If wedding bells are in your future, we have a way you can get that celebration for free. New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe is coming out with a fourth book in the “Summer” series, called A Lowcountry Wedding.

Monroe says, “This whole book is about, what is a Lowcountry wedding? And the tensions in family and generations when it comes to protocol, and etiquette, and what should, and shouldn’t be done.”

The book doesn’t come out until May 3rd and to promote it, Monroe is partnering with many local wedding vendors to throw a $40,000 wedding for one lucky couple.

She says, “We have the best vendors. We’re talking first class, A-list vendors, came on board.”

The ceremony and reception will be held at the Legare Waring House at Charlestowne Landing, the dress by Kate McDonald, flowers by Wild Flowers Inc., food by Cru Catering, and alcohol by Firefly Distillery. Plus many other vendors to complete the entire celebration for fifty people.

If you want to win the $40,000 wedding, record a 30-90 second video of yourself describing why you deserve to win. Then those submissions will be narrowed down to the top five, then it’s up to the public to determine who gets the big day.

Monroe says, “It’s like a novel, it’s the voice, the individual story that’s going to touch me.”

The deadline to apply is May 31st.

She adds, “Someone who really needs this wedding for whatever reason, whether it’s financial, emotional, whatever, has the chance to have it.”

Anyone can apply and finalists will be announced on June 13th.

Monroe says, “I’m kind of hoping a local girl wins and no matter what I’ll be excited, I’m just hoping to get an invitation.”

For more information and to enter the contest, click here.

The vendors participating include: