Ken and Nathan Selvaraja, owners of Lanka Jewels Mission, presented the 'Soulmates' grand prize to Brendan and Jessica last Friday 17th April. The contest started March 2nd 2015 and invited the community to vote for ten competing engaged couples.
The latest reality contest presented by The Abbotsford News/Mission Record was featured in a special publication - "Image Magazine: Wedding Edition". It is published as a 32-page glossy magazine and a 76-page extended interactive version posted online at abbynews.com/lifestyles.
The couples were selected from among those who responded to a post on the Abbotsford News' Facebook page.
A select few were then asked to email their responses to 30 questions, and an Abbotsford News panel selected the finalists.
Fun profiles on each couple were included in the wedding publication, with access to a video of them and their full responses to the questionnaire.
Readers were then invited to participate in online voting, starting March 2, at abbynews.com/contests to eliminate the contestants.
The winning couple (Jessica and Brendan) received a gift certificate for $3,500 from Lanka Jewels in Mission. The nine other couples all received a $200 gift certificate from Lanka.
A $250 shopping spree prize draw was also presented to Andy Emans for the random 'voter' prize.
Online Bridal Guide: Image magazine: Wedding Edition 2015
The online special edition features numerous articles of interest to brides- and grooms-to-be on topics such as selecting the gown, dress terminology, cakes and design, destination weddings, top 10 trending photo locations, choosing the rings, and flower girl alternatives.
Readers will be able to view more than 20 videos and click on dozens of helpful links, as well as access full-colour images and useful tips and stats.
Readers can also connect directly with local vendors by simply clicking social media links within their advertisements.
The online edition also includes video and photos from the Valentine's Day wedding of Jeramey and Angela of Abbotsford. Angela, who was born and raised in Abbotsford, and Jeramey, who was born on Vancouver Island, but lived across the country growing up, met for the first time at a Christmas party 17 years ago. They were just friends until they met for a movie last year. Their first date was at Paliotti's in Abbotsford.
This online wedding magazine will be available for a full 365 days, with a new update in 2016.