the Wedding Planner

UK Wedding News

14/02/2012

Couples Win Empire State Building Valentine's Wedding

Four lucky couples will say "I do" when they receive their own private, personalized, lavish wedding ceremonies created by celebrity event planner Colin Cowie at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day, the only time couples are able to marry at the building.

The Empire State Building and ColinCowieWeddings.com has announced the winners of the 18th annual Valentine's Day Weddings Event, held at the iconic landmark throughout the day.

Couples from across the USA submitted videos describing their love stories and why they should be chosen to marry or renew their vows at ESB.

After 16 semi-finalists were selected by a panel of experts from CCW, ESB, Kleinfeld and Christian Oth Studio, the public voted for their favorite couples at www.Facebook.com/ColinCowieWeddings.

The winning couples who will share the most memorable day of their lives with their family, friends and the world at the iconic landmark are:

• Stephanie Figarelle and Lela McArthur (Anchorage, AK) This couple first met in Anatomy and Physiology class and have been a team ever since. Now, the first-time visitors to NYC look forward to celebrating their love in one of the most recent states to pass marriage equality legislation.

• Phil Fung and Shawn Klein (New York, NY) The self-described "best friends" have been committed for over 18 years and will be the first same-sex couple from New York State to marry at ESB. On the 14th they will be surrounded by their friends and loving families, with some hailing from Shawn's home state of North Dakota!

•Angela Vega and Lubin Masibay (San Francisco, CA) After many movie nights spent watching Sleepless in Seattle , these two fun-loving nurses are thrilled to be getting married in the building made famous in the romantic film.

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• Paula Cubero and Enrique Catter (Greenwich, CT) The couple, originally from Mexico and Peru respectively, met in NYC and planned a wedding in Mexico which was canceled due to a swine flu scare. Now expecting their first child, they are thrilled to wed in front of family and friends in the city where they fell in love at first sight.

"For 80 years, the Empire State Building has been an iconic destination for lovers from around the world...this is the ideal backdrop to celebrate the most romantic day of the year," said Melanie Maasch, Director of Brand Development and Public Relations at ESB. "With Colin Cowie's expertise, we are making dreams come true by creating stylishly elegant weddings for our winning couples."

Earlier today, to kick-off the weddings event the following day, actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, NFL star Rodney Peete, pulled a giant switch to light ESB red, pink and white in honour of Valentine's Day. After the lighting, the couple will renew their vows tonight at ESB in a stunning ceremony designed by Cowie, who also created their romantic wedding design 17 years ago.

"I am thrilled to be partnering with the Empire State Building to bring these four incredible couples the wedding of their dreams," exclaims Colin Cowie. "Each wedding will be completely unique and customized for each couple, highlighting the top bridal trends from for 2012. I'm especially touched to create a romantic vow renewal for my friends Holly and Rodney 17 years after the wedding I designed for them. Their love story is truly an inspiration."

Colin Cowie is one of the world's foremost authorities in lifestyle and wedding planning. During his 25-year career, Cowie has created and produced events for numerous high-profile and celebrity clients including Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian. By personally curating every detail of the private ceremonies for the four winning couples, Colin will transform recently renovated spaces at ESB into glamorous events complementing the building's Art Deco heritage and grandeur.

As part of the prize package, each couple will exchange De Beers rings. Each bride will receive a designer gown from Kleinfeld, shoes from Nina Shoes. Makeup will be provided by Estee Lauder. The grooms will be outfitted by Men's Wearhouse. The couples will enjoy a two-night stay in Manhattan's exclusive Pierre Hotel, where the CCW team of editors, stylists and photographer Christian Oth will prepare them for their special day. Couples will celebrate with private ceremonies and receptions with four unique looks featuring Dom Perignon and Godiva Chocolatier. Some of Cowie's favorite vendors, including Mary Giuliani Catering & Events; Swarovski; Cake Opera; Resource One, Inc.; Luxury Linens; Grymes Cannon Designs; Troy Curtis, Inc.; Classic Party Rentals; Red Bliss; and Levy Lighting, will create an unforgettable experience.

One Grand Prize couple will have the chance to win a $100,000 cash prize to kick off their married life in style. Following the February 14th ceremonies, albums and video from each wedding, shot by Christian Oth Studio, will be posted online for the public to view and then vote for their favourite wedding. The couple with the most votes will return to New York City to pick one of 15 envelopes, with the chance to win.

(GK)

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"Four lucky couples will say "I do" when they receive their own private, personalized, lavish wedding ceremonies created by celebrity event planner Colin Cowie at the Empire State Building on Valentin