A local businesswoman is putting a plan into motion to give back to those classified as essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leslie Gibson Brewer has decided to sponsor a wedding… an entire wedding, complete with a honeymoon destination.
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“This actually wasn’t my idea,” Brewer explains. “There is a lady who lives in Atlanta who did this and I thought, ‘I am a caterer. I know weddings. We can do the same thing here!’”
While the COVID-19 pandemic has upended everyone’s daily life, essential workers, those who cannot work from home, face tough risks every day on the job.
Brewer, who co-owns Wick + Willow Catering, decided to put together the “Say I Do” challenge that will give away an entire wedding, valued at $20,000, to a lucky couple at least one of whom is considered an essential worker.
Brewer says her idea caught traction immediately. She began making calls to bridal shops, tuxedo suppliers, cake makers, DJs, photographers, vacation rental companies, wedding venues, florists, printers and hairstylists, asking them to contribute.
“No one told me, ‘Let me think about it,” she says. “Everyone immediately jumped at the chance to be a part of it.”
Brewer says her motivation goes beyond just giving away a wedding. She sees the project as an opportunity to focus the community spotlight on the workers who are keeping our society intact and functioning during this terrible pandemic.
“These are our front-line workers, from nurses and EMTs to the people who work at our grocery stores, convenience store clerks and bank employees,” she says. “They risk coming in contact with covid every day on their jobs.”
For this challenge, couples must nominate themselves and tell their stories about how they became engaged and also describe their lives on the job during the pandemic. Brewer says the selection process will happen with a board she is convening and that the process will be double-blinded to make sure no favoritism occurs.
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Brewer says she plans to follow and document the couple as they plan their nuptials that, besides getting a Hollywood wedding for free, will give them even more of a keepsake to cherish in the future.
Couples can nominate themselves at Brewer’s “Say I Do Augusta” FaceBook page: (20+) Say “I Do,” Augusta | Facebook
Windsor Jewelers – wedding bands
Stay Tybee Vacation Rentals – honeymoon condo
High Cotton Photography – wedding photographs
Ever After Beauty and Bridal Suite – hair and makeup
SewCo Bridal Alterations – bridal dress alterations
Wick +Willow Catering – reception catering
Drop The Mic Production – reception deejay
Sugar Willow Cakes – wedding cake
Keith Jones Made To Measure – Grooms tuxedo
Southern Barn Neely Farms – wedding venue
Tiffinie Bleu – bridal dress
JAMS Media – video services
Haute Donuts – reception catering
Phoenix Printing – invitations
Garden Gathered Flowers & Events – floral displays
Scott Hudson is the Editorial Page Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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