CINCINNATI — Weddings are not cheap, and for one southwest Ohio couple, they were worried their upcoming wedding would put them further into debt. But the generosity of one woman spiraled into something much bigger, giving them a free wedding.
There’s nothing like the anticipation of your wedding day. For Holly Rainey and Eric Burgstrom, they’re in the final countdown.
The couple had been dating for over two years before Burgstrom popped the question.
“It means the world,” Burgstrom said. “Really, that there’s someone that believes in me and trusts me and loves me that much. Like absolutely, I can’t wait.”
But the path to get there wasn’t easy. Rainey was re-diagnosed with cancer last year. She said her fiancé stepped in, showing he was definitely the one for her.
“Now, the second time around, having a partner who is actually just amazing,” Rainey said.
But planning and paying for a wedding while tackling medical bills seemed nearly impossible. Which is why Rainey’s sister entered them in a wedding giveaway.
“I actually did not find out until my sister showed up with everyone to surprise me,” she said.
The giveaway started when one woman wanted to give away wedding decor before vendors from all over southwest Ohio decided to chip in for an entire wedding. Rainey and Burgstrom said winning this wedding has allowed them to pay off their medical bills and start fresh.
“They have changed our lives,” Rainey said. “Sorry, I might get a little emotional. They really have. They have given us the hope and the possibility to start over completely not in debt, so we’re actually getting a true way to start our lives together.”
“It is relief,” Burgstrom said. “But definitely relief in a way like I get to spend time with her rather than asking her, hey what doctor appointment do we have this week coming up?”
The couple can now look forward to their big day rather than worry about the cost.
“Definitely the first look,” Burgstrom said. “I can’t wait to see her, just the woman I’m going to marry.”
And look forward to married life together.
“We’re hoping that the year of our marriage is a normal year and I think just starting our lives together,” Rainey said.
