Most people are familiar with “Say Yes to the Dress,”  the popular TV show that took brides-to-be on a journey to find their perfect wedding gown. Visit Lake Charles put their own twist on the concept with “Say Yes to the Venue,” a  promotion designed to introduce engaged couples to the exceptional array of wedding and reception venues available in Lake Charles.

The best places book up fast. Experts say to book nine to 14 months in advance.

To make the concept work, Visit Lake Charles would need to find the perfect couple, and launched a contest with a $2,500 prize in February.

Venues toured by the winning couple are the Historic Cash and Carry Building, Brickhouse Catering & Events, The Stables at Le Bocage, Oak Crossing and Enchanted Elegance Event Center.

When friends of Grant Kelly and Eloise Boullion saw the Visit Lake Charles contest post, they knew the recently engaged and exceptionally creative couple would go above and beyond to ensure their video entry stood out from the rest. And it did.

“Working with Sophia Landry Films, we drew up the storyboard as a way to creatively tell our story of how we met, why we were choosing to get married in Southwest Louisiana and what makes this area so special to us,” Boullion said.

The couple began their schedule of tours with a general idea of what was a must: A dance floor as well as an indoor/outdoor option. The space had to accommodate their family and closest friends.

“When in your lifetime are the people closest to you and your financé all in one room,” Boullion said. “To us, that’s what will make the day even more special.”

Every site was unique in its own way, she said. “Some had a rich history. Others offered clean lines, elegant simplicity.

Boullion expected they would probably tour every venue, have a hard time making up their minds and resort to  a pros and cons list, talk over the list together and then decide.

That was before they saw “the one.”

“After booking the venue, other things simply fell into place,” Boullion said. “You can start to actually envision the day you’ve always dreamt about after you say ‘Yes to the Venue.’”

Which venue did they choose? The last episode of “Say Yes to the Venue” will be released Tuesday, Oct. 3. For more information and to watch the series, go to visitlakecharles.org/sayyes and subscribe to our YouTube channel @VisitLakeCharles.