Crate and Barrel Announces Winner of $100,000 Ultimate Wedding Contest

NORTHBROOK, Ill., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Crate and Barrel, in partnership with DailyCandy, announced today Jaclyn Nolan and Tanin Blumberg, from San Francisco, California, as the Grand Prize winners in the $100,000 Ultimate Wedding Contest. The couple will receive their once-in-a-lifetime dream wedding, valued at $100,000 and designed by A-list celebrity wedding planner Jo Gartin.

Over 9000 entries were received, and the 50 with the highest number of votes from online voters advanced to the final round of judging by a panel composed of representatives from Crate and Barrel, DailyCandy Weddings editor, and celebrity wedding planner Jo Gartin. The panel selected the top three finalists after judging each couple's entry on originality and creativity, how well they represented the Crate and Barrel lifestyle and their standing in the online voting.

"Jaclyn and Tanin enchanted us with their story of finding true love through a chance meeting," said Marjorie Daugherty, Crate and Barrel Gift Registry Director. "Their dream wedding description was simple, welcoming, and casual chic, and reflected their unique sense of style and fun. It really resonated with all our judges."

In addition to the Grand Prize valued at $100,000, judges awarded Crate and Barrel Shop Cards to the Second and Third Prize winners. As winners of the Second Prize, Gregory Jones and Jonathan Howard from Washington, D.C., received a Crate and Barrel Shop Card valued at $7500. Third Prize winners Hannah Cuppett and Karl Burton of Arlington, Texas won a Crate and Barrel Shop Card valued at $2500. With over 21,000 online votes, Mary and Densey Cole of Chicago, Illinois were awarded the "Most Votes" Prize, a Crate and Barrel Shop Card valued at $500.

The Ultimate Wedding Contest introduced an exciting new element to the Crate and Barrel Wedding and Gift Registry program. Crate and Barrel Gift Registry Director Marjorie Daugherty comments, "We were thrilled that more than 9000 couples chose to share their stories and dreams through our Ultimate Wedding Contest.  There were many, many unique and compelling entries, but when our judges read Jaclyn and Tanin's story, they knew they'd found the winner.  We're honored that all of these couples have made Crate and Barrel their Gift Registry choice."

Jo Gartin will be working closely with the couple to help bring all the unique details of their Ultimate Wedding to life. Gartin comments, "I am so excited to work with Jaclyn and Tanin.  I will design a wedding celebration filled with fairytales and moments they will remember forever." DailyCandy will chronicle the trip down the aisle so voters can help celebrate Jaclyn and Tanin's special day.

Honorable Mention prizes of $1000 Crate and Barrel Shop Cards will be awarded to 15 couples in the next month.

About Crate and Barrel

Multi-channel home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel was founded in Chicago in 1962 by retailing pioneers Gordon and Carole Segal.  Working directly with European ateliers and factories to import their products, Crate and Barrel was among the first to make contemporary tabletop and kitchenwares designs affordable to American consumers. Today, Crate and Barrel is an industry leader, known for exclusive housewares and furniture designs, excellent value and superb customer service. In addition to a thriving direct marketing division, the company operates stores in most major North American markets, including Toronto and Calgary. In early 2010, Crate and Barrel partnered with franchisee Al Tayer Group to open the company's first overseas stores in Dubai. Currently under the leadership of CEO Barbara A. Turf, the Crate and Barrel family of brands includes its more modern off-shoot, CB2, and children's home furnishings retailer, The Land of Nod. Crate and Barrel is a privately held company owned by the Otto Group of Hamburg, Germany.

About DailyCandy

DailyCandy Weddings (dailycandy.com/weddings) is a new e-mail and website hopelessly devoted to you and your big day.  DailyCandy, a free daily e-mail newsletter and website distributing 3 million subscriptions daily, is the insider's guide to what's hot, new and undiscovered — from fashion and restaurant news to gadgets and travel.

DailyCandy publishes 28 editions via e-mail, including 12 local editions covering New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas, London, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Philadelphia, Miami, Seattle; one national edition (Everywhere) featuring online picks; and 15 weekly editions comprising 12 local Kids editions (published Mondays); a national Kids edition (Thursdays); DailyCandy Travel (Wednesdays); and DailyCandy Deals (Tuesdays), which features special sales and promotions exclusively for DailyCandy subscribers. DailyCandy is a unit of Comcast Interactive Media.                                                                            

About Jo Gartin

Celebrity wedding planner Jo Gartin is one of the world's most sought-after event planners, known for her taste, chic and creativity. Her firm, Love Luck and Angels, has arranged dazzling and memorable events for many of Hollywood's most admired celebrities, including Courtney Cox, Kate Walsh, Tori Spelling and Isla Fisher. Jo's events have been featured in national publications such as Lucky, People, The Knot, Modern Bride and US Weekly.

SOURCE Crate and Barrel