ST. GEORGE – Four couples were wed and one renewed their vows on Valentine’s Day in the “church of rock” at the hands of local 95.9 The Hawk radio disc jockey and his attending co-host, Jon Smith & Murphy – Smith just happened to have a license to marry.
“We wanted to do something more for Valentine’s Day,” said Murphy. “We were wondering: What’s the biggest thing we can do?”
As it turned out, the biggest thing they could do was make it legal for Jon Smith to perform marriages. This was accomplished after a visit to the American Marriage Ministries website. After Smith’s new license was procured, the “Hawk Nuptials,” a contest to win a free wedding complete with catering and photos – and a DJ-minister – was launched on Feb. 1.
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Videocast by Sarafina Amodt, St. George News
Though the winning couple, Kristopher and Kimberley Curry, were announced on Tuesday, Smith opened up the free weddings to any couple who showed up with a marriage license. In all, four couples were married and one renewed their vows.
Couples entered a conference room converted into a chapel with Smith waiting at the front, with his radio co-host Murphy standing nearby to act as a witness for the majority of the weddings. An electric guitar rendition of “Here Comes the Bride” played as the bride and groom walked up the aisle.
“Welcome to the church of rock,” Smith said to the couples, and proceeded with the ceremony. “Marriage is not to be taken lightly or in jest – unless it’s by a radio DJ wearing Batman shoes.”
Once Smith pronounced the couple husband and wife, AC/DC’s “Back in Black” was played to mark their newfound status.
Newlywed couple Jared and Jamie Rosado said they had been planning to get married in April, but after Jared saw a Facebook post about the free wedding, he and Jamie decided to make a changes of plans.
“We wanted to do something different and special,” Jared Rosado said.
Cody Zylks and Amy Lynn Christensen were also married by Smith and had their wedding broadcast over live radio.
The two said they had been thinking of going to Las Vegas to be married, but when the free Hawk Nuptials were announced, they jumped on the opportunity.
After the ceremony was finished and the paperwork was signed, each couple was then treated to free wedding photos courtesy of 98 East Photography.
As for Smith, he said it was an honor to perform the weddings.
“It’s awesome,” Smith said. “It’s cool to be a part of a family’s future.”
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Twitter: @MoriKessler
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Haha, awesome. Sure beats the cult-like temple weddings 😛