They were surrounded by family, friends, and complete strangers 鈥� and for their big day, the Akermans wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way.
On Saturday, Dec. 30, the Historic O鈥橩eefe Ranch was transformed into a magical wedding venue for Diane and Corey Akerman, who won an all expenses paid wedding at the ranch little over a month ago.
It was a pre-New Year鈥檚 Eve celebration, and Okanagan wedding specialist Dee Cristante, who created the wedding contest in partnership with O鈥橩eefe, put together a full itinerary of wedding activities that culminated in a mock New Year鈥檚 Eve countdown to midnight.
The shotgun wedding extravaganza kicked off with, well, a shotgun. Westwold鈥檚 Joe Danger popped outside the venue and let loose a blast from his shotgun, signalling the beginning of the special night.
Moments later, Corey got his first glimpse of his bride in her wedding dress as she was led into the venue.
鈥淚 knew she was going to be beautiful, she always is, but that was just beyond anything I could ever have imagined, just how beautiful she looked,鈥� Corey said after the knot had been tied.
After the grand entrance, the ceremony, the vows and some matrimonial tears, Corey and Diane were now the Akermans.
Three years ago when the couple got engaged, their future wedding seemed out of sight, and the couple said the wedding contest presented the chance to have their dream wedding come true.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just been so exciting and we鈥檙e so glad everybody could show up to see us tonight, and we appreciate everything,鈥� said Diane. 鈥淲e鈥檙e so excited that we were given this opportunity, because it鈥檚 definitely more than we ever dreamed of.鈥�
鈥淲ith us not having the finish line in sight and then have it presented as an option for us, this is beyond anything we could have ever done ourselves,鈥� Corey added.
Not having the stress of having to plan a wedding was an added bonus for the couple, and on this point, Corey sympathized with his sister, who he said still has a year to go until her big day.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to my sister鈥檚 wedding next year,鈥� he said, beaming.
The Akermans didn鈥檛 know everyone who showed up to their wedding 鈥� that was part of the fun. The only catch to the shotgun wedding contest was that the chosen couple had to get married in front of a live audience of people who purchased tickets to be a part of the big day, and the Akermans embraced all who attended with open arms.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a dream come true,鈥� Diane said.
After the ceremony, the night was filled with dancing, music, champagne, pizza, wedding cake, cupcakes for the guests, and dreams of 2024, the first year the Akermans will embark on as husband and wife.
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