COUPLES WHO MARRY MILES APART
their home in Big Fork, and have married thousands of couples since 2010, including dozens of UK brides.
The proxy marriage is not a lesser form of union, and comes with the same responsibilities as any other.
And while Montana offers proxy marriages, proxy divorces are out.
Tom says: “It’s a very historic law that many are unaware of, including many government officials. When marrying in Montana you don’t need to be a minister, a magistrate or a judge to conduct the service. The only qualification you need is to be of sound mind. People can even marry each other.”
While Tom and Teresa normally marry around 40 couples a month, the coronavirus has seen April surpass 140 ceremonies. Military couples who would usually marry in the few days off between basic and advanced training have been unable to leave their bases.
The need for them to tie the knot is not only out of love, but in some ways out of necessity.
Tom explains: “As a girlfriend or boyfriend of someone in the military they hold no rights. But as a husband or wife, they benefit from all that goes with being in the forces. Everything from housing and health is taken care off, but crucially it allows couples to remain together wherever they are stationed throughout the world.”
The cost of their $750 (€670) wedding, which covers all court, legal and arrangement fees, is a small price for the benefits once married.
Over the years the Kennedys have seen brides and grooms aged from 17 to 60, have had “repeat customers”, and once wed a serial killer in the army, serving his time in a military prison.
“That one didn’t last long,” Tom says.
More recent times have seen an increase in samesex marriages, including transgender service
Tom gets Chris up to speed on vows personnel. The Kennedys have also married dozens of British brides who have fallen for US servicemen posted to RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, which host USAF units in Suffolk.
On the day of their wedding, the actual Mr and Mrs Phillips were 1,200 miles apart. They met in August last year in Spartanburg, South Carolina – just as Luke, 20, was set to join the US Air Force and leave town.
English student Savana, 19, says: “Luke ended up proposing over the phone during basic training. With everything shut down for the virus, we explored our options and stumbled on the double proxy marriage.
“We immediately knew it was what we wanted to do.”
Airman Luke was at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, when I took his place at his wedding.
Savana adds: “Even though we aren’t able to be together right now, and aren’t even sure when we’ll be reunited, we’re filled with happiness and joy knowing we’re legally married.”
chris.bucktin@reachplc.com
In Montana you don’t have to be a minister to marry people, just appear to be of sound mind TOM KENNEDY WHO RUNS PROXY WEDDINGS WITH WIFE TERESA