Jan 30, 2010 - 04:30 AM

By Kristen Calis

PICKERING -- Financing a wedding is tough at the best of times, let alone when people are cutting their budgets for simple necessities.

But a new group called Wedding Saviours hopes to make the cost of a wedding much lighter for a lucky Durham couple.

Residents across the region have until midnight on Sunday, Feb. 28 to apply online for their chance at having the wedding of their dreams - for free.

"I've been the bride on the budget," said Wedding Saviours co-founder Brenda Holdsworth, also owner of BH Consulting and Design, a creative wedding invitation supplier.

She got the idea in September, planning to sell the idea to her colleagues in the wedding world by not only letting them know they'd be helping a couple in need by simply offering their services, but to promote their businesses as well.

"It's about promotion for businesses but also paying it forward for couples who need us," she said.

And she's had no trouble getting businesses and people involved. One of them was Kelly Newell of Life Shots, who brings a green screen to events for various photo opportunities.

And Ms. Newell has jumped right on board, becoming co-chairwoman of the organization.

"There haven't been too many people who won't help us," she said.

The dress, flowers, food, venue and DJ are some of the high costs of a wedding that will be covered by Wedding Saviours.

Donna-Mae Griffiths has also gotten on board, and has convinced her church to host the Durham wedding, which is now set to take place at the Milestone Christian and Conference Centre in Ajax sometime this October.

Ms. Holdsworth explained the average wedding costs between $20,000 and $25,000, and that's a modest one.

"I don't think there's anything else in your life that will be this stressful," she said.

And having the costs and the organization covered by Wedding Saviours will not only alleviate the stress for the couple, but for the parents as well.

"With a lot of parents, it's 'either I'll put you through university or I'll get you married'," she said.

Wedding Saviours had a test run at putting a wedding on cost-free for a couple on Jan. 16 at Canada's Wedding Expo and the Eco Wedding Show in Toronto. They were married at the wedding expo, and they and their 33 guests were supplied with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and the couple was escorted via limo to an evening at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto.

"They were more than happy with it," Ms. Holdsworth said.

And now it's time for a Durham couple to shine.

"We're all set to go," said Ms. Newell.

The couple has to apply online by submitting a creative story telling why they need Wedding Saviours along with a 250-word outline. Submissions could include a video, a blog, a poem or even a drawing with stick figures depicting why they need a free wedding. They must also be comfortable with a production team since Wedding Saviours plans to air episodes online throughout the process.

Friends and family can nominate a couple as well, but the couple must give their consent if they're chosen.

The top submissions will be pre-selected by a panel of vendors, experts and sponsors and will be posted on the website. An online voting system will narrow the number of couples down to 10. The panel will then interview and select the winning couple.

If all goes well, this won't be the last ceremony Wedding Saviours puts on.

"I hope this grassroots organization that started in Pickering will be marrying couples all across Canada if all goes well," Ms. Holdsworth said.

Wedding Saviours is still accepting businesses to join the team, and is accepting online submissions now.

VISIT: www.weddingsaviours.ca