TV viewers plan wedding

By Elise Franco

WFMJ’s marketing director said he looks for a groom who is just as excited as the bride.

YOUNGSTOWN — The story of Matt Beggs and Cristina Oslin isn’t your average storybook romance.

The couple fell in love over beer and cheeseburgers and are saying their vows in front of friends, family and hundreds of viewers live on TV.

Beggs, 32, and Oslin, 26, both of Boardman, are the winners of the eighth annual WFMJ Wedding that will take place at 5 a.m. Friday at the Butler Institute of American Art during the WFMJ Today morning show.

Oslin said she couldn’t be more ready.

“I’m ready to go,” she said. “I’m ready to see this final product and see how it all comes together.”

For the past eight weeks, Oslin and Beggs have left every decision — from the dress to the cake to the flowers — up to viewers. Oslin said they haven’t been disappointed.

“Honestly, I can’t make my mind up about anything so this was the perfect chance to say whatever goes, goes,” she said. “It was phenomenal. The viewers have great taste.”

The pair met in September 2003 through mutual friends. Beggs said Oslin was working as a waitress at a local tavern, but was too busy to pay him much attention at first.

“She kind of blew me off, but about a week later I was in, and it was a slow night,” he said. “I’d just lost my job, and she bought me a beer and a cheeseburger and sat down. We just started talking.”

The rest is history.

They put off buying an engagement ring and instead purchased a house in Boardman, where they live with their dog.

Beggs said he saw an advertisement for the wedding contest and thought it would be fun to enter.

“We both wanted to do it,” he said. “It’s a big decision, giving up control of the whole thing and doing it on TV, but we thought it would be a really cool experience.”

Oslin said she thought applying for the contest was a great idea and something they could share together.

“We were ready,” she said. “Not only is he my fianc , but he’s close as a best friend, and it’s a special gift for him and me.”

Oslin said when they received the phone call informing them that they’d been chosen as the winners, she was overjoyed.

“I did the ugly cry, the tears and the runny nose and the screaming,” she said. “I was pretty hysterical. I think I scared Matt.”

But after the initial shock wore off, the work began.

The couple appeared on the WFMJ morning show eight times between March and May to discuss options for viewer voting. They met with photographers, picked out bridesmaids’ dresses and tuxedos and stood for fittings.

Jack Stevenson, WFMJ marketing director, said it’s normal for the bride to dive head-first into her wedding, but he was most impressed with Beggs’ complete involvement.

“One of the things I look for is a strong groom, because brides are always excited,” he said. “Matt has always been so involved in the process. He has been a groom who is unbelievable.”

Beggs said he couldn’t imagine not involving himself in the wedding process.

“I think some people may have entered the contest with one person maybe wanting it more than the other, but we both wanted it equally,” he said. “Because almost everything is out of our control, I wanted to be involved in everything I was able to. It’s my wedding, too.”

Oslin and Beggs agreed the one thing they will remember most is the people they met throughout the process.

“Everyone involved is what made it so special. It’s a great prize to win, but it’s not like winning the lottery,” Beggs said.

“I would tell anyone to do this. You give up a little bit, but you get a lot out of it.”

efranco@vindy.com