Are 'guerrilla weddings' the new elopement trend?

For their civil ceremony, Chicago couple Stacy Alan and John Poole wanted to get married in front of one of their favorite works of art Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte,” at the Art Institute of Chicago. The Chicago Tribune reports, that instead of booking the venue (which is available for weddings) or even asking permission the couple entered the gallery during regular business hours and an officiant performed a three-minute ceremony while twenty of the couple’s family and friends watched.

Museum security guards and other museum patron’s didn’t even notice! The couple’s friends and family are calling it a “guerrilla wedding,” because of the unexpected take over of a venue by the small wedding party. If this story sounds familiar then you might remember Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams doing this at the same museum in the movie "The Vow"!


A Utah couple did something similar earlier this month, but instead of a museum they got married while on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. Yes, the ride was actually moving as the officiant pronounced the couple husband and wife! They pulled it off by asking the ride operator to fill their boat with their family and friends (see a photo of the couple after their guerrilla wedding below!), and timed the ceremony to the ride.

We know what you’re thinking, is the marriage actually official? Yes! You can get married anywhere as long as you have an ordained officiant and at least one witness to sign the marriage license. It can be tricky though, you have to be prepared to make alternate plans in case you get caught and are asked to leave. If you’re looking for a low-key elopement and an awesome wedding story than this might be for you!