Tri-Cities couple in running to win 'dream wedding'

How can one top a wedding proposal delivered from a firetruck? Perhaps an all-expenses-paid Valentine's Day wedding in New York City.

Nichole Guzzo of Geneva and Brian Johnston of St. Charles are among the five finalist couples in theknot.com's National Dream Wedding Contest. On Monday, you can read their story, watch their video and vote for them at theknot.com.

Guzzo, 24, is a restaurant server and a college student. Johnston, 23, is a part-time firefighter studying to become a paramedic.

The voting period runs Monday through Wednesday; the winner will be announced the following day.

In their bio, the couple notes neither they nor their parents can afford much of a wedding. Four people in Johnston's family are in school, as is Nichole's father, and her mother has multiple sclerosis.

The two met when Guzzo spied Johnston in a restaurant where she was working, and switched duties with another server to wait on his table. They eventually discovered that they had attended the same church youth group as teenagers.

Johnston arranged to borrow a firetruck to get to Guzzo's house for the proposal, and wore his uniform. Her father was waiting around the corner, to videotape the event.

The winner of the wedding contest receives a reception for 100 guests; transportation and hotel for 20 guests to New York City; flowers; decorations; favors; a wedding cake; rings; a personalized performance video by Matchbox 20; a honeymoon trip; and a wedding dress from Kleinfeld Bridal's, the dress shop featured on the television show “Say 'Yes' to the Dress.” They'll receive the services of two wedding planners.

And the interest of thousands of theknot.com fans, who will vote on Pinterest.com for the dress, the flowers, the cake, the ring and so forth.