For 35 years, the With This Ring Wedding Show has brought the best vendors together to give brides-and-grooms-to-be the chance to plan the weddings of their dreams. Not only do couples get the chance to meet with the businesses that will make their big day a dream come true, but they also get the chance to enter for the Wedding Giveaway. The prize includes everything you need for the perfect event.
“We wanted to celebrate the anniversary of the show and give back to the community,” said Jennifer Vera, owner of Action Rental Waco. “All of the vendors look forward to the wedding giveaway every five years.”
To enter the contest, brides and grooms had to be nominated, tell their love story, and explain why they deserved to be considered. Then, they had their friends and families vote on their submission via social media. The top five couples with the most votes were invited to the wedding show in January, where the vendors voted on who would take home the big prize.
This year’s winners were McKailah Ellisor and Brady Richards. The couple met during the pandemic and maintained a long-distance relationship until Brady was able to transfer to Baylor where McKailah was studying to be a special education teacher.
“I know I will not have a high-paying job, but I did not choose to be a special education teacher for the money. We will have to save for several years before we can get married,” McKailah said in her submission to the giveaway. “I think it would be an amazing opportunity to win this competition and start our incredible journey together as husband and wife.”
The couple’s dreams came true at the Jan. 28 event at the Extraco Events Center in Waco, TX when they were announced as the giveaway recipients.
“We were shocked,” McKailah said. “We thought it would be five years before we would be able to get married. It really meant a lot to us.”
Brady and McKailah met with the vendors after winning the giveaway and planned their perfect day. The couple tied the knot at Fossil Creek Retreat on June 30 and were so grateful for the experience.
“We just want to thank all the vendors,” McKailah said. “We would have never been able to afford such a beautiful wedding. We are just very appreciative.”
Photographer - Cerria Maryann Photography
