Students have the opportunity to vote online and affect the lives of two Hokie alumni who have been accepted into Crate & Barrel’s annual Ultimate Wedding Contest.
Braden Field and Sarah Long are seeking votes from friends, family and fellow Hokies in order to have the chance to receive a $100,000 dream wedding.
While Field graduated in 2009 in the architecture program, Long finished her undergraduate program in 2008 and master’s in 2010 in the communication department.
Though Long and Field had mutual friends at Tech, the first time they met was not exactly friendly. As a member of Sensations, Long was handing out flyers for an upcoming performance on the Drillfield.
“This guy was walking up to me on the path and he diverted into the grass to avoid me,” Long said. “He didn’t want to take the flyer and I’m very much a type A person, so I followed him into the grass and was like, ‘Please just take one. I have to give these away. Just take the flyer.’”
Already late to a group meeting, Field put his hands up in the air and avoided Long.
“Every day you walk across the Drillfield and people try and give you flyers and I just didn’t have time for it,” Field said.
Fate would have it that Long and Field would attend the same party that night. Without pause, Long approached Field and called him out for refusing to take her flyer.
“I felt like a big jerk, but it was a really nice conversation starter,” Field said. “You couldn’t have much of a better ice-breaker than to be like, ‘Oh, you’re the big jerk that didn’t take my flyer from me on the Drillfield.’”
Field and Long remained friends and could relate to each other because they were both in troubled, long-distance relationships.
“I had been dating this guy for like six or seven months and we broke up, and I was all distraught,” Long said. “For whatever reason, he (Field) was the first person that I had called about it because he had become one of my good friends.”
Once they were both single, their relationship flourished. Field started leaving paper airplane notes on her car and bringing her coffee to the Math Emporium.
“I never went to the Empo once to do work, but I probably went about 80 times to go visit her and I hate that place,” Field said.
Their friends considered them stubborn as they refused to admit that they were in a relationship. Field was constantly over at Long’s sorority house, which led to much speculation.
“I feel like a lot of other people started calling us girlfriend and boyfriend before we kind of admitted to it,” Field said. “I don’t know whether it was because we had both just gotten out of relationships or what, but we just kind of wanted to go with it.”
Field made his move after the Alpha Delta Pi’s annual Safari Hunt, asking Long to attend the GERMAN Club date party.
After Field graduated in 2009, he spent a year in Williamsburg, Va., while Long continued to pursue her master’s degree. He spent every other weekend visiting Long in Blacksburg, and their relationship survived the long-distance challenges.
When Long completed her master’s degree in 2010, they found jobs and separately moved to Arlington, Va. Today Field works at the Esocoff Associates architecture firm in D.C. and Long works in public relations right outside of D.C. at O’Keeffe & Company.
A version of this article appeared in the Apr 5 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 64 Comments Write a letter to the editor
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Kinda selfish a couple uses a newspaper to promote themselves... There are 100 stories like this from VT
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I think it's a cute story - I voted!
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Direct link: http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entry/154319
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Thank you for posting the direct link - we voted, and appreciate those who have posted POSITIVE messages of SUPPORT for their fellow Hokies. Good luck to these two alums!
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Don't be a hater - especially to fellow Hokies - the paper did an interview, its not like they wrote it themselves - GO HOKIES!
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It's a great human interest story! Maybe you should just stop reading the CT...they sound happy...maybe you should try and be happy!
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If there are, I havent seen them. Great story...I wish them much luck!
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You are the most amazing person in the world, but “I could not date someone who didn’t go to Tech because they don’t understand the tradition and the football.”
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I go to Tech, and I do not understand the tradition or the football.
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I give them five years, tops
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Don't be bitter toward a happy couple - my guess is that you're probably single and lonely, and need to put others down to make yourself feel better.
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Braden and Sarah are a great couple that I know personally. Take the negativity elsewhere. Clearly you need to get a hobby if you're posting negative content to the CT at 3 a.m. on a Tuesday morning.
Good luck guys!
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i also know them and they are (she) extremely self absorbed and care only about themselves. they need to stop spamming their friends with messages. its over the top. i have no problem if they ask once but stop pressuring people
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I know Braden and Sarah as well, and they are two of the least self absorbed people I know. You obviously don't know them very well. They did more to help and support this university and several of its organizations than you probably even know. From Relay for Life to class office to SAA and beyond. Stop hiding behind your "random" posting, man up, and if you have something hurtful to say, say it to their faces - or don't say it at all.
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You obviously don't know them well... I've known them a long time and neither are self absorbed and are always doing things for other people...they are just happy, out going people, doing something fun. Do YOU ever have fun? Kinda doubt it....
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We voted! Good luck! :)
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This article embodies the disconnect in society today. They don't know your name nor have ever conversed with you, but they want you to do something to benefit them. This kind of behavior manifests itself on Facebook, where one can have 2,000 "friends" but rarely returns phone calls or makes contact with them unless they are trying to sell something and need you to buy from them.
This is superficial here. Weddings don't have to be expensive. Heck, go to city hall and get married by a justice of the peace if need be.
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You obviously don't have any friends you'd invite to your wedding-if anyone would ever marry you! So City Hall might work for you...It's a great story and as a Hokie I plan to support them! Maybe if you weren't so negative things would be better....
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Evidently, accordingly to VT alum's post below they are doing exactly what I asserted, spamming everyone they know or have on their oversized friends list to vote for them, doing so several times a day. "Vote for me-e-e! Look at me-e-e and help get me-e-e a free wedding".
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Of course they want people to vote for them!! News flash - its a VOTE BASED contest. They have a couple of weeks to get as many votes as they can - that's the point - I can't even fathom why you care so much. Clearly you need something to do with your time if you are using this contest two young people are in as your platform to rant about everything that is wrong with the way people use facebook - if you don't like it, deactivate your account. Good grief.
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The point is that they could just choose not to enter a contest that involves annoying people until they vote for you.
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Fred-You need a life buddy...it's a contest for fun..if you don't like it then hit delete-takes a second. Can't imagine why you take the time to put such hate out there...didnt your mother love you?
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Oh for Heaven's sake. Not everything has to be so serious and analyzed to death. It is just a light-hearted story and those who want to vote can. If you don't, just let it go and have a good day.
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Could not agree more. Everyone needs to relax. There is nothing wrong with having a light story about 2 Hokies in a fun contest. Yes, there are tragedies in the world. But who knows what these kids have been through on life - they may deserve it more than you know - and even if they don't, it is their choice to enter it - don't see anything wrong with it.
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This couple should be embarrassed by themselves, and CT's editors should have more integrity than to run a story like this - there are true tragedies in the world, and people I'm absolutely certain who are more deserving of this. To do it simply because they realized how expensive weddings actually cost and they want to invite a lot of people? What a joke. Newsflash kids: welcome to the real world.
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And you should be embarrassed for sending so much negativity their way. Perhaps everyone could use a fun story about nothing more than two kids trying to win a contest. When you say "simply because they realized how expensive weddings actually cost..." - you don't know them, and don't know WHY they entered the contest. Maybe they didn't even have a reason - maybe they just did it to HAVE FUN! Lighten up.
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Its a Human interest story from a college newspaper about two recent alums. The Washington Post and New York Times run human interest stories ALL the time. No one wants to read/hear about "bad" news all the time.
Its a contest. Lighten up Francis.
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How can you be "absolutely certain" someone else deserves this more??? I happen to know these 2 and they are both great people who give a lot back, as they did when they were still at VT. You sounds way righteous...lighten up...it's just a fun, happy story. Everything doesnt need to be doom and gloom...
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Lay off the editors...it's not like this is a newspaper that is sold nationally. The CT is only able to do so much.
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This couple has been utterly obnoxious trying to promote themselves on facebook and twitter. I was an acquaintance of the couple while in college and recently have had the misfortune of being bombarded via several social media routes (email, wall posts, incessant newsfeed updates, direct messages, chat messages, the list goes on...). I have no doubt that the couple contacted the CT, and likely strongarmed someone they still knew into writing this article.
I am embarassed that they have resorted so such shameless self-promotion. As a VT alum - I would like to apologize to the current students whose campus newspaper was highjacked by two selfish, self-absorbed, ego maniacs.
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If you are getting emails, texts, following them on twitter...sounds like you are the one a little obsessed and more than an acquaintance.
Its a contest. self promotion is aactually part of the contest. If it annoys you that much....de-friend them on facebook and dont follow them on Twitter. See...problem solved.
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If you were truly a friend of the couple in college, you would've voted for them and supported them while they tried to do this, not blasted them in the way that you just did. Why don't you do them a favor and stop following them on twitter and de-friend them on facebook? Clearly they are better off without you in their social circle
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Actually, I too am friends with one of the members of the couple, and happen to be connected with them on Facebook. I like this person, and already did vote for them, BUT I'll agree with VT Alum here that it's getting over the top with the SEVERAL times a day posts BEGGING for votes. It's spammy and SUPER annoying.
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"Acquaintance" was the term used
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I agree-what kind of friend are you? Obviously not! It's a contest and people are trying to get votes. If you look at the contest you will see a number of couples with several thousand votes-how do you think they got votes? By asking friends, reminding people etc. As a part of the Hokie Nation, I'm supporting our own!
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I think Braden must have stolen VT Alum's girl at one point or another.
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$100,000 on a wedding when ~50% of marriages end in divorce! What makes this couple think they'll be any different?
Why would anyone want to spend a years salary on an event that lasts a single day, and which statistically is likely to symbolize a failed marriage that they'd sooner put behind them?
The wedding industry is a huge scam. In five years, they'll probably wish they spent the money on just about anything else(car, down payment on a house, real estate, grad school, etc.)
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The couple does not win $100,00. They win a wedding, that is valued at $100,000. Its not their money, nor do they receive any money. The win a wedding, and Crate and Barrel is going to pay for SOMEONE to win that wedding - might as well be them.
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That's exactly why it makes sense to enter a contest...you just made the argument for them! I predict they'll be part of the "other 50%" and make it work...don't count them as divorced before they even marry!
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I think this is a great story of two Hokies coming together! I voted-and I think all Hokies should show their support and vote!
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I couldn't agree more....for those that don't have such a negative outlook on life, just take a minute to vote and support our Holies! :) Good Luck Braden and Sarah!
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I am not bitter. I am married. I am very happy with my life.
But in all honesty, this is why the United States is neck deep in a fiscal crisis. Because we spend all of our time self-promoting, watching E!, and pretending like math is unnecessary.
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The prospective bride was a communications major. Communications - a degree for people who hate math, but love television and consider USA Today advanced journalism.
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What does that have to do with anything??? None of this has anything to do with their right to enter a CONTEST - its not their money folks, they're not being financially irresponsible, they're just. in. a. contest.
And shame on you for putting this young woman down for what she chose to study. If you read the article more closely, you'd see that she completed both her bachelor's and master's degrees, and now works for a very reputable firm outside of D.C. Gee, looks like that "communications major" has been pretty darn successful.
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Gee and I guess math will get you a long way...when is the last time most of us used any of the complex math we were forced to learn. Life is about the basics. Communications is as good as anything else...
There was a day when I was at VT that Hokies supported Hokies-no questions asked. What happened to you guys???
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I agree! I know that the majority of the Virginia Tech community is made up of a great group of people who are positive and supportive toward other Hokies - unfortunately the few that aren't seem to be spreading their negativity all over this page.
I plan to support this couple, and I hope others will to. It breaks my heart to see random strangers posting such hurtful messages about something as light hearted as a wedding contest.
Braden and Sarah, I will vote, and I wish you both a lifetime of happy memories!
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Your assertion that the US is in a financial crisis because of self promotion and watching E is ridiculous. Self promotion, in the form of facebook or linkedin, breeds business. If you feel otherwise, you're living in the past. If you're a business owner, you're likely out of business or soon will be.
And while I very much dislike E! and reality TV, they have very little (if anything) to do with our country's current state financially. C'mon dude.
The US is neck deep in a fiscal crisis because of unnecessary wars and dishonest bankers.
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Unnecessary wars and unscrupulous banking systems take root when the public is constantly distracted by the trivia of others.
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In this world a squeaking wheel gets oil. So they entered a contest and want to win, big deal. Could it be less extravagant and still be a fine wedding? Yes. Are there many other young couples less well off than this one who also deserve a nice but modest wedding? Yes. But until America loses its fascination with reality TV types of entertainment, extravagant contests such as this one will continue.
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I do think it would be more fair to include the several other Hokie couples who are currently in this contest--including two who appear to still live in this area!
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Based on the content of this article, I am confident that whoever allowed it to go to press is afflicted with Tay-Sachs. As I waded through this step-by-step account of how these two people started their relationship, I got a sense of what it must have felt like for Dante as he descended through the 9 circles of hell. I thought I had already seen the Features section plumb the lowest depths, but truly, reading this article is tantamount to gazing upon the Pit of Despair. Kelly Furnas must be slowly rotating on or near his neatly made bed.
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It's a human interest story about two recent alums, who happen to be great people that contributed a lot to this campus. I'll agree that the writing isn't award winning, but this is a college newspaper. Perhaps your critical and condescending eye would be put to better use elsewhere. Lighten up buddy. Support fellow hokies.
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I don't care if these two laid the foundation at Lane Stadium, I would rather not read the details of their relationship in my NEWSPAPER. I'm a journalist. I know what human interest stories are. Human interest stories are when a homeless guy gets a job as a radio announcer or when a kid with autism comes off the bench and scores 20 points in 3 minutes. Nice people or not, these fellow Hokies just want votes, and ultimately the money that comes with them. "So and So is in a contest" is not a story, it's a press release. CT editors should know better.
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And just to clarify, the writing is not the issue here. William Faulkner couldn't save a story with this kind of moronic content. I sympathize with the poor writer who was burdened by having to cover this.
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Sarah Long is one of the most obnoxious, self-consumed people I have ever met. I can't imagine how ANYONE would want to be in a relationship with her, let alone marry her. I'm sick and tired of her spamming everyone via facebook and now the newspaper, and I hope they DO NOT win. She deserves a Vegas drive-thru wedding, AT BEST. Give it a rest, Sarah! No one liked you when you were hanging around Blacksburg still doing rush even though you were 35 years old, and no one likes you now! Just look at the comments on here! Enough said!
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Sarah Long is one of the most disliked human beings to ever walk VT's campus. I feel bad for this guy who will be stuck with her for the rest of his life. I can't support anything this girl does, she is that bad.
Also, all of these posts defending her, or them, or any of this nonsense, are CLEARLY written by Sarah herself. Nice try, Sarah.
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What will go first: their love for one another or his hair? In all serious, that should be what this story is about...
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What will go first their love for one another or his hair!?
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What will go first their love for one another or his hair!?
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