Wave FM Wollongong has kick started 2024 with a mega marriage event for the Illawarra – Jade and Damien’s Five Strangers and a Wedding.
It all started with their groom, 29-year-old Mitch, who was looking for love.
Single women across the Illawarra were invited to enter a competition for a chance to marry Mitch during a breakfast wedding at the Illawarra Yacht Club on Valentine’s Day.
The catch? Mitch was not allowed to choose or meet his potential brides.
Wave FM breakfast hosts Jade and Damien – with the help of Mitch’s mum and sister – shortlisted the entries to four. Mitch’s mum then met each potential match and cut that list down to two, with listeners across the Illawarra then voting for who they thought should marry Mitch.
27-year-old Jessica was then revealed as the bride-to-be, with Mitch learning this the same time as the rest of the Illawarra, and just 5 minutes before they were joined together during a commitment ceremony on the shores of Lake Illawarra.
“It was so exciting bringing this idea to life,” says Wave FM Content Director Barry Keohane.
“Mitch is such a nice, down to earth guy. And it was pleasing to see people across the Illawarra get behind him and this promotion.”
The event also brought together business partners across the Illawarra, who helped supply the venue, the groom’s suit, the bride’s dress, hair and makeup, the flowers, cake, and celebrant.
And how did Mitch and Jessica get along?
“Last I heard was they both spent the day together getting to know each other. So let’s hope we managed to help Mitch find love,” says Keohane.