Saturday, February 9, 2008

Dream wedding in the works

Tomé couple picked as finalists for for free wedding giveawy package

Jackie Schlotfeldt News-Bulletin Staff Writer; jschlotfeldt@news-bulletin.com

Tomé It was on a sandy beach in South Padre, with the glow from the moonlight dancing across the water and the sounds of the ocean waves crashing in the distance, that Joshua Sers got down on one knee and asked Nicole Aragon to be his wife.

Aragon couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting for a marriage proposal from the man she loves. For Aragon, it was one of the most romantic things she could imagine, and as she reflects back to that moment in time, she thinks about the timing of the proposal and the announcement of the first New Mexico Dream Wedding giveaway and how they coincided with each other.

"It makes you want to think it's meant to be somehow," Aragon said. "This is the first year they've ever held it (the dream wedding contest), and the timing of the proposal, the way it's worked out — I don't know, you just never know."

Aragon and Sers are one of the top five finalists of couples vying for the New Mexico Dream Wedding giveaway, which consists of a complete wedding event from the wedding gown, flowers, cake and photographer to an all-expense paid honeymoon getaway to Italy, which when combined, totals $50,000.

And while weddings can be expensive, Sers said there's no way they could afford to spend as much as the dream wedding provides through their giveaway.

"Not even a fraction," Sers said smiling.

It was two and a half years ago that Aragon and Sers met while in college at the University of New Mexico, and Sers said after Aragon reeled him in with her gorgeous smile, all she had to do was be herself, and he was hooked.

"We developed a friendship that grew rapidly into a love that could not be broken," Sers said. "She was perfect. After spending time with her, I knew she was the one."

The groom-to-be said that finding that special someone that shares the same values as you do is hard to find, but he's one of the lucky ones.

"Fortunately for me, I found that person that brings out the best in me, and I love her for that," Sers said.

Aragon was drawn to Sers' fun-loving personality, and it wasn't long before she fell in love with him.

"He truly has a very loving and kind spirit," Sers said. "I know this sounds very cliché, but I knew Josh was 'the one' only a few months into our relationship. We had an unconditional and strong bond from the start."

And although the happy couple had set a date for their wedding, it was while trying on wedding gowns at Bridal Elegance by Darlene in Albuquerque that Aragon first found out about the New Mexico Dream Wedding contest last fall. Even though her fiancé was a little skeptical at first, they decided to enter and give it their best shot.

With more than 600 applicants, the news that they had made it into the top five came as quite a shock.

"What happened was, I didn't answer my phone so they called Josh," Aragon explained. "He called me, and said 'guess what, we're in the top five.'

"I didn't believe him," the bride-to-be recalls laughing. "I thought, someone's trying to play a joke on us."

But it was no joke. And now, Nicole and Joshua are hoping that they will receive enough of New Mexico residents' votes to win the wedding giveaway. While a panel of judges, in addition to the sponsors of the event, narrowed the 600 applicants down to the five finalists, the final say on who will win the dream wedding will be up to residents of New Mexico, when they cast their vote for their favorite couple online February 8, 9 and 10.

The idea behind the New Mexico Dream Wedding giveaway all began when Co-Producer Lainie Quirk, owner of Starlight Event Design in Albuquerque, and Co-Producer Susan Caplan, owner of Patisserie C, Creative Cakes and Cookies in Albuquerque, decided to do a statewide competition that is similar to the national competition put on by The Today Show.

"It started out as a way to give back to an industry we had worked hard in for years," Quirk said in telephone interview. "It's now blossomed into a great project."

Although the two women own their own companies, throughout their years of interaction with each other's businesses, they decided to form their production company, QC Productions Ltd, LLC.

"Lainie and I wanted to create a unique and exciting way to show our appreciation while bringing the community together," Caplan said in a news release. "This effort of giving one deserving couple a wedding beyond their dreams in this beautiful state each year is in essence, a dream come true for us."

By recruiting sponsors to offer their specialty services such as wedding attire, jewelry, wedding cakes, flowers, music, catering and travel arrangements, the duo put into action the statewide event.

Couples interested in winning the Dream Wedding, were required to write an essay that told about themselves and their journey to getting engaged, and why they are the ones that should win this fabulous dream wedding.

"It's been fun," Aragon said.

"It's been an experience," Sers added almost simultaneously.

"Even making it this far has been awesome," Aragon said lovingly to her fiancé. "It's something we will always remember."

While Aragon and Sers had set a wedding date of May 31, Aragon explained that if they win the dream wedding, the date will be moved up to May 3.

"I didn't realize how much there was to planning a wedding," Sers said.

Quirk said through numerous sponsors for the event, everything needed to put on an elegant wedding will be provided for the winning couple.

"It's the whole kit and caboodle," Sers said with a little laugh.

And although the couple has a "plan B" in place in the event that they don't win, they are hoping that they will receive enough votes so they can start out their lives together a little easier.

"It would help us start our lives together in so many ways," Aragon said. "We want to have a wedding...," "That brings out the best in everyone," Sers said, finishing her sentence.

Both Aragon and Sers were born and raised in New Mexico, and they said that their families are really excited for them and are doing their best to get them more votes.

"They just want us to have a wonderful day," Aragon said.

"My mom calls herself the 'self-appointed campaign manager,'" Sers said laughing.

Aragon is the daughter of Victor and Darlene Aragon of Tomé, and granddaughter of Buddy and Eleanor Aragon and Alfonso and Griselda Marquez. Sers is the son of Bruce and Emily Sers of Albuquerque, and grandson of Anthony and Doris Sers and Trancito and Dorothy Romero.

In their essay to the New Mexico Dream Wedding, Aragon and Sers said they felt they would best represent New Mexico because they were born and raised in the Land of Enchantment, and they love the diverse culture and traditions that New Mexico represents.

"We'd be very grateful," Sers said, if they won the contest.

"It would be really nice," Aragon added. "We'd be proud to represent New Mexico."

To learn more about Nicole and Joshua's journey, go to www.nmdreamwedding.com and click on couple No. 5. You can also cast your votes online February 8, 9, and 10 at www.nmdreamwedding.com

"New Mexico residents will decide (the winner)," Quirk said. "It's up to the public to vote."

The winner of the New Mexico Dream Wedding will be announced on February 14, Quirk said.

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