Couple wins honeymoon cruise at wedding expo …

One happy couple walked away with a honeymoon cruise from Highlands Ranch Travel, and about 150 people got a chance to talk to more than 40 wedding professionals at The Falls Event Center in Littleton on March 25.

Colorado Community Media hosted its first wedding expo, partnering with Highlands Ranch Travel and The Falls Event Center, the event’s presenting sponsor, for the event.

“This was a fantastic event, full of happy engaged couples connecting with vendors ready to help make their day special,” said Jerry Healey, president and publisher of Colorado Community Media, which produces 18 weekly newspapers throughout the metro area. “The vendors went all out decorating booths, sampling food and engaging our attendees with interesting and informative information. Everyone had a great time and even saw some dance moves break out. The Colorado Community Media events team, led by Special Projects Manager Thelma Grimes, did a great job coordinating and leading this event.”

Engaged couple Chad Howard and Mars Simich were surprised to be named the grand-prize winners of the Colorado Community Media Cutest Engagement Story Contest, which was sponsored by Highlands Ranch Travel. With nearly 30 entries, judges from Highlands Ranch Travel chose Howard for his unique, personal story.

“It was very rewarding to give it to such a deserving couple,” said Dan Kraft, manager of Highlands Ranch Travel. “Every story entered had a fun and unique story. It was hard to pick a winner, but I really feel we chose the right couple. It came down to their story. It truly hit the heart.”

Howard submitted the story about a proposal that he agreed might have some do a double take, given it was on his grandmother’s graveside.

For Howard and Simich, winning the grand prize couldn’t have come at a better time. With Simich’s mother ill, and the cost of planning their wedding in October, a honeymoon was looking near impossible. They will go to either the Caribbean or Alaska.

Talking about her fiancé entering the contest, Simich said, “The way he did this, I couldn’t have imagined anything more romantic. It was so personal, so loving, so kind. I’ve never done a cruise. I never thought a honeymoon would be possible.”

Howard said, “I think what (Highlands Ranch Travel) has made happen for us is fantastic,” Howard said. “I couldn’t be more thankful. This will be something for us to really be with each other.”

There were three couples chosen as the finalists or the contest, including Howard, Annie Smiley and Autumn Shea. The second and third finalists were treated to an overnight stay at Table Mountain Inn in Golden.

The entertainment was provided by Dancin Shoes DJ services, which also gave one lucky couple a $250 gift card, which was part of more than $4,000 in raffle prizes given throughout the day from a variety of participants.

To see more from the weekend event, visit www.coloradocommunitymedia.com/weddingexpo/.