WINNERS OF THE “I DO’ AT THE ZOO
WEDDING PACKAGE GIVEAWAY

Click here to see Stephanie and Terry’s winning entry

My fiancé, Terry, and I grew up in and around the Toledo area, with family and friends nearby; boating and fishing on the Maumee River and Bay; exploring Oak Openings and the Metroparks; Friday night football games in high school; studying at UT; and finally working our way into the professional community. Since we've spent such a long time together- we are 26 but have been together since high school- we thought we'd want to avoid all the planning, stresses, tensions and bridezilla stereotypes that come along with a traditional wedding, not to mention the costs, when personally we would rather start saving to begin a family, which is no cheap feat. Just a private ceremony with a few witnesses was what we envisioned; we even discussed flying off to another place for a small ceremony, but we realized what we'd be missing: the opportunity to celebrate everything that we love about life and our relationship on our once-in-a-lifetime wedding day, with all of our family and friends and a strong sense of place, as in the places where we grew up. We are still two local kids in love, enjoying the beginning of life together.

Fortunately, our realization came in plenty of time before we found a local justice of the peace or packed our bags for Vegas. Far more suiting for two young native adults is a wedding celebration in the midst of Toledo's legendary landmark, one of the most beautiful, full-of-life places we know. To those who grew up like us, The Toledo Zoo is where you go on the yellow bus for elementary school field trips; with your mom to see the pandas when they're visiting from China; with friends on a chilly winter night for the Lights Before Christmas; with a longtime girlfriend or boyfriend for a summer concert and a marriage proposal; for a first corporate outing after you've joined the real world. It's a community gathering place for every stage of growing up, and a place full of majestic birds, regal mammals and primates that remind us to laugh at ourselves; it's a place full of symbols of love and the circle of life. What better place to bring our beautifully diverse friends and families together to witness and celebrate our once-in-a-lifetime day, with the generous help of those local businesses known for working together to create memorable weddings? It would be our honor to begin our marriage in a certainly unforgettable setting and say “I do” at the Toledo Zoo.

-Stephanie

Okay, we admit it, we’re animals; though not the fling your excrement or tree hugging three-toed sloth variety. Instead, we are an educated and professional pair that possess the primal animalistic passion required to forge our bond at the Toledo Zoo. Our All-American appearance and complementary personas would make our donned designer attire, rock ravaged ring fingers, and cake smashed faces infect the surrounding environment and creatures with our own unique love. We see our own reflections when we gaze at one another, join hands, and dance. Our mutual adoration was born in our high school days, and still burns strongly today as we look to a future where we will create a family and continue this magical human drama. Since each human vibrates at a unique frequency, this means we all create sound, and as a couple, resonance. Together we desire to win this contest so that we may share our music with our family, friends, and the generous organizations that can make possible an event like “I Do” at the Toledo Zoo.

-Terry

The “I Do” at the Zoo winning couple will receive:
• A designer gown, compliments of Gallippo’s Studio
• A designer tuxedo, compliments of After Hours Formal Wear
• Rings, courtesy of Alan Miller Jewelers
• Ceremony music provided by Millenius String Quartet
• A Bouquet, boutonniere, & flowers from Glendale Flowers and Gifts
• Wedding decor provided by Creative Touch Decorating by Connie Rice
• A Cake compliments of Connie’s Celebrations
• Linens provided by American Rent-All
• Photography provided by Kanney Contemporary Photography
• Videography provided by New Image Photography
• Music played by Jim Lieber’s Sounds of Music
• Bride & Groom will have their hair done by Reve Salon and Spa
• Make-up by Heather Fitch of Mary Kay Cosmetics
• Ice Sculpture provided by Ice Creations
• Limousine service provided by Tecumseh Trolley & Limousine
• Dinner for two by Courtyard at the Navy Bistro
• A honeymoon suite at Belamere Suites
• A fabulous honeymoon provided by Cindy Keil of Re/Max Masters & premiertravelation.com

a 7 day/6 night stay at the
Gran Melia Cancun!
(click here to view the accommodations)

Contest Information:
WTOL, Clear Channel, toledotietheknot.com & Jim Lieber’s Sounds of Music are offering one lucky couple the opportunity to win the ultimate wedding!

It’s all happening on Sunday, September 9th, 2007 at the “I DO” at the Zoo* Bridal Fair, located at the Toledo Zoo from 3-7pm. The future Bride & Groom will win a custom wedding package, with services donated by our generous vendors, and will actually be married at 6:30pm on September 9th at the Toledo Zoo, in conjunction with the Annual Sounds of Music Fall Bridal Fair.

To be eligible to win this fabulous custom wedding package, participants had to be at least 21 years of age, with residency in the U.S. The contestants needed to submit two paragraphs explaining why they would like to win the “I DO” at the Zoo* wedding package giveaway, along with a recent photograph of themselves, by August 10th, 2007.

“I DO” at the Zoo is sponsored by WTOL, Clear Channel, toledotietheknot.com & Jim Lieber’s Sounds of Music. ***

* The winning couple was selected by a judging panel of participating sponsors and notified by Sounds of Music.

** The “People’s Choice” giveaway will include five finalist couples, with one winner, voted on by the public. Stay tuned for more information.

*** RULES AND PRIZES SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME BY THE PROMOTER.