Get Married Media Announces Winning Couple of First-Ever Wedding in New York's Times Square on New Year's Eve

ATLANTA, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Get Married Media, a national multi-media wedding planning and lifestyle resource, today announced the winning couple of the first-ever wedding during the New Year's Eve celebration in New York City's Times Square.  With nearly 1900 submissions from couples across the country eager to display their love during the magical evening's festivities, Get Married Media's team selected Bethany Philips and Geoffrey Dubie. From Georgia and North Carolina, respectively, and now Jacksonville, Florida residents, Bethany and Geoffrey met in Iraq where they were serving in the Marine Corps. Although Geoffrey has traveled to many places around the world, his wedding will be his first trip to the Crossroads of the World— Times Square—and to New York City. Get Married will arrange for their "I do's" to be witnessed by 1 million people live in Times Square and seen by millions of viewers around the world.

"We were blown away with the submissions, and it was a really tough selection process.  Some made us laugh, others made us cry, and all were clearly passionate for wanting to Get Married in Times Square," said Stacie Francombe, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Get Married Media.  "What made Bethany and Geoffrey's story especially inspiring was their excitement and clear commitment not only to each other but to their country and their communities.  From their chance meeting in Iraq, to a long-distance relationship that ensued, the two demonstrated to us just how dedicated and admirable they really are. We're excited for our audiences to fall in love with them on this exciting once-in-a-lifetime journey to Times Square!"

Get Married Media's website opened the contest to engaged couples across the US from September 13, 2010 through October 1, 2010. After reviewing all contest entries—many of which were posted as "submission spotlights" online—Get Married's panel narrowed the search down to three finalist couples who received hometown visits in Jacksonville, FL, New Orleans, LA and Alexandria, VA.  

The winning couple…Bethany Philips and Geoffrey Dubie met in Iraq as soldiers deploying in Iraqi Freedom and became engaged on more peaceful sands of a Bahamian beach.  Bethany will be attending Florida State College and University in January to receive a nursing degree.  She is also a singer/songwriter and plays guitar.  Geoffrey is currently attending Jacksonville University, and was enrolled at Coastal Carolina Community College before leaving on his first of two military deployments.  Bethany and Geoffrey recently moved to Jacksonville, Florida where they will start their lives together as a married couple.

"We love adventures and experiencing new things, so winning this amazing wedding experience means so much to us.  We are so grateful and feel incredibly blessed to be able to share our wedding with the world, and see what details the Get Married audience picks for us," said Bethany Philips, Get Married in Times Square's winning bride. 

In addition to sharing their wedding and reception with the world, Bethany and Geoffrey will rely on Get Married's online audience to determine all the important wedding details from partners including David's Bridal, Timeless Designs and Barcelo. Get Married will capture video and images of Bethany and Geoffrey's wedding planning experience, including exciting visits with partners to narrow down selections for public voting on www.GetMarried.com/Times-Square.  Beginning October 25, 2010, Get Married will engage its interactive online audience (www.GetMarried.com), encouraging voting on key wedding elements, including bridal gown, bridesmaids gowns, tuxedos, wedding bands, wedding invitations and wedding cake.  Each wedding component will be part of a virtual gallery of images and videos online, providing information about the details its audience votes on, with the highest number of votes ultimately determining the wedding details for Bethany and Geoffrey's extraordinary wedding in Times Square.

On December 31, 2010, Get Married will videotape Bethany and Geoffrey's wedding preparations and various wedding elements—the walk down the aisle, wedding vows, ring exchange, recessional, reception.

Partnering with Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, co-producers of the world's most famous New Year's Eve celebration, the wedding will broadcast live for the world as well as on the large LED screens around Times Square.  Immediately following the wedding, Get Married will host a reception for the couple's friends and family at Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square. 

To view images and read more about the winning couple—Bethany and Geoffrey—including their engagement story and why they thought they should win this first ever wedding in Times Square this New Year's Eve, visit www.GetMarried.com/Times-Square.

About Get Married Media
Get Married Media is a national, integrated multi-media wedding planning resource that reaches passionate brides online (www.GetMarried.com) and in print (Get Married magazine) and through unique videos.  Get Married connects brides with local and national wedding vendors and experts through entertainment and news.

Get Married magazine (distribution 300,000) is the distinctive shopping and trend guide for the savvy bride.  Moving beyond the traditional ways of delivering a bridal publication, Get Married magazine offers the newest interactive technology, the latest trends in bridal shopping and style, and a colorful, fresh voice in the wedding genre.  For more about Get Married magazine's Microsoft Tag, visit www.getmarried.com/magazinetag  for step-by-step instructions, including a free application download, a list of Tag-friendly phones, as well as an actual Tag to test on your mobile phone.

Get Married magazine and the online portal at www.GetMarried.com offers brides an interactive experience, including an online wedding shop offering wedding invitations, wedding favors, accessories and products as seen in the magazine, as well as a wedding blog, video segments from the show, articles, image galleries and wedding planning tools. 

About Times Square New Year's Eve

The Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment are the organizers of Times Square New Year's Eve. The Times Square Alliance works to improve and promote Times Square so that it retains the energy, edge and distinctiveness that have made it an icon of entertainment, culture and urban life.  Countdown Entertainment, which represents the owners of One Times Square, and the New Year's Eve Ball, is a marketing management and event production company specializing in the Times Square area.

SOURCE Get Married