Happily Ever After at Poplar Springs
Poplar Springs has given two couples an all-expenses-paid wedding this fall.
Warrenton, Va—On Friday, August 4, wedding venue Poplar Springs announced the winners of its wedding giveaway contest for October 15 of this year. The cutoff date to enter the contest was Friday, July 28 at noon, and the rules originally stipulated that one lucky couple would win an all-expenses-paid wedding to be held at Poplar Springs.
A panel of judges interviewed the top three contestants at a cocktail hour reception last Friday afternoon. The panel included General Manager Marianne Postma-Harris, Chris Pearmund of Pearmund Cellars, CEO of Profecta Marketing Lindsey Forsten and Pam Kamphuis, the executive editor at Piedmont Virginian. “Weddings are costly, and we wanted to create an opportunity for one couple who really needed and deserved it,” says Marianne. “We were looking to award one couple with the most compelling story.”
After interviewing the couples, however, the judges’ plan took a detour. After their interviews, it was clear that there were two deserving recipients—Jessica Woychick and Chance McCahn, and Alyssa Davis and Jake Walker. With champagne and bouquets of flowers, the announcement was made in Poplar’s private Randolph Room that both couples would be wed on October 15, one in the morning and the other that evening.
Jessica and Chance have been together for 10 years and are saving their money to start their own business. Even though they dreamed of having a small wedding, the cost has kept it out of reach. “The financial stress of wedding planning kept us from setting a date,” says Jessica. “Winning this wedding means the world to us.”
Alyssa and Jake grew up in Fauquier County and have been together since they were 16 years old. Jake, who entered them in the contest without his fiancé knowing, serves in the Army and was unable to accompany Alyssa. “We weren’t sure we’d ever be able to afford a wedding,” says Alyssa. “Now we don’t have to settle for the courthouse!”
The wedding package includes the venue at Poplar Springs, 50 guests, rentals, invitations, catering, décor, a wedding cake, a DJ and photographer, floral design, wedding favors, a wedding dress or suit, and an overnight stay at Poplar Springs Inn.
“This exciting occasion is unprecedented,” says Ellen Christie, Poplar’s wedding coordinator. “I’ve been a part of the team at Poplar Springs for three years and have helped many couples celebrate their wedding day. I feel honored to be a part of this amazing opportunity for these two couples.”
Mike Eisele, Poplar’s property principal and managing partner, agrees. “We feel honored to have the opportunity to give two beautiful couples a head start on their new life together,” he says. To learn more about weddings at Poplar Springs, call (540) 788-4600
About Poplar Springs Inn, Spa & Manor House Restaurant: Located in Warrenton, Virginia, just 10 minutes from Warrenton’s Main Street and near historic Casanova, the historic property sprawls across 172 acres of landscaped countryside. The Inn offers 21 rooms, offering a fully equipped spa and fine dining at the Manor House Restaurant. The Inn specializes in corporate packages, weddings, anniversaries, and weekend getaways. For more information, visit www.poplarspringsinn.com, info@poplarspringsinn.com or (540) 788-4600.
