Huron Expositor, 2006-02-15, Page 53•
Strange but true wedding stories
By Susan Hundertmark
While they were married long
before their true relationship was
revealed by Hollywood, the union
of Darth Vader and Princess Leia
was the most unusual wedding
Seaforth minister John Gould has
ever officiated.
Gould, the minister at
Seaforth's Northside United
Church, was working in Portage
la Prairie, Manitoba when he was
asked to marry two couples at a
downtown municipal celebration.
One, a couple who ran a local
restaurant and was known for
their love of costume parties,
dressed as Darth Vader and
Princess Leia, and the other
dressed as Rhett Butler and
Scarlett O'Hara.
"Neither couple had had any-
one at their weddings and they
wanted to reaffirm their vows
with the whole town in atten-
dance," he says.
Gould dressed as Friar Tuck
while the other minister at his
church dressed as Lady Rowena,
from the medieval story of
Ivanhoe.
"We didn't know how Darth
Vader and Princess Leia were
related in 1985 (as father and
daughter)," laughs Gould.
"All weddings are fantasies and
a bit of show biz," he adds.
Gould says that while Miss
Manners laments that most wed-
dings have become theatrical pro-
ductions, there's nothing wrong
with having some fun at your
wedding.
"Weddings are very serious
times but they're also celebra-
tions. But, there are lines you can
cross. I always say if there's not a
fist fight at a.wedding, it's a suc-
cess," he says.
Gould also officiated at a wed-
ding with a medieval theme in
which two university students
who were members of the Society
for Creative Anachronism (an
organization devoted to recreating
pre -17th Century Europe), were
married.
While Gould did not dress as
Friar Tuck that
time, he did get
into the spirit by
wearing black
clerical robes
with a neck ruf-
fle and using the
wedding service
One for the gals:
Q: Whg are husbands like lawn mowers?
A: The/1`re hard to get started, emit foul
odors, and don't work half the timet
2
The New 238 -WINE (9463)
Grapevine
of Grand Bead
3o Ontario St.,
Grand Bond, ON
Make Your Wedding
Wine Here
Complimentary Cust
Labels
Guest Favours
Personal Service
Call Us Today
•
from the 1556 Genevan Service
Book.
The wedding took place in a
medieval garden at a restaurant in
Napanee and the wedding meal
consisted of selections as close to
medieval fare as possible.
"It was very romantic. And,
there was a lively discussion over
dinner about the Middle Ages,"
says Gould.
He observes that unique and
creative weddings are only limited
by the money and taste of the
participants to be able to "live out
the fantasy."
Gould says he thinks involving
pets in weddings might be going a
little bit too far.
"Some things might be unwise.
I heard of a dog as a ringbearer
and that might not work so well.
The dog could bolt," he laughs.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - Page 25
Joresi Go(f
Coufltr Jiotel
Your great
Wedding Location...
'Weddings for up to 200 people
..Large menu selection to suit
anyone's budget
/iLDance floor & bar
eV*
ti. t NQt `ET ROOM
Located on our
picturesque golf
course with gazebo
for great pictures.
75 on site rooms, swimming pool, whirlpool,
sauna, dining room and lounges.
Call Today 1-800-265-0214
102 Main St. S., Forest ON
www.forestgolfca
Seg the e mood foryoiii' weddit� by creating your own
Put a unique stamp on your
•;• Wedding Invitations ❖ programs ❖ Guestbooks
•:• Placecards + Menus ❖ Wedding favours
• Thank You Cards
Sometimes even e smallest detail can set the ftlation apart.
Take this wonderful opportunity to express yourself!
And when the bi day has cone
g and gone, we can help
you create a wedding album that showcases every moment
with your personal style.
eepsake
43 West St., Goderich • 524-2992
3Vq Huron St., Stratford • 275-284o