wedding

WTF Fun Fact 13555 – Spiderman Wedding

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1987 marked a special year in the annals of comic book history – A SpiderMan wedding.

Marvel Comics decided not just to entwine the destinies of Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and Mary Jane Watson in the illustrations of a comic book but to bring this union to life.

SpiderMan’s Wedding IRL

The matrimony of the characters was scripted for “The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21.” But in a bold move, Marvel Comics announced that Spider-Man and Mary Jane would exchange vows in a live-action wedding ceremony.

The location? Shea Stadium in New York. The attendees? Thousands of enthusiastic fans, media reporters, and a unique blend of the real and fictional worlds.

Marvel ensured a grand event by inviting a ton of celebrities and ensuring that actors were present, clad in full superhero regalia, representing some of Marvel’s iconic figures.

The Fantastic Four, Captain America, and even the Hulk graced the occasion, interacting with fans and providing a tangible connection to the Marvel Universe.

A Bride, A Groom, and A Legendary Designer

Mary Jan donned an elegant wedding dress, but this wasn’t just any gown. It was designed by none other than Willi Smith, a renowned fashion designer of that era.

Peter Parker, or Spider-Man, however, chose to walk down the aisle in his signature red and blue superhero suit, representing the duality of his life as both a superhero and a regular man in love.

Fans cheered as the couple exchanged vows. The lines between fiction and reality blurred as spectators felt the weight of Peter’s commitment, not only to his bride but to the city he vowed to protect. The cheers reached a crescendo when Spider-Man lifted his mask just enough to seal the union with a kiss.

The Impact and Legacy of the Spiderman Wedding

Marvel’s decision to host a live wedding was more than a promotional gimmick. It showcased the power of stories and their ability to influence, connect, and resonate with audiences. This event was a testament to Spider-Man’s popularity and the place he held in readers’ hearts.

For many fans, attending the wedding wasn’t just about witnessing two characters tie the knot; it was a celebration of being part of a larger community that shared their passion. The palpable excitement in Shea Stadium that day reflected the impact of comic books on popular culture.

The live-action wedding set a precedent for how media companies could interact with their audiences. It’s a testament to how narratives, when presented innovatively, can forge stronger connections with fans.

The Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson wedding was more than an event. It was a celebration of storytelling, fandom, and the unyielding bond between characters and their audiences.

Marvel Comics, through this event, illustrated that the world of comics isn’t confined to printed pages or drawn panels. It’s a universe that thrives in the hearts of its fans, occasionally spilling out into the real world in the most magical ways imaginable.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Marvel’s Weirdest Wedding Ever Saw Spider-Man & MJ Marry In Real Life” — ScreenRant

WTF Fun Fact 13519 – Dog Eats Passport

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It’s another one of those stories: – man meets woman, man and woman plan wedding in Italy, man’s dog eats passport right before the wedding so he can’t travel. A tale as old as time, right?

For Donato Frattaroli of Massachusetts, the days after his wedding became a mad dash against time, bureaucracy, and a mischievous golden retriever named Chickie. Just days before he was set to fly to Europe for his wedding, Chickie decided to indulge in a snack that put the entire celebration in jeopardy: Frattaroli’s passport.

Chickie’s Appetite for Adventure

Anyone who has a pet knows that they can sometimes get themselves into mischief. The one-year-old golden retriever, endearingly named Chickie – short for Chicken Cutlet, took this to a new level. Multiple pages of Frattaroli’s passport, crucial for his upcoming trip to Italy, bore evidence of Chickie’s taste for international cuisine. One can only wonder if Chickie sensed the significance of the document or simply saw it as another chew toy.

Dog Eats Passport

Discovering the chewed-up passport so close to their wedding date must have been a heart-stopping moment for Frattaroli and his fiancée, Magda Mazri. The panic that would ensue in such a scenario is unimaginable for most. With a scheduled wedding reception in Italy just around the corner, every second counted.

Normally, replacing a passport can be a tedious process, often taking weeks. Undeterred, the soon-to-be-wed couple took quick action, reaching out to local lawmakers for assistance. Their pleas didn’t fall on deaf ears. Rep. Stephen Lynch and Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts swiftly stepped in, aiding the couple in expediting the typically lengthy passport renewal process.

A Paws-itive Spin

Optimism and perseverance paid off. Just a few days later, following a crucial appointment on Monday, Frattaroli had a brand-new passport by Wednesday, as reported by Boston ABC affiliate WCVB. A story that began with potential heartbreak had turned into a heartwarming tale of community support and swift action.

Learning from the experience, Frattaroli told WCVB about his plans to invest in a file cabinet or safe, ensuring such precious documents stay out of Chickie’s playful reach in the future.

Not ones to let a dramatic incident overshadow their joy, the couple turned the situation into a fun anecdote. They shared a celebratory photo of Frattaroli’s new passport. And in a delightful twist, Chickie wasn’t left out of the travel plans.

The golden retriever received his very own “pupster passport” – a playful nod to the chaos he unwittingly caused. This special passport boasted stamps from fun destinations such as a fire hydrant, the beach, and of course, “Granny’s home.”

A Journey of Gratitude After Dog Eats Passport

The overwhelming support and assistance the couple received in their time of need left a lasting impression. “We are extremely grateful. …All of the support has not gone unnoticed and we are forever thankful!” Mazri expressed to ABC News.

As the couple finally set off for their dream wedding in Italy, Mazri joyfully exclaimed, “Andiamo!” – “Let’s go!” in Italian.

This story, while filled with initial panic, serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life. It’s a testament to the importance of community, resilience, and maintaining a sense of humor, even when faced with unexpected challenges.

And of course, it’s also a gentle nudge to all pet owners to keep vital documents away from their furry friends’ curious paws.

—WTF fun facts

Source: “Groom gets new passport in time for wedding after dog ate it” — Good Morning America

WTF Fun Fact 12811 – Pope Francis Conducts Mid-Air Wedding

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Imagine being on the same flight as Pope Francis (we’d feel pretty safe, all considered). Then imagine striking up a conversation with him and having him offer to officiate a second wedding for you!

Pope Francis’ mid-air wedding offer

In 2018, Paola Podest Ruiz, age 41, and groom Carlos Ciuffardi Elorriaga, age 39 were working as flight attendants on a flight from Santiago to Iquique, Chile. The couple had already been legally married in a civil ceremony in early 2010, but they had planned to follow it up with a church ceremony.

However, on February 27, an enormous earthquake hit the country – it measured 8.8 on the Richter scale and caused a massive tsunami that further damaged coastal areas. 525 people lost their lives, and it was clearly no time for a wedding. But the couple always regretted not being married in the church.

Of course, Pope Francis, being a big fan of a Catholic wedding blessing offered to help the couple out by conducting a ceremony right then and there, on the plane, in the sky!

As far as anyone knows, it’s the first time a pope has conducted a mid-flight wedding.

The couple’s reaction

Despite being legally married for years, the couple jumped at the opportunity.

Mr. Elorriaga told Sky News (cited below): “We told him that we are husband and wife. That we are married. That we have two daughters and that we would have loved to receive his blessing. All of a sudden he asked us if we were married by the church too. We are not married by the church because the 2010 earthquake happened on the day we got married.”

The pontiff then asked the most important question:

“He took our hands and he asked if there was love in our marriage and if we want to keep on being together for life. He asked if wanted to stay together until the end. We said ‘Yes’. We laughed for a while. It was very moving. He blessed us. He married us. It was a huge emotion, we are very, very happy.”

The Vatican confirms the story

You might be tempted to think the story is at least partially made up, but Vatican spokesman Greg Burke confirmed the mid-air wedding.

“Something totally extraordinary happened today, which was that the hostesses and the stewards going to get their photos taken and one said: ‘We are a couple, we met on a plane.’ And as they walked back they said that the Pope married them in a religious ceremony, which obviously has never happened on a papal plane before. They were super happy. The first time the Pope heard about it was this morning, it wasn’t part of the plan.”

We just wonder…does the drink cart court as an open bar ceremony?

– WTF fun facts

Source: “Pope marries flight attendants in mid-air wedding” — Sky News

WTF Fun Fact 12710 – Elvis Is Leaving Vegas

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Chapels can no longer use Elvis’s image and likeness for Las Vegas weddings, according to cease-and-desist letters obtained by CNN.

Authentic Brands Group (ABG) asked Vegas Weddings and Viva Las Vegas Weddings to stop conducting The King-themed weddings because they are infringing on intellectual property rights owned by Elvis’s estate and creating “the false impression that Elvis Presley Enterprises has approved, endorsed, or sponsored the Infringing Chapel. The Infringing Chapel is clearly trading off the Elvis Presley intellectual property rights, image, name, and likeness without the consent of Elvis Presley Enterprises.”

Authentic Brands Group purchased the intellectual property associated with Elvis in 2013. 

They released a statement saying:

“As the guardians of the Elvis Presley estate, it is our responsibility to safeguard his legacy. This includes ensuring that all products, services, and advertisements utilizing Elvis’ name, image, or likeness are officially licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises. The estate has strong relationships with official Elvis tribute artists, fan clubs, and festivals, as well as a robust global network of licensed merchandise partners. There is no intention to shut down chapels that offer Elvis packages in Las Vegas. We are seeking to partner with each of these small businesses to ensure that their use of Elvis’ name, image, and likeness are officially licensed and authorized by the estate, so they can continue their operations.”

In case you need the tl;dr version, it’s not so much that Elvis is leaving Vegas but that the owners of his name, image, and likeness would like a cut of the profits from Elvis-themed weddings.

The wedding industry in Las Vegas has argued that they help keep The King’s legacy alive. ABG has backtracked a bit on their initial statement:

“We are working with the chapels to ensure that the usage of Elvis’ name, image, and likeness are in keeping with his legacy. Elvis is embedded into the fabric of Las Vegas, and we embrace and celebrate Elvis fandom. From tribute artists and impersonators to chapels and fan clubs, each and every one of these groups help to keep Elvis relevant for new generations of fans.”

It remains to be seen how it’ll all work out, but if you had an Elvis-themed wedding planned in Vegas, you’ll want to double-check your plans! – WTF fun facts

Source: “Las Vegas wedding chapels receive Elvis cease-and-desist letters” — CNN

WTF Fun Fact 12708 – Parents Sue For Grandchildren

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In a story that raised eyebrows around the world, a couple in India is telling their son and daughter-in-law that waiting six years for a grandchild is just too long (or at least long enough).

Sanjeev Ranjan Prasad and Sadhana Prasad paid for an education in the U.S. so their son could become a pilot, bought him a luxury car, and financed his lavish wedding and overseas honeymoon. And now they are looking for payback in the form of a grandchild to dote on.

The couple’s lawyer, Arvind Srivastava, seems to understand: “I feel very sorry for them because I am also an Indian and I can understand their pain,” he said. “This is an Indian parent thing.”

There are probably plenty of prospective grandparents around the world who can sympathize with the disappointment, but it’s the lawsuit (and the accompanying feeling of entitlement) that is…let’s say…puzzling.

They seem to feel that the money was an investment in their own child so they could get something back – in the form of a grandchild. They’ve expressed sadness, embarrassment, and now a bit of litigious rage that the couple seems to have no interest in having a baby after six years. And they seem to think that they are now owed $650,000 for the disappointment and humiliation they have endured.

The deal is that the young couple can now take a year to produce the heir or pay up, and a northern Indian court is overseeing the case (which, according to most legal scholars, will go nowhere).

But regardless of whether or not the case just goes away, it’s raising a debate about what kids owe their parents, legally and spiritually.

According to the NYT: “In the Hindu faith, as in other traditions, children have a duty to repay a moral debt to their parents by taking care of them in their old age. Having grandchildren is also seen as necessary to carry forward a family’s lineage and help one’s parents achieve enlightenment.”

Here’s an interview with the parents involved:

– WTF fun facts

Source: “No Grandchild? Six Years After Son’s Wedding, These Parents Are Suing” — The New York Times