high because you want something for your couple. But there are three other couples with families who want it for them too. Each couple had a different strategy and they really started figuring things out at about day four. You gotta hand it to them all, in a unique way, they all taught us a lesson. They will let us know what lessons they learned and what they took from the experience on Monday after voting ends. Again, good luck to all!