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Couple Say 'I Do' To Contest

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: March 11, 2009

PLANT CITY - Jennifer Faircloth and Jesse Lingerfelt selected the Florida Strawberry Festival for their first date four years ago. So when festival promoters announced an essay contest to pick a couple to wed at the 2009 event, Jennifer picked up a pen.

"We were engaged two years ago," so the timing was right to get married, said the new Mrs. Lingerfelt.

They were wed Feb. 28 at the festival grounds' gazebo.

Recalling that fateful first date, Jesse said his family was planning to visit the festival, and he decided to call his mother for permission to expand the guest list. "I called her from Plant City High school and asked her if I could bring a friend with me."

The rest, as they say, is history.

The newlyweds' prize included the ceremony and reception, including strawberry shortcake wedding cake , plus a wedding night stay at a local hotel.

Like everyone else pinched by today's economy, the young couple was struggling to save money, so when the "strawberry wedding" contest was launched, it seemed an ideal way to tie the knot - and cut costs.

The honor included wedding photography by Harry Jeffcoat and free festival entry for the wedding party and guests. Relatives came from as far as Tennessee to attend, Jennifer said.

The three-tier strawberry shortcake that was part of the prize package donated by local sponsors was prepared by volunteers at St. Clement Catholic Church, which has long operated the popular make-your-own-strawberry-shortcake booth at the festival.

Following the ceremony, which was also witnessed by about 500 festival attendees, a private reception catered by Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse and Alessi Bakery was held in the Stingray Chevrolet Entertainment Tent, also at the festival grounds.

The strawberry wedding promotion was a one-time event, and festival organizers have not decided whether to repeat it next year.

Jesse, 22, and Jennifer, 19, both longtime Plant City residents, spent their wedding night at the Red Rose Inn and Suites, with brunch the next day, all complimentary.

When Jennifer announced plans to enter the inaugural contest, Jesse told her, "Go for it." She wrote the first drafts by hand before turning to the computer, where Jesse helped edit the joint effort.

"It went perfect," Jennifer said of her wedding.

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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