Brandon is for Brides

They say it takes a village to raise a child. I'd wager with the dress shopping, the guest list making, the shower throwing, the registry, er, registering, and the fistfuls of cash spent, it wouldn't hurt to have one on hand to help you plan your wedding.

And that's what one plucky little town in Vermont realized.

The brain trust behind Brandon, Vermont recognized that a major percentage of tourism to their state owed itself to destination weddings. So why not give away a wedding? And by a wedding I mean they didn't spare any details:

"Lawyer Jeffrey Smith is providing the prenuptial agreement. Floral designer Beth Carr will kick in the corsages. Chef Robert Barral of Cafe Provence is handling the cake. The reception is set for the Lilac Inn, and the rehearsal dinner is being planned at an 18th-century inn just across the street.Even dentist Thomas Coleman is pitching in. He'll be cleaning the happy couple's teeth.Best of all for Kristin Petty and Dan Kelleher: Their dream wedding is on the house, paid for by perfect strangers in a place they've never been."

To score this sweet package valued at $40,000, prospective brides and grooms had to submit an essay on why they felt their love story was worthy of so many strangers coming together to create their perfect day. And even though the winning couple is totally cute, they weren't allowed to submit a photo. And they say pursuing a degree in English is a silly trifle.

So providing that the wedding - taking place this September - goes off without any major snafus, they will hopefully host the contest again. So you 2008 brides still looking for a free shindig? Bookmarkthis siteand brush up on them writing skills. Or marry an English major. Some of us are even kinda cute.