{"id":30982,"date":"2013-02-13T16:01:44","date_gmt":"2013-02-14T00:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.57.196.122\/~gdatwofo\/theavtimes\/?p=30982"},"modified":"2013-02-13T16:50:40","modified_gmt":"2013-02-14T00:50:40","slug":"30982","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2013\/02\/13\/30982\/","title":{"rendered":"Laura and Juan win ‘Wedding on The BLVD’!"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Laura<\/a>
Laura Martinez and Juan Calderon, both 29, were all smiles Wednesday morning at a press conference to announce the “Wedding on The BLVD” contest winners.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LANCASTER \u2013 Palmdale residents Laura Martinez and Juan Calderon will have their dream \u201cWedding on The BLVD\u201d!<\/p>\n

At a press conference Wednesday (Feb. 13), The BLVD Association announced that the lucky couple won the first-ever\u00a0\u201cWedding on The BLVD\u201d\u00a0contest, which provides a free wedding for up to 50 guests in downtown Lancaster.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The two have been inseparable since meeting three years ago.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cLaura and Juan are an absolutely adorable couple,\u201d said Erica Allbee, owner of All About Fitness gym and Chairwoman of the Wedding on The BLVD Committee. \u201cThey have great chemistry that really came across in their video contest entry, and both have bubbly and charming personalities. This couple also has what every great wedding needs \u2013 a beautiful, timeless love story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura and Juan, along with nearly two dozen engaged couples, entered the \u201cWedding on The BLVD\u201d contest by attending the 9th Annual Bridal Show in January at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds.<\/p>\n

To enter, couples had to visit the BLVD Association booth to film a video contest entry and let their personalities shine through in the video.<\/p>\n

Laura and Juan described how they met three years ago when Laura was working as a manager at a fast-food restaurant. Juan, a deputy sheriff, introduced himself to Laura at her aunt\u2019s behest. Laura gave him her number and was surprised to hear from him the next day, as soon as he had completed his 16-hour double shift. The two have been inseparable ever since, and say they are deeply in love.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Laura I can share things that I have never shared with anybody,\u201d Juan said. \u201cTo open up to Laura, to gain that trust and that emotion, that passion \u2013 that\u2019s when I knew she was the one. It\u2019s like waking up and taking a breath; you just know. I\u2019m in love with Laura and I want to spend the rest of my life with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

A committee from The BLVD Association narrowed the 24 contest submissions down to five finalists. (Read more here<\/a>.) Members of the local media selected Laura and Juan from the finalists.<\/p>\n

\"Lancaster<\/a>
Lancaster council member Sandra Johnson was on hand to congratulate the winning couple.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At the press conference Wednesday, Lancaster council member Sandra Johnson gushed over the winning couple.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys are from the Antelope Valley, and you guys are going to build your family here in Antelope Valley\u2026 we applaud you and thank you for that,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cThis is so awesome that we get to celebrate this the day before Valentine\u2019s Day, the day before we all remind ourselves that we are truly in love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laura and Juan will be married in a ceremony on The BLVD in June. The various aspects of their complimentary wedding package are being donated by the merchants of The BLVD Association. For each item, the sponsoring merchant will work with the couple to select three options \u2013 for example, three wedding gowns, three styles of invitations, etc.<\/p>\n

Each week, the public will have the opportunity to view the three choices and vote for their favorite at www.theblvdwedding.com<\/a>. These online votes will decide which item will ultimately be included in the couple\u2019s wedding.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could not be more excited and more thrilled,\u201d Laura said. \u201cWe are just so overwhelmed at the generosity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are very proud to have a wedding where we can share it with the community, we\u2019re very thankful,\u201d Juan added.<\/p>\n

The couple will receive the following as part of the \u201cWedding on the BLVD\u201d package:<\/p>\n