Free weddings for all at a bar in Penticton this weekend

Dozens of lovers will be committing the rest of their lives to one another at the Barking Parrot in Penticton on Saturday night. 

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the bar is hosting a Las Vegas-style wedding night on Feb. 12, giving any two people the opportunity to get married for free.

“It’s going to have a shotgun-wedding feel,” manager Maddi Gunderson said.

The Parrot and Lakeside Resort are in the same building, and the team at the restaurant were sad to learn so many weddings were being cancelled and postponed due to COVID, she said.

“So we decided that Valentine’s Day would be a super fun time to have a Las Vegas-themed wedding,” she said.

Around 20 couples have confirmed so far and another 10 are “in the works.”

READ MORE: Pandemic uncertainty continues to challenge Okanagan wedding planners, couples

One of the brides-to-be is an employee of the Parrot who has been engaged since before the pandemic, and others will be travelling from as far as Vancouver and Langley for their free wedding.

Some couples will be participating to renew their vows.

These holy matrimonies will be considered legitimate as long as the couple buys a marriage license from the province for $100.

“The weddings will actually be witnessed by a notary,” Gunderson said.

Performing the rapid-fire nuptials will be Heather Byer.

“Oh I’m excited,” Byer said.

“It’s been hard for a lot of people to have a big wedding the past couple years – this is wonderful. And the reception is right there for free.”

The ceremony was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. but due to popular demand organizers are planning to start one hour earlier.

A $5 Chinese food buffet goes from 7 to 10 p.m. Reception runs from 10 p.m. until close with DJ Flashy G on the turntables.

To book your dream wedding at the Barking Parrot, call 250-493-9753. Couple are still welcome to marry each other without an appointment. 

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