by Mzzz Sweets - Sandy (Why do I have to add a last name?)
Member since:
September 8, 2006

Anybody want to get married?

March 19, 2008 10:01 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 27

 Two Montanans repeatedly take marriage vows without the benefit of divorce, but they aren't polygamists; they are proxies for absent brides and grooms.   Montana is the only state that allows a double-proxy wedding, meaning both sides can be no-shows. Kalispell, Mont., began taking advantage of this quirk about five years ago, when a native son serving in Iraq wanted to marry his pregnant girl- friend.   Some research by lawyer Dean Knapton and -- viola! -- Friday afternoon nuptials were born.   The law had been on Montana's books for several decades, per- haps to accommodate soldiers during World War II.   The cost to the real, albeit absent, bride and groom: $900, of which $50 apiece goes to the proxies, $100 to the judge, $150 to the lawyer-witness; $53 for court fees; $14 for two certified copies of the marriage certificate. The rest goes to a Pennsylvania couple who run a business facilitating proxy marriages.  

 

Would you consider getting married this way? Do you think it is a good idea?

Comments: 27

Patty H. Mar 19, 2008, 10:07am UTC
If the man I was wantting to marry was overseas searving our country yes I would. But since I have been married 11 1/2 years and not planning on ever doing it again, I guess I will never get my chance too.
I think it is a great idea, sometimes they have to take off without warning, if they already have there date set and things ready, why not?
Ann J. Mar 19, 2008, 10:08am UTC
Sure,if there was no other way,and I really WANTED to get married.
John Philipp Mar 19, 2008, 10:11am UTC
American ingenuity. Imagine, setting that up as a business.

Thanks.
April H. Mar 19, 2008, 10:13am UTC
In certain cases, like the one mentioned above, yes!
Marilyn M. Mar 19, 2008, 10:21am UTC
Wow. Someone saw a business opportunity, huh? I've heard of people getting married via the internet. Maybe that's better and cheaper. You can at least see one another via webcams.
Sandra T. Mar 19, 2008, 10:26am UTC
I'm already married and I would have killed Rick if he hadn't showed up!
JoAnne D. Mar 19, 2008, 10:33am UTC
I think it is a good idea, although I would not personally consider it unless the cirumstances were extreme.
Zara Stevens Mar 19, 2008, 10:34am UTC
Very interesting (and amusing!)
Wanda H. Mar 19, 2008, 10:40am UTC
I think it might have had it's day when the man isgoing off to war, the lady is pregnant and they want to be married before the child comes. That would have been very important during WWII, less than now, of course.

Would I do it. Not now but I could see doing it in other times. If it was legal and I needed to be married.

I am going to get married in a couple of months but I will do it the old fashioned way, side by side, with all my kids and grandkids to stand up for me. namaste
Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Mar 19, 2008, 11:25am UTC
In certain cases where there is little choice I suppose, but marriage should be more than just a legal arrangement handled by proxy. I wonder how many they perform each year?

Also, perhaps this is popular with people that marry prison inmates?

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Hollie C. Mar 19, 2008, 11:27am UTC
For military personnel who cannot attend because they are fighting a war, I think it's a great idea. I hope however, that this won't be abused and soon everyone will do it because they are just too busy. Marriage vows are very sacred and this should be used only in dire emergencies I feel.
Dusty Hubbard Mar 19, 2008, 11:35am UTC
What? I think it's a little crazy if you ask me. I guess I'm a traditionalist. I expect the man I'm marrying to show up at the wedding. Although, I can see it's usefulness in certain circumstances.
Proxies work in California, too.
Why, I wonder, does Ed think this is a farce? This practice has been allowed for centuries and just for the reasons that you cited above.
Austin Cushing Mar 19, 2008, 9:13pm UTC
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Michael Henry Mar 19, 2008, 10:11pm UTC
Very interesting article - people always find new ways to do old things!
debra g. Mar 19, 2008, 10:29pm UTC
I never thought about it.
juley g. Mar 19, 2008, 10:31pm UTC
Wow! I hadn't heard that.
Amanda P. Mar 19, 2008, 10:33pm UTC
No, what kind of wedding pictures would that be? Would you have to cut and paste the right groom in???
Kathryn W. Mar 20, 2008, 10:35pm UTC
eh, no thanks
carmel m. Mar 21, 2008, 1:31pm UTC
A wedding by proxy used to be far more common then now. In the fifties and sixties in order to join your military soon to be spouse you had to marry by proxy. You were not allowed to leave your duty station for a short leave to get married nor was the non military person allowed to go into that country and then get married so........
Shannon R. Mar 24, 2008, 10:51pm UTC
Thanks for posting this to my group.
Jennifer Neff Mar 29, 2008, 9:48pm UTC
I'd never get married that way and I can't see how anyone else would either.

To each their own, I suppose.
Rebecca L. Mar 29, 2008, 10:02pm UTC
I am a native Montanan and I had no idea this law existed here! Crazy
Rachel D. Mar 29, 2008, 11:08pm UTC
Not exactly a good idea, but I can see some extreme circumstances, like soldiers being deployed before they can get married, that kind of thing.
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Mar 30, 2008, 3:32am UTC
no i wouldnt and only think its a good idea if the persons over seas only

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