Watch CBS News

Miami Tourism Board Giving Away $150K Wedding

CORAL GABLES (CBS4) - When things are steamy hot in Miami in June and the tourists aren't as abundant, what do you do to help our tourism industry thrive?

If you are the Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, you create Miami Romance Month where the big giveaway is a $150,000 wedding.

The winning couple gets married at the Biltmore on October 9th.

Lindy Chente and Stephen Hagerman are engaged. They live in Homestead and found out about the contest.  They met on Match.com when he was in Iraq fighting the war and she was in nursing school in South Florida.  With the economy the way it is and Lindy looking for a job they don't have enough money to get married right now so winning the giveaway would be a dream come true.

"We saw the contest and we're like let's try our luck again (online)," said Chente.

They are one of thousands of couples vying for a top notch wedding at the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.

The $150,000 package includes 125 guest, the band, food, flowers, the brides dress, a tuxedo, access to the spa, golf, a free rehearsal dinner at Seasons 52 and brunch the day after the wedding.  Even if you don't win, you win.

"The finalists are already winning because they are flying in and staying at the wonderful Biltmore hotel," said Rolando Aedo with the Convention and Visitors Bureau

The five finalist couples chosen at random will compete in a wedding related competition.

Organizers say the winners must get married on Sunday, October 9th.

Chente and Hagerman just hope their online luck comes through one more time.

"We're very competitive! Brides Beware!" said Chente.

Click Here for more information.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.