What an amazing finish to the race . . .

Natalie & Stephen ~ 11/12/2011

We were in Vegas for a half marathon race, my second ever, and first time running alone (as my fiance, Steve, is a much better runner). I was suppose to be doing the run with a bunch of girls, who had various reasons for not being able to make the trip.

It was a great run down the strip. Prior to the run, Steve handed me a letter that he said I could read along the run for support if he got hard. It spoke of how proud he was of me and all of my accomplishments, and how much he loved me. As I was nearing the finish, I was keeping my eyes on the crowd. Steve said he would watch me finish, but I couldn’t spot him amongst the fans. So, I decided to lock in on the finish line and run the last 100m hard. I was focused, apparently a little too much. I ran arms up across the finish line, feeling great, and then there was a tap on my shoulder. Steve was right there, down on one knee and proposing to me. Funny thing was that he actually was down on one knee 25 feet before the finish line and I ran right past him as he called “Natalie, Nat…Nat!” with the ring in his outstretched arm.

He had planned the whole proposal. He had them track my bib number so he knew when I would finish. There was a race photogragher and announcer ready to catch the moment. The announcer was giving a play by play “… here she comes…. Uh oh! She ran right past him!!” Then they all had to run after me to the finish. To the delight of the crowd, I said YES!

Valentine’s day is the final day for you to enter the Bridal Fantasy Sweepstakes for your chance to win the amazing weekend trip to Las Vegas for a Girl’s Night Out! This fabulous vacation includes a stagette trip to Las Vegas for you and three friends, sponsored by Uniglobe Geo Travel and Air Canada Vacations. This awesome weekend trip (winner’s choice of three or four days) includes airfare and accommodations at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino! Head over to the brand-new website and click on the sweepstakes link to enter today and watch ET Canada on Global for more information.

Brides-to-be will also be entered to win the 3-day premarital course from Satvatore Institute. Satvatore Institute’s 3-day premarital training focuses on building the communication skills that create relationships that last. The training seminar takes place at the Jubilee Auditorium on February 27 - March 1.  It is led by Dr. David B. Wolf who is the Author of ‘Relationships That Work’. This experiential course will have you practicing the keys to successful relationships so that you can take your new skills and immediately apply them in your life. Click here to enter now. Good luck!

Winners will be selected the weekend of February 14, 2009. For full contest rules and regulations, click here.

Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular. With sun, sand and surf available, who wouldn’t love to get married in a destination location? Whether it’s in the blue Carribean, historic Mexico or sunny Jamaica, a destination wedding has all the great elements of a wonderful holiday to celebrate your wedding day.

Check out RIU Bambu Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. With an on-site wedding coordinator, décor and set, flowers, music and so much more included with your package, the only thing you have to worry about is keeping your tan even.

Or you could try RIU Ochos Rios in Jamaica – they include spa packages and breakfast in bed for the bride and groom. In Cabo San Luca, the RIU Palace offers three different wedding day packages and a wide variety of amenities for you and your guests. Cuba is less than a two-hour drive from Havana, and the world-famous Varadero beach stretches over 20 kilometres along a narrow peninsula on the north coast of the island. Amazing sites and fabulous views are a perfect backdrop to your wedding day.

Thinking about Hawaii? The culture adds a little something to the traditional wedding. Each island has its own identity, from the commercial to the small and intimate, each supplying a little something special. Visit Haleakala National Park or Diamondhead Mountian. Both of these locations offer breathtaking views. A wedding in Hawaii can range from a quiet beach ceremony to a lavish resort ballroom.

Looking for something different for your wedding day but don’t want to head to a beach resort? No other city is as unique as Las Vegas. Its skyline includes Paris, Egypt, Rome, New York, Venice and San Francisco, to name a few. You could be married by Elvis or an alien, whatever suits your unique style.

Wherever you choose to go for your destination wedding, make sure to research the local laws and marriage rules carefully. Find out a number of different activities your guests can take part in and leave a list with contact information in their hotel rooms with their gift baskets.