Blog & Podcast | I Wanna Get Married but my Wedding Officiant Isn’t Here!

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From the ‘Adventures in Matrimony’ Audio Podcast
Greenville, South Carolina

I can’t tell you how many people call me and say, “We had everything set up, and we’re supposed to get married today at (whatever time it may be), but the officiant that was supposed to marry us isn’t here. We’ve been trying to get in contact with them, but they won’t call us back.”

It’s crazy that this happens.

One particular case occurred on July 11, 2015. I was having a fairly leisurely day, enjoying time spent with my children out and about and NOT at home.

Around NOON one particular Sunny day, I received a phone call from a very terrified wedding participant, “We need someone to marry my friends within the next 15 minutes!”

My though, “What the…?”

“What do you mean you need someone to marry your friends in 15 minutes?”

“Yes, that’s right, how soon can you be here?”

“Ok, first of all, how soon can I be where?”

“Tindal Park here in Greenville, 15 minutes.”

So, I look down at what I’m wearing. A t-shirt and blue jeans. Yes, a t-shirt and blue jeans.

“Um, sir, I’m wearing a t-shirt and blue jeans.”

“We really don’t care what you’re wearing as long as you can get here in 15 minutes.”

So I say, “Okay then.”  As I’m about to speed away down to Tindal Park, I get to thinking, “Hmmmm, maybe I have something I could slap on in the trunk of my car.” Lo and behold, I did. Was it marrying material? A maxi dress was gonna have to do.

Change and dress slap-on took all of 2 minutes. Travel to Tindal Park from my location, about 10 minutes and NO I DIDN’T speed.  When I arrived, I was greeted by about 50 guests, family and friends all standing on pins and needles.  Oooooh Weeeeee!

So, the couple was married RIGHT ON TIME and the day was saved. I sort of felt like Wonder Woman.

Again Congratulations to the Bride and Groom, your marriage better last because I went through a lot to get there on time.

Your local Greenville and Upstate, South Carolina Marriage Notary Sonita M. Leak.