Halloween is supposed to be scary.
While not intended, a person’s wedding day can be scary, too.
If you’re a fan of the scary holiday with impending nuptials, why not combine the two?
That’s just what 17 couples, including one renewing their vows, did Monday morning at Osceola County’s Historic Courthouse — long regarded to house the spirits of Osceolans past — at the inaugural “HalloWedding Scare-A-Mony.” Another group of couples said, “I Boo!” … er, “I Do” … in Spanish later in the afternoon.
Those couples will now have a marriage license that reads Oct. 31 — and a story to tell their family for generations.
And the spirit of the day came out. Married couples dressed in costume. Some were as low-key as a Ghostbusters t-shirt, to the end that a groom dressed as Darth Vader. But the common theme were brides in ornate black dresses, like Jennifer Henao and Maddie Delgado, who married their beloveds Juan and Jorge on Monday.
“We love Halloween everything,” the new Mrs. Henao said. “When we heard about it were like, ‘This is our thing!’ We have a big gathering planned for next year, but we had to do this, today. I’d always thought of getting married in black, but it’s never been practical … except today! We loved it.”
“Halloween’s become our favorite holiday,” Jorge Delgado said. “We heard about this and took like a day to jump on it. It was fantastic.”
The Clerk’s Office put on the ceremony at no additional cost to the couples beyond the standard marriage licensing fees. Osceola Clerk of Court and Comptroller Kelvin Soto said the occasion is a great way for his office to interact with the public — he already can’t wait for next year.
“This is something that can be a great first step for these couples.
“When the idea was presented by the staff, I thought people want to be serious on their wedding day. We officiate weddings every day on the (Courthouse) second floor. Our staff came up with all the decorations, the script and such, and I’m so proud of them.”
Clerk’s Office Chief of Staff Rob Wilhoit presided over the morning ceremony.
“On this Halloween day, we share the joyous matrimony (of these couples … may there be treats and not tricks in your marriage, and may your love continue to be sweet for all your years,” he said as part of a dutiful blessing — clad in black, of course.
