Bride and Groom Need Not Attend

In Montana, couples use stand-ins to tie the knot
By J. Kelman,  Newser User
Posted May 14, 2007 3:40 PM CDT
Bride and Groom Need Not Attend
'   (Index Open (http://www.indexopen.com))

Who says you need to be present at your own wedding? In Montana, where a World War II–era law allows "proxies" to stand in for the bride and groom, hundreds of couples from as far away as China are sending substitutes to the altar—or in this case, bench—the Chicago Tribune reports. Stand-ins charge $50 to say "I do" before the judge.

Only a few couples each year used to take advantage of the law, intended for military spouses. But the Internet sparked a run on the practice; one enterprising Israeli law firm wanted to set up a marriage-by-proxy franchise. No such luck, say state lawmakers, who've just nixed the proxy policy for all but Montana residents and military families. (More Montana stories.)

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