Win a Wedding in Times Square

Just because you aren't exactly a nature girl at heart, you don't have to write off the spontaneity and originality of planning a wedding with a spectacular outdoor backdrop. Try looking for a more metropolitan setting for your nuptials! Get Married is offering a once-in-a-lifetime chance to tie the knot in New York City's Times Square on New Year's Eve. All you brides and your sweethearts have to do is crank out an essay and video package that tells your love story and submit it online at the Get Married Web site. After the winning couple is chosen, other visitors to the site get to surf photo galleries and vote on sponsored elements like the cake, dress and invitations. Then, to top it all off, the couple gets the perfect rock star wedding on New Year's Eve with an audience of a million guests! The deadline to submit your entry is October 1, 2010, so be sure to get started soon! Who knows: You just might end up with the ultimate kiss at midnight this year!

~Kasey Brooks

Win an Outdoor Island Wedding and Honeymoon

So you've always wanted an extravagant outdoor wedding like your favorite celebrities, but you can't afford to break the bank? Try your luck at winning your wedding! Spa Week and WeddingChannel.com have teamed up to offer the Wed Like a Celeb Ultimate Bridal Giveaway. Through July 1, you can enter for a chance to win the outdoor wedding to end all outdoor weddings: five nights and six days at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort in the South Pacific Islands. The VIP package includes a couples' massage, dinner for two, round-trip airfare and complimentary breakfast each morning. As if all this wasn't glamorous enough, you'll win a designer wedding gown for your special island wedding day!

~Kasey Brooks

Win a Solar-Powered Outdoor Wedding

Sun Crystals is seeking 20 couples to tie the knot or renew their vows on October 22, 2009, in New York City's Foley Square. For your chance to win an eco-friendly Sweet & Solar Wedding, complete this online form and state in 50 words or less why you want a solar-powered wedding and what makes you a naturally sweet couple. The deadline for entries is October 16, 2009.

Eco-wedding planner Danielle Venokur of dvGreen will design the event, which will be powered by trailer-based solar panels. From the band and the lighting to the paper goods and the naturally sweet, chilled refreshments, every element of the Sun Crystals Sweet & Solar Weddings will be sun-ergized and eco-friendly. Winning couples will trade "I Dos" throughout the day in town hall-style outdoor ceremonies complete with sunflower bouquets, naturally sweet wedding cakes made with Sun Crystals All-Natural Sweetener and a photo for each couple.

Two Ways to Win Your Wedding Gown

I always advise outdoor brides not to overspend on their wedding gowns, and winning the dress of your dreams is certainly one way to accomplish this! If you are getting married any time after August 2009, you'll want to play the new Match the Wedding Gowns memory game from Get Married and submit your score for a chance to win a dress valued at up to $1,800 from Alfred Angelo or the Alfred Angelo Sapphire Collection.

Want an even easier way to win? Simply fill out the entry form on the Alfred Angelo site for an additional chance to win a wedding gown in the designer's 75th anniversary giveaway. Other prizes include: NWA World Vacations honeymoon packages worth $5000, his and hers palladium wedding bands, Alfred Angelo bridesmaid dresses and a Mindy Weiss bridal gift package.

Alfred Angelo offers many bridal gowns perfect for outdoor nuptials, including several with blue accents that are ideal for beach weddings. Styles 2014 and 1774NT are two of my favorites for seaside brides. View the complete current collection, and tell us in the comments which Alfred Angelo designs caught your eye.

Win $4,000 Toward Your Perfect Start

Hallmark's Perfect Start Sweepstakes features a prize any couple in the throes of wedding planning could definitely use: $4,000 cash and a $1,000 Gold Crown Gift Card for a year's worth of Hallmark greeting cards. You can enter online once each day, but hurry! The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on March 16, 2009. Good luck!

Become an Outdoor Wedding Guide Fan on Facebook

Whether you're a bride or groom planning an outdoor wedding, a member of an outdoor wedding bridal party, or a wedding vendor who provides services for outdoor weddings, I'd love to have you as a fan of the new Outdoor Wedding Guide page on Facebook. Once you join our group (click here to begin), you'll be able to post photos, videos and events; start and contribute to discussions; share your thoughts on The Wall and learn from and be inspired by others with a passion for outdoor weddings.

But wait... there's more! From all of the fans who join us by midnight EST on January 31, 2009, I'll select one winner at random to receive a free autographed copy of The Everything Outdoor Wedding Book, which I will personalize and send to you (U.S. addresses only). Good luck, and looking forward to sharing with you on Facebook.

Update: Congratulations to the winner, Christina F.! The contest has ended, but I hope you'll still consider becoming an Outdoor Wedding Guide fan if you're a Facebook member.