We did it. Gail and I were married at the Little White Wedding Chapel on Halloween, 1997.
We flew into Las Vegas on the night of October 29th and were met by one of my very closest friends, Erik Dorr. Erik was a lot skinnier than when he left Dutch Country, Pennsylvania (land of psychic DEATH.)
Erik and a bone-buddy
Gail and Stacy Warfel
We went to Erik's house and partied with him and Stacy until early morning.
The next day we were met by another very close friend, Dr. Dennis Baltzley. We bummed around all day in Dennis' rental car and found the marriage license place. After we got our license, we drove down the wedding chapel strip.
Joe and Gail at the marriage license place - happily filling out a teeny weeny form (no ID required!!!)
We did it - filled out the form and got our Las vegas marriage license - yippeee!
We first went to the Graceland Chapel, but they weren't doing business past midnight, and it was essential that we wed on Halloween. So we drove on to the next one - the Little White Wedding Chapel. Made our reservations and heaved a collective sigh of relief.
I realize now how famous this place is - everytime I see a special on Vegas weddings, this is the place people seem to go. We just stumbled onto it.
Gail and I moved our stuff out of Erik and Stacy's swingin' house of the odd and extreme, and moved into a room in the Luxor hotel - another mystical, symbolic part of our wedding time. Ancient looking and black, gleaming - perfect for our time.
That night, the long white limo came and picked us up. Went to the chapel and were soon met by an incarnation of Elvis. The extraordinary Brendan Paul - all in black leather, very tall, and charming. We made small talk for a bit, until Erik joined us. Erik arranged for Brendan to attend - thanks Erik, that was a super thing you did. And thank you, Brendan Paul, you were superb!
me and Dr. Baltzley
Dennis flew from Minneapolis to be with us at this important time. Dennis and I go way back to high school, college, the military, a golden friend. I missed his keen mind and wry sense of humor. He has lived in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis ( and now France and Switzerland). He is an industrial psychologist. Dennis is a lot of fun with a lot of interests.
...days I wonder why.