A couple flying to Las Vegas for a discreet elopement ended up getting married mid-air when Southwest Airlines crew members converted their trip into a surprise wedding ceremony.
Sara Arroyo Montalvo and her partner had planned on a private exchange of vows after they got to Las Vegas.
But the crew found out about their plans and decided to throw them an impromptu ceremony on the aircraft.
The wedding was held August 13 in front of 178 people. The pilot of the plane officiated the ceremony. The captain was a licensed minister as well.
The crew went a step farther and made wedding accessories from everything on the aircraft. Montalvo was given a veil and a single-ply bridal dress made out of toilet paper and her bouquet was constructed out of coffee stir sticks.
“Fate couldn’t have been more aligned,” Montalvo said of the unexpected turn of events. It also marked the first time the couple had ever flown on Southwest Airlines.
She also thanked the crew for turning what was meant to be a private elopement into a party nobody would forget.
She wrote, “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for an unforgettable flight!”
Pictures from the event showed the pair exchanging vows in the aisle of the flight while several passengers watched and cheered them on.
The unconventional wedding immediately caught the attention of online users, with social media users complimenting the airline personnel for helping create a memorable experience for the newlyweds.
The impromptu ceremony also inspired several people to ask about the legalities of getting married in the air, asking where the marriage licence would be given, and how the requisite paperwork would be completed.
The odd wedding comes as other couples have also chosen unconventional venues for their big day. One couple recently got married at the McDonald’s where they both worked.
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