Contest Winners

Zakary Hartford and Laura Benz are the winners of the 2021 Stars & Stripes Wedding at River Roast in Chicago.

Zakary Hartford and Laura Benz

Zakary and I first met at our initial military training after beginning active duty in the US Army. After both being stationed in different parts of Germany, we happened to see each other again at a field exercise that both of our units were participating in. Shortly after rekindling our friendship, we started dating and knew that we were meant to spend our lives together. Because we lived 400 kilometers apart, we spent our weekends taking countless trains meeting in many different small German cities in between where we lived. This enabled us to have unique experiences as we used our creativity to find new adventures and experience new cultures.

After serving in the Army outside of the United States for the past three years; having our wedding at River Roast would be the perfect setting to bring both families together to join in our celebration. After having the opportunity to experience a myriad of different cultures while we were dating, we would love to continue celebrating diversity in our marriage by uniting in such an iconic city. Chicago's ideal location would give our family and friends all over the world the opportunity for simplified travel arrangements as they arrive to celebrate with us. The River Roast's breathtaking views of the Chicago River with a backdrop of awe-inspiring city lights are everything we've dreamt of when we imagine our wedding day.

More About Zakary & Laura

After spending most of the summer apart due to our military obligations, we finally were able to plan a nine-day vacation together backpacking through the Alps. Zakary told me that he wanted to take Christmas card pictures along the route so he packed his large and very heavy tripod along with his camera with lenses; not typical backpacking equipment. After being rained and snowed on for the entire first portion of our adventure, we finally had a day where we hiked above the clouds showing us the sun for the first time as well as an incredible view of the stunning mountain peaks. We sat and ate lunch at the top of the day's hike and got ready to descend the mountain. Before we left, Zakary decided he finally wanted to use his huge tripod that he had been carrying around for days, as I agreed this would be the perfect location for our picture. After setting the camera up and starting a timer; he ran over, got down on one knee, and made me the happiest girl in the world as he asked me to marry him. Later I found out that he didn't set a camera timer for a picture, but hit record on a video to capture the whole thing. The rest of the trip was filled with rain, snow, exhaustion, however remained an incredible experience. We were the happiest we’ve ever been as we talked and dreamt together about how our future would be as one.

The Wedding

The Stars & Stripes Wedding included everything needed to make Laura and Zak's special day perfect.

River Roast (Chicago, IL) generously donated its Riverside or Brunch wedding package:

  • Five-hour reception up to 220 guests
  • Three-course dinner menu: salad and entree prepared by our award winning culinary team
  • Custom designed wedding cake prepared by Bittersweet Pastry
  • Four-hour standard open bar, one-hour wine service with dinner, sparkling wine toast
  • Complimentary house chairs and tables with white linen
  • Complimentary votive candles: 3 for each dinner table and along windows to accent
  • Personalized menus placed at each table setting
  • Four-hour reception for up to 220 guests
  • Four passed hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour Chef table prepared by our award winning culinary team
  • Custom designed wedding cake prepared by Bittersweet Pastry
  • Four-hour standard open bar including mimosa and bloody mary
  • Complimentary votive candles: 3 for each dinner table and along windows to accent

Also included: Brides Across America and Volles Bridal will gifted a wedding gown and tuxedo. For other wedding related services, such as, photography, flowers, ceremony and reception décor, music and a day-of coordinator, RIVER ROAST and BAA worked with partners to secure the services on a donation or a low cost basis.

See official contest rules for complete prize list.

Location

Located on the Chicago River, RIVER ROAST offers dramatic city and water views from every seat - inside and out.  Helmed by James Beard award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano and Executive Chef Cedric Harden, River Roast is a lively social house and gathering place.

The Venue

The Stars & Stripes Wedding included everything needed to make Laura and Zak's special day perfect.

River Roast Private Events offers an impressive setting for your next party or meeting. Helmed by James Beard award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano and Executive Chef Cedric Harden, River Roast is a lively social house and gathering place.

Experienced event planning and service teams aim to accommodate and anticipate your needs for a flawless event. Whether you’re planning a grand gala for 300 people or an exclusive affair for eight, the delectable customized menus and exceptional views will impress.

With 6 event spaces to choose from – each featuring sophisticated decor that pays tribute to the historical landmark building the restaurant is housed in – the options for corporate and social events are endless.

How to Win

There are just 3 simple steps to enter to win a dream Stars & Stripes Wedding.

Please see full contest details official contest rules. Pay close attention to contest entry submission deadlines and qualification criteria. Best of luck!

1

Eligibility

To qualify, applicants must be members of the military or first responders (fire, police, emergency response). Please see full contest rules for details.

2

Submission Process

Simply fill out the entry form below – including your personal stories, as individuals and as a couple, as well as pictures. Entry deadline is November 6!

3

Schedule

The selected couple will arrange a date with BAA and RIVER ROAST for some time between December 2019 and March 2020. Transportation to/from Chicago is not included.

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Enter to Win

One (1) deserving couples will win a Stars & Stripes Wedding gifted by Brides Across America and RIVER ROAST (Chicago, IL). To be considered for the prize, please read the qualification guidelines and submit the entry form below. Please see complete contest rules for more information.

THE STARS & STRIPES WEDDING INCLUDES

Your Stars & Stripes Wedding includes everything you need to make your special day perfect:

  • Five-hour reception up to 220 guests
  • Three-course dinner menu: salad and entree prepared by our award winning culinary team
  • Custom designed wedding cake prepared by Bittersweet Pastry
  • Four-hour standard open bar, one-hour wine service with dinner, sparkling wine toast
  • Complimentary house chairs and tables with white linen
  • Complimentary votive candles: 3 for each dinner table and along windows to accent
  • Personalized menus placed at each table setting
  • Four-hour reception for up to 220 guests
  • Four passed hors d'oeuvres during cocktail hour Chef table prepared by our award winning culinary team
  • Custom designed wedding cake prepared by Bittersweet Pastry
  • Four-hour standard open bar including mimosa and bloody mary
  • Complimentary votive candles: 3 for each dinner table and along windows to accent

See official contest rules for complete prize list.

Note: Brides Across America and Volles Bridal (Lake Zurich, IL) will gift a wedding gown and tuxedo. For other wedding related services, such as, photography, flowers, ceremony and reception décor, music and a day-of coordinator, RIVER ROAST and BAA will work with partners to secure the services on a donation or a low cost basis.

Eligibility

Applicants must be a military service member or police, fire or emergency response professional that is on active duty or has been active within the past 5 years. Please see full contest rules for details.

Deadline & Dates

To be considered, entrants must complete and submit the contest entry form on this website no later than November 6, 2019. Five (5) entrants will then be chosen as finalists shortly after the contest submission deadline. Each finalist will be contacted, and they must submit a personal story video by November 21, 2019. The winning couple will be chosen and announced on November 22, 2019. Please see full contest rules for details.

Contest Entry Form

Please submit your personal love story to be entered to win. You may upload up to three (3) images. We may contact you for additional details and to confirm that you meet eligibility requirements.

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Contest entries have ended. Finalists will be notified.

Local Partners

Brides Across America and Volles Bridal gifted a wedding gown and tuxedo. For other wedding related  services, such as, photography, flowers, ceremony and reception décor, music and a day-of coordinator, RIVER ROAST and BAA worked with partners to secure the services on a donation or a low-cost basis.

Still Have Questions?

If you have questions or need more info, just drop us a quick message, and we will be happy to assist you.

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