Trail-blazing chapel offers drive-through weddings
Chris Lackner, National Post

A London Ont., wedding chapel will soon give new meaning to the word "quickie" by offering the country's first drive-through wedding service.

"This is for people that are whimsical and want to do something different," said Dale Brewster, owner of the Crystal Wedding Chapel in London, Ont. "People need to have fun and shouldn't be serious all the time - even the weddings. I think that people who might do something like this might have a better chance of having their marriage last."

The chapel's drive-through package will cost $169 and include a ceremony conducted by an ordained minister, a "Just Married" car window sign, a "Just Married" truck sign attached with cans and streamers, a souvenir wedding certificate, and a bouquet and boutonniere for the bride and groom.

The final touches are being made to the chapel's drive-through alter and overhanging rose arbour, but its first drive-by couple is scheduled to tie the knot this coming Saturday.

Ms. Brewster said her first two customers are London city transit employees, who will be married in a city bus filled with family.

"Some people say it's pretty tacky, but getting married in a strange place is nothing new," Ms. Brewster explained. "People are always getting married in places like hot air balloons, on beaches, underwater - this is just another option. It's really not that outrageous.

The chapel will arrange transportation for drive-by couples upon request; Ms. Brewster expects many will choose to take their vows in convertibles or limousines, but is open to almost all forms of transportation. "They may come through on a John Deere tractor if they want to…or on one of those bicycles made for two - that would be cute.

Many couples do not want to spend the thousands of dollars it costs to hold a traditional wedding and the Crystal Wedding Chapel is a cheap alternative, Ms. Brewster said "I don't know if a drive-through is really romantic - but my chapel is," she added. "A lot of corners can be cut on a wedding."

The chapel has recently received many inquiries from gay and lesbian couples searching for a place to marry, and is more than happy to accommodate them, she said.

The Crystal Wedding Chapel opened last fall and offers other wedding packages that do not revolve around four wheels, including "The King", a $799 affair that features an Elvis impersonator who will walk and sing a bride down the aisle, and then poses for pictures with the newlyweds.

clackner@nationalpost.com

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