Is It Time To Bring Back The KLAQ Mega Marriage?

The KLAQ Mega Marriage was a Valentines tradition in El Paso for years and a huge number of couples tied the knot, and then partied like rock stars, with The Q.

For more years than I can remember, El Paso love birds blew off the traditional, "stuffy" marriage ceremonies and made their big day even more fun and special by joining other couples in a huge, "come one, come all" wedding free for all.

Judge Sue Kurita was the officiant every year and "Magic" Mike Ramsey was every couples honorary "best man". Those two should probably be in the Guinness Book Of World Records for having performed those services for the most couples.

While maintaining some sense of decorum, Judge Kurita and Magic kept the ceremonies fun but t was the couples themselves that really brought the party. The dress code was all over the map with couples sporting everything from full blown wedding gowns and tuxes to jeans and shorts. Some wore costumes.

The bands rocked, the drinks flowed and a lot of very cool and valuable prizes were given away. We managed to annoy just about every guest on the first 3 floors of the Paso Del Norte one year. The front desk phone rang the whole time we were there.

Semi - freshly dressed Q staff members: Buzz Adams far left, Johnny Gonzalez front, Steve Kaplowitz far right

Scott Ronson ... yes, that is TOO Ronson ... on the right.

Did A Mega Marriage Bride Appear On The Tonight Show With Jay Leno?

Kind of. One bride had her picture taken by the El Paso Times in a beautiful gown, on the staircase of the Paso Del Norte, (then the Camino Real), guzzling a beer. The pic was printed and somehow got to Jay Leno ... or, it may have been Letterman, I don't remember ... who showed it on TV as part of a bit he did involving weird news stories. I've looked everywhere but can't find the pic.  :/

Was This The Shortest Marriage Ever?

One year, we had a couple tie the knot, then get wasted, fight and break up. That's GOT to be be another Guinness record. There can't be that many marriages lasting only 2 or 3 hours.

Why Does Dubba G Hate Europa?

The Santana instrumental was used as the bridal march one year and was played beautifully, note for note perfect by the band. (It was Cuervo I think.) Around 50 or so brides walked up the aisle, going slowly for family to get photos and then stopping for a professional photographer at the end.

That took about 30 - 40 minutes, I swear, with the band playing Europa over and over without stopping. To this day, I can't stand that song.

Getting Hit On By A Bride

Yep.  With the ink not even dry on the marriage certificate, (and her new hubby, a young, maybe too young, army guy passed out in their room), the blushing bride did her best to get me to take her up to my room.  (I declined, that would have been rude.)

That may have been the year we discussed having a "Mega Divorce".  Seriously, those were a lot of fun and I think it would be kind of cool to do it again.  Thoughts? Put 'em in the comments!