Sgt. Wayne Edmiston and Brooke Charlet kiss during their first dance as husband and wife.
/ Lisa Edge
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) - A dream came true for a military couple from Iowa Friday. Earlier this year, Sgt. Wayne Edmiston and Brooke Charlet entered Springmaid Beach Resort's military wedding giveaway. The couple made the top five, and after posting their "love at first sight" story on YouTube, won the most votes.
Friday afternoon, in a small ceremony on the beach, Edmiston and Charlet became husband and wife.
"It was absolutely incredible. I think it was as happy as anyone would be on their wedding day. It was just so beautiful. It worked perfectly," said Edmiston.
"We exchanged our own vows, all of our family was there, our friends were there. It didn't rain until after the ceremony," added Charlet.
The Marine met his now-wife shortly after being transferred to Des Moines, Iowa from San Diego, California. They entered the contest on a whim and to their surprise won a wedding and reception worth more than $35,000 thanks to donations from dozens of businesses.
"The values of Springmaid Beach Resort is giving back. So we figured this is the perfect way to give back to the military. It was our way to say thank you for serving," said Donald Hovis, Marketing Manager.
"It's like when you go to the store and buy a lottery ticket. I hope I win, but probably not gonna win. It was amazing. It's incredible," Edmiston added with a bright smile. "Saving up for a wedding is obviously a very difficult thing. It was something we were planning on doing. This came along, I mean it was perfect. It was really exciting for us. We're really happy."
Edmiston has served in the Marines for eight years, completing two tours in Iraq. While all of their family and friends couldn't be here for the ceremony, Edmiston is happy his best friend was able to join them as a groomsman. "Him and I were in Iraq both times together. I'm glad that he could be here along with me to experience such a great and exciting moment in my life.
The couple is now looking forward to building a life together starting with a honeymoon in Myrtle Beach.
Hovis said they plan to hold the military dream wedding giveaway again next year.
