Florida cancer survivor wins dream wedding

updated 7:32 a.m. ET July 16, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. - A Tampa bride-to-be who defied doctors' expectations after being told she had a year to live four years ago has celebrated another victory — she and her fiancé won a $100,000 dream wedding.

Courtney Dempsey, 33, and Gary Courtney, 37, were among 40,000 couples who entered US Magazine's wedding contest. The prize includes a dress and honeymoon.

"We're beyond thrilled. We're actually in a state of shock right now," Dempsey said Tuesday.

Dempsey was diagnosed with late-stage melanoma four years ago, and doctors told her she had less than a year to live. She survived beyond that and began dating Courtney. But soon after, doctors said she needed a double mastectomy.

Courtney asked Dempsey to move in with him so he could help her recover.

Now the couple is planning a September wedding.

As for her married name, Dempsey says she'll follow tradition and take her groom's name, meaning she'll go by Courtney Courtney.

"I love it," she said. "I'm in sales. No one will ever forget my name."

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