Announcing the Winners!

Posted on14 Feb 2010

Vanessa and Mike

Happy Valentine’s Day from the San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway! Valued at $100,000.00, this platinum style wedding is being donated to one lucky couple by the bay area’s top wedding vendors, and the winner is being announced today.
After six weeks of public voting, the winning couple has been selected, and will be married on May 14, 2010 at Hotel Vitale in San Francisco. Over 350 couples entered the contest from all over the nation, and five of those made it to the finalists’ round. Read their stories here.

All photos courtesy of Kate Triano

Currently residing in Virginia, Vanessa Muza Teskey and Michael Hawkins were chosen by the public as America’s Sweethearts, and we are thrilled by this exciting news!  Vicki Grafton of My Simple Details in Fairfax, VA surprised the couple with the news, and Silk and Silver Productions caught it all on video and Kate Triano captured these pictures as the news was revealed.
See the video here!

Here is Vicki Grafton revealing for the first time that they won!
Vanessa and Mike met after graduating from the Air Force Academy, and fell in love after Michael’s friends encouraged him to ask her out.  Mike deployed overseas and Vanessa was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. From 11,000 miles apart, their belief in God and the contest gave them hope for a brighter future.  Throughout the course of the contest, Vanessa’s health has been improving.

All photos courtesy of Kate Triano

Now they really have something to look forward to, as the prize they have won includes everything needed for a high-end, luxurious wedding, and all they have to do is show up!
Along with 75 of their closest friends and family, Vanessa and Mike will enjoy two separate catered parties: first a rehearsal dinner at 1 Fort Mason, and then the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner and dancing at Hotel Vitale.  The wedding reception menu includes tray passed appetizers, and a three course Chef’s tasting plated dinner, followed by a custom-designed cake from Cake Coquette. Mike and Vanessa will dance to the sounds of The Misa Malone Project, enjoy wines from Robert Mondavi Winery,  and have their images sketched by talented local caricature artist, Jon Casey.
Also included:  Event designer, wedding planner, custom designed invitations, favors, three florists, classical guitarist for ceremony, jazz trio for cocktail hour, DJ/Emcee, specialty lighting, specialty linens, and all rentals.   Wedding gown, bridesmaids’ dresses, mothers’ dresses, bridal party shoes, hair, makeup, spa treatments including manicures, pedicures and massages.  A three night honeymoon to Napa at the Milliken Creek Inn & Spa tops off this dream destination wedding.
For a complete list of Dream Team Sponsors, please visit the website.

All photos courtesy of Kate Triano
Bouquet from Holly Chapple
Congratulations Mike and Vanessa!

{ 12 Comments on this entry }

  1. A big congratulations to Mike and Vanessa! The entire Dream Team is excited to meet you and treat you both like royalty this May!


  2. Russell says
    Feb 14, 2010 | Reply

    A moment of joy to be savored! What a beautiful Valentine’s Day for a beautful couple (and their loving families).


  3. Kenya F says
    Feb 14, 2010 | Reply

    Awwww! Congratulations! You two totally deserved this awesome dream wedding. Best of Luck & BeWell!


  4. Denise says
    Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    Congrats you guys. Enjoy every second!!

    I know you don’t know me, but I know your Dad, and he’s the greatest.

    So glad you guys won.


  5. Sensational! Warmest congratulations and best of luck.


  6. Kevi says
    Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    You guys don’t know me but I know a friend of you dad’s. So happy for you two!! Congrats!!


  7. Congratulations Mike and Vanessa! We at The Laugh Box are honored to be a part of your wedding! Can’t wait to meet you both in May!


  8. Hillary B. says
    Feb 17, 2010 | Reply

    Way to go, Mikey! Enjoy your wedding with your beautiful bride. I hope to meet her some day soon! Sending our love from Richmond– the Billingsleys.


  9. Jeanne says
    Feb 18, 2010 | Reply

    I voted for you. So glad you won! God Bless you both. May you have a long and happy life together.


  10. ladonna skuppin says
    Feb 18, 2010 | Reply

    that is so fantastic!!!


  11. Janette says
    Feb 19, 2010 | Reply

    We don’t know one another, but yours was the first and only Love Story I read. It told me all I needed to vote for you two! Congradulations, Love & Happiness Forever!


  12. Jordan Kemp says
    Mar 2, 2010 | Reply

    Vanessa and Mike,

    Nobody is more deserving of this excellent prize. Your wedding would’ve been beautiful regardless of winning the contest, but it’s certainly fitting that you did indeed win! This is a great reminder of how blessed you two are. Lex and I will continue to keep both of you in our prayers. Vanessa, your strength is truly inspiring. Congrats, and we cannot wait to see your pictures!

    -Jordan & Lexi


{ Post a Comment }


Congratulations Mike and Vanessa!

They won the Dream Wedding Giveaway and were married on on May 14, 2010!

Watch the video as they found out the news!


SEPTEMBER 7, 2010: Applications for the next San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway will be accepted! vmikesnowresized

2010 San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway on Facebook



About The Dream Wedding Giveaway

San Francisco is, without a doubt, one of the most romantic spots in the country. It’s also the perfect choice for this upscale destination wedding valued at $100,000.00! One very deserving bride and groom, along with 75 of their closest friends and family, will celebrate in style, at the luxurious Hotel Vitale, located in the heart of San Francisco. After the wedding, the winners will head to Napa for a relaxing 3 night honeymoon, filled with quiet dinners, private wine tastings, and other exclusive activities.


The San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway is more than just a wedding contest. Over 30 premier Bay Area wedding and hospitality vendors are collaborating to make this once in a lifetime dream come true. They’ll work together as a team for almost a year, planning, coordinating and designing the most unforgettable Wedding of the Year, for one very lucky couple in love. By implementing exquisite details and top notch products and services, this amazing wedding will definitely be worthy of platinum status. The contest is open for submissions from September 7, 2010 at 7:59 a.m. PST until November 25, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PST.








San Jose Wedding Consultants,

and San Francisco's premier wedding professionals are proud to sponsor

The San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway©