Ottawa Pastors Perform Free Weddings
By: Andrew Barra WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: September 23, 2012
OTTAWA-For every couple - their wedding is considered their "special day"
However - you usually have to fork over a good chunk of time and money to put one on.
WMBD's Andrew Barra shows us how two pastors in Ottawa are taking action to help with that pressure on some potential newly weds.
This is Danyelle and David Gibson's special day.....and they really didn't spend much -- , or plan, for anything.
Pastor Carl Hardie says, "Thirty dollars for a marriage license certificate from LaSalle County. That's it? That's it."
Carl Hardie and Paul Bladen are two pastors of local churches in Ottawa. One day, the two thought "how can they offer their services in the most creative way? This is what they came up with...free weddings.
Bladen says, " Many times - I talk with people who just don't have the money to do a lot of things. Marriages are expensive. Real expensive."
Hardie adds, "If you got parents with money to spend - then congratulations to you. its a special event. But it doesn't have to be..spend a lot of money. "
The Gibson' didn't want to spend a year planning their wedding...that's why they decided to exchange vows here.
They said, "It only took a week to plan the wedding. It was just simple. it;s not a big wedding. Just right to the point. Big weddings are really overwhelming."
The pastors wanted to make sure that - even despite financial and planning concerns, everyone should be able to have a special wedding day.
Hardie adds, "The important thing is those - the commitent of vows to each other.It's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me.
And for the Gibsons....the ability to say "I do" makes their special experience.
In all, the two pastors performed eight weddings today.
However - you usually have to fork over a good chunk of time and money to put one on.
WMBD's Andrew Barra shows us how two pastors in Ottawa are taking action to help with that pressure on some potential newly weds.
This is Danyelle and David Gibson's special day.....and they really didn't spend much -- , or plan, for anything.
Pastor Carl Hardie says, "Thirty dollars for a marriage license certificate from LaSalle County. That's it? That's it."
Carl Hardie and Paul Bladen are two pastors of local churches in Ottawa. One day, the two thought "how can they offer their services in the most creative way? This is what they came up with...free weddings.
Bladen says, " Many times - I talk with people who just don't have the money to do a lot of things. Marriages are expensive. Real expensive."
Hardie adds, "If you got parents with money to spend - then congratulations to you. its a special event. But it doesn't have to be..spend a lot of money. "
The Gibson' didn't want to spend a year planning their wedding...that's why they decided to exchange vows here.
They said, "It only took a week to plan the wedding. It was just simple. it;s not a big wedding. Just right to the point. Big weddings are really overwhelming."
The pastors wanted to make sure that - even despite financial and planning concerns, everyone should be able to have a special wedding day.
Hardie adds, "The important thing is those - the commitent of vows to each other.It's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me.
And for the Gibsons....the ability to say "I do" makes their special experience.
In all, the two pastors performed eight weddings today.
