You’re invited to a Halo wedding....sorta

December 17, 12:11 AMWedding and Marriage ExaminerElizabeth Oakes

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  Happy Halo-ers: John Henry and Desirai Labrada
                 (photo by RF Photography.com)

If you don’t have an Xbox 360 or know what a “first-person shooter” is, this wedding story won’t make a lot of sense until you know that Halo is one of the best-selling and most popular console games in history; it has additionally generated bestselling novels, original soundtrack releases, action figures, spoof videos, product tie-ins, and a massive, dedicated fan base.  And now--though perhaps unexpected of a futuristic virtual world where big armored dudes spend their time blasting away at each other---it has inspired love, and a wedding.   Awwwww.

John Henry (aka Psychovandal) and Desirai Labrada (game monikker: SickNDeHed) will tie the knot in a Halo-themed wedding on January 17th, 2009 at Florida's Orlando Science Center during Otronicon, a gamer/game-technology expo. They met online playing Halo 2 in 2004 (and yes, they've met in real life and now live together in Florida); they’re hoping for halo-shaped rings and have found a florist to turn out their red-and-blue floral theme, but no armor for the couple or dual-wieldable submachine guns for the bridesmaids--yet.  That’s where you come in.

If you can donate your services or (better yet) make most excellent Halo replicas for the ceremony, the happy pair would like to hear from you. They would also be grateful and glad to list you as a contributor if you make a cash donation via PayPal to support their endeavor; you might even be invited to take part in their post-nuptial “bride vs. groom” Halo tournament.  What better way to celebrate a Covenant of love....whoops, I mean, a wedding....than to blow away some Brutes with your bridal party?  I agree that it beats a first dance any day. 

Okay okay, yes, I’ve written a bit skeptically about seeking sponsorship for weddings before (see my post about the Bejeweled wedding here.) I’m not saying I agree with sponsorship in all circumstances--I’m still against the idea of soliciting free alcohol for an event in exchange for advertising to your wedding guests--but I think I’ve finally been won over to the idea of creating some kind of revenue/gift stream so the creative aspects of this ceremony can be realized.  Hell, I admit it: I’d love to see this Halo-style hitching happen right, SMGs and all, just for the subversive fun of it (and because it would make so many geeks so very happy.)

So if you’re a hardcore gamer and Santa brings you a little extra financial joy this winter, won’t you spread the goodwill by donating to Psychovandal and SicknDeHed’s special event?  You might even receive an invite.  Just remember: a gracious wedding guest always lets the newlyweds save the universe before he mops up the remaining points. 

Have a great wedding, John and Desirai!  Until next time, a sweet and long life (virtual and IRL) to you all.

Elizabeth Oakes welcomes your feedback at weddingexaminer@gmail.com.