Bride-to-be stands up for dream wedding
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Posted By COLIN MCKIM, THE PACKET AND TIMES
Posted 4 months ago
Taking a stand has taken on a whole new meaning for Heidi Mueller.
Since noon on Sunday, the equestrian trainer from Severn Township has been standing beside a wall in a Woodbridge conference centre, wearing riding boots and a bridal veil.
Her fiance, Mikael McCahon, is at her side, handing her energy drinks and trying to keep her awake.
Mueller is competing inLast Bride Standing,a 13-episode reality show that awards $66,000 in prizes to the bride-to-be who can stay on her feet the longest.
Approaching 72 hours of verticality, the 37-year-old described her physical state in a single word:
"Exhausted."
After being on her feet for three days her feet and ankles are aching and swollen, she said when reached by cellphone at Le Jardin Conference and Event Centre yesterday morning.
"Even my knee caps are swelling."
The fatigue is playing tricks with her mind, Mueller said.
"It's like an out-of-body experience. I see myself doing this. I'm so numb."
Yesterday Mueller was one of 11 contestants still standing in there from the 50 who signed up.
Every two hours each competitor gets a 15-minute break to go to the bathroom, change clothing or get a massage.
The rest of the time, day and night, they must stand with one hand always touching the wall in the banquet hall where the elimination event is being staged.
As tough as it's been for Mueller, it was actually McCahon who needed medical attention -- he got food poisoning from a submarine sandwich he ate on the drive down to the contest.
"By Monday night I started to get shivers," he said. "Then I started convulsing."
McCahon was rushed by ambulance to the Etobicoke General Hospital where he was kept overnight and treated for dehydration.
By Tuesday he was back and feeling well enough to win a wedding cake decorating contest, earning a $750 hotel stay and extra points for his partner.
By skipping a break and standing four hours straight, Mueller was able to earn a full hour break, during which time she slept on a cot McCahon had brought with him.
Most of the pain has been in her feet, he said.
She switched from riding boots to running shoes then went barefoot, soaking her sore heels and toes in buckets of ice water to ease the swelling.
"Right now she's standing on a pillow," Mike said.
Contestants who have to relieve themselves before the official breaks can squat over pails with towels held up to screen them.
So far Mueller has not had to rely on a pail.
During the day contestants can listen to music, talk on the phone, send one-handed text messages or watch movies on their computers, if they had the foresight to bring laptops and tables to set them on.
"I rented 15 movies," McCahon said.
"We watched them all." At night the lights are dimmed
and music and talking are forbidden. This is when the foot-weary contestants are most likely to topple. But McCahon brought a whistle and by tooting at intervals let his intended know he was awake and rooting for her.
Family have been driving down from Orillia to show support or sending text messages to Mueller's cellphone.
"My family's been texting like crazy," McCahon said.
McCahon's sister Michelle Soares said the bizarre event is tailor-made for the dynamic couple.
"Their relationship has been fueled by drama and intensity."
A nurse in Orillia, Soares brought vitamins and energy drinks for her future sister-in-law.
The couple, who own and operate Rushmount Equestrian Sports on Cambrian Road have been planning to get married for several years, but have been too busy to make formal arrangements.
If Mueller can out-stand the other brides-to-be she will win a wedding reception for 250 people at Le Jardin along with other prizes valued at close to $70,000.
The contest will air in 13 episodes on Sun TV beginning Nov. 22.
For more information log onto www.lastbridestanding.com
A Last Bride Standing Group has also started on Facebook.
