Dave Bailey and Kelly-Louise Warner are giving away a free wedding. Picture: Jeremy Bannister
DO you want your dream wedding but can’t because of a nightmare?
Then two Ballarat wedding specialists may have the answer for you.
Wedding planner and stylist Kelly-Louise Warner and photographer Dave Bailey have joined forces to launch the Facebook page Ballarat Dream Weddings.
To win the very first one, all you have to do is go to the page and plead your case, preferably complete with pictures, anecdotes and even poetry.
“We’re looking for a real hard luck story. We want people who desperately need a wedding free of charge,” Ms Warner said.
Mr Bailey said the idea came about to showcase both small and upcoming Ballarat businesses and give the local wedding industry a boost.
“We’re hoping to make it a regular event,” he said.
The dream wedding will be held on September 30 and will include photography, full event styling, dresses, suits, a venue, catering, rings, hair and makeup, a cake, a candy buffet, cars, invitations, a DJ, a videographer, a wedding website and a canvas print of a favourite wedding picture.
Ms Warner’s mother, Jackie Warner, will be the celebrant for the day.
Businesses and people donating to the wedding free of charge are The Tangled Maze, Walter Davis, Formalwear Express, Meticulous Jewellers, Sweet Therapy cakes, Simon Easton and Kelly Pora, Handcrafted Special Occasions, Mark at Infinity Entertainment, Leaping Fox Multimedia, The Ivory Lady, Ballarat Camera Centre and Redwood Entertainment.
“I couldn’t believe how many people wanted to help out. It was actually really heartwarming,” Ms Warner said.
While no figure has been placed on the wedding, Mr Bailey believes it will cost more than $10,000.
Entries close on July 14 and the top four will be selected by Ms Warner and Mr Bailey, along with Jackie Warner.
Photographs will then be taken of the top four and posted on the Facebook page. The winner will be partly chosen by public vote and partly by the judges.