As if the prospect of tying the knot wasn’t daunting enough for most people, the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder’s office is offering Halloween-lovers who opt to say their vows on All Hallow’s Eve the opportunity to do so with a little ghoulish flair.
Traditionally a busy day for employees at the Clerk’s office, staff decided to get into the spirit in 2013 and have been offering in-costume wedding ceremonies to marriage-minded zombies and Goths ever since.
About-to-be-Halloween-newlyweds are also given the opportunity to pick one of the office’s costumed presiders for their ceremony.
Last year, 11 of the 14 couples who got married on October 31st had their marriage solemnized by a Deputy Commissioner in character dress, according to Office Supervisor Elizabeth Gutierrez.
There is no advanced notice of what costumes staff members will wear, she said, but couples can pick a character to marry them from a list which has included a green witch, purple witch, werewolf, bride of Frankenstein, Wonder Woman, cowboy, Giants fan, cheerleader, vampire and prisoner.
Last year, Gutierrez said, the office had requests for a Jimi Hendrix, a witch, Ariel from The Little Mermaid, Day of the Dead and others.
The less ghoulishly inclined can still opt for a presider without costume.
The Clerk-Recorder’s office will be open for weddings from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This is priceless! I haven’t gotten married since Kennedy was in office (okay, not that along ago), but I can’t imagine embarrassing my parents like that, especially my Dad. This will NOT look good in the Christmas cards. Marriage isn’t “that bad”…