FALLBROOK —— A ceremony mingling sands from Hawaii, Mexico and the Persian Gulf helped symbolize the unity of Brenda Marie Rausch and Gunnery Sgt. William "Mac" McLemore during their wedding ceremony Sunday at the Grand Tradition.

McLemore, 37, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton, and Rausch, 26, were the winners of the third annual fantasy wedding given to a military couple by the Fallbrook community. The sands have special significance. The couple met in Hawaii and McLemore served in the Persian Gulf during the 1991 Gulf War. Mexico also is special to them, they said.

Besides the ceremony, the package included a reception for about 90 guests at Pala Mesa Resort, a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, flowers, wedding cake, invitations, photography, videography, a dove release, the services of a wedding coordinator and a rehearsal dinner. Fallbrook Vintage Car Club members transported members of the wedding party to the reception.

"It was just amazing, really beautiful and just what we needed," Brenda McLemore said.

Her new husband called the wedding "phenomenal."

"I want to thank everyone who put this together to make it what it was," he said.

Guests from the bride's grandmother, Marvel Valent, and other friends and relatives repeatedly described the community's gift as "wonderful."

"It's wonderful that the community would get together and do something like this," said Karen Pinizzotto, a cousin of the bride who traveled from Downey to attend the wedding. "I wish our community would do something like this."

First Sgt. Mark Anderton, one of the Marines who helped form the cordon —— the sword arch under which the bride and groom walk —— agreed.

"They are truly blessed," he said. "This is well-deserved. It is such an enormous gift."

Just as delighted was Pam Rausch, the bride's mother, who lives in Mantilka, 60 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area and a mother of 12 children.

"It's beautiful —— the whole thing," she said. "I'm glad the community would do that for someone serving in the military."

Best man Mike Lozier, a friend of the bridegroom's, also referred to the community's gift in his toast.

"No one deserves this more than you two," he said.

The sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds throughout the ceremony and a cool breeze blew as the couple took their vows under the gazebo next to the heart-shaped lake on the Grand Tradition grounds.

"Their love and understanding for one another has grown and matured," said the Rev. Lauren Seals, a nondenominational minister who performed the ceremony and a was member of the committee that helped select the couple. "This couple truly understands the meaning of commitment and devotion to one another through good times and bad. This was evident from the first time I saw them."

The couple is raising Bryan, McLemore's 6-year-old handicapped son from his first marriage. He has said he is glad he found someone to help and be there for them.

"I believe God sent me you," he told Brenda during the ceremony. "You have been wonderful, courageous, devoted and committed to Bryan and I."

His bride said her new husband has taught her what it is to love with her whole heart.

Contact staff writer Patti Magee at (760) 731-5797 or pmagee@nctimes.com.