They’ll Tie The Knot When A Judge Won’t Do And A Church Ceremony Seems Too Formal, Couples Often Call On One Of These Three

Mayor Ron Chaney usually does it in his office and always wears a suit and tie.

John Pucci, head of Schweitzer Mountain Resort’s ski patrol, has done it three times atop the mountain.

And Charlie Packard, a cowboy bootwearin’ singer songwriter has done it at least 300 times, in boats and even on horseback.

The trio are talking weddings.

When a judge won’t do and a church ceremony seems too formal, couples often call on the never-frocked threesome to help them tie the knot.

“They call me the marryin’ mayor,” said Chaney, who does an average of 25 weddings a year.

“Most are spur of the moment. They call the office and say we want to do it. I have about two minutes warning.”

Packard, who said his mother hoped he’d become a Baptist minister, has helped couples with their nuptials for 18 years.

“I saw a need for people who wanted alternative weddings and alternative wedding sites. There didn’t seem to be a willingness to do that on the part of more structured religious ministers,” said the 54-year-old who coaches baseball and tends bar when he’s not singing.

The power invested in Packard and Pucci to perform marriages came from the Universal Life Church and a $50 mailorder ministry course. In the eyes of the state of Idaho and many others, the course allows the two reverends to legally wed couples.

“It’s quite legal, and it’s not something I take lightly. I have strong feelings about the reasons for marriage,” said Packard, who has been hitched himself for 24 years.

Pucci, who pours concrete in the summer, became a reverend two years ago. He only did it to marry some friends atop Schweitzer.

“I didn’t want to go into the business. It was just going to be an occasional on mountain thing,” said Pucci, who sports long hair and a handlebar mustache. “But I found I really enjoy it. I’m an outlaw at heart but this is a real spiritual thing.”

Pucci will marry two couples on Lake Pend Oreille this summer. Two months ago, he married a couple in San Franciso after ensuring his marital powers were legal in that state.

As long as Chaney holds the mayoral office, the state allows him to perform marriages. It’s his favorite part of the job. Chaney’s even written his own ceremonies, a short version (10 minutes) and a long version (about 20 minutes).

“I enjoy being mayor a lot, but not everything is as pleasant as performing a wedding ceremony,” he said.

Most are done in his office, with other city staff as witnesses. He’s also done weddings at restaurants and the ever popular City Beach.

The most memorable for him was last year when his stepdaughter was wed.

“I walked her down the aisle, handed her to her husband, then turned around and married them.”

Couples usually find Packard and Pucci by word of mouth or have attended a ceremony they performed. Neither advertises.

Packard also writes his own wedding vows and brings his guitar along so he can be both minister and musician.

“I do a real good wedding and try to keep the ceremony recognizable,” said Packard. “Even though we are sometimes out in the woods, I don’t want to do anything that will freak out Aunt Hazel or other relatives who are more orthodox.”

Packard, who has opened concerts for Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker, has done some weddings with only the bride and groom and others with 500 people. He’s done biker weddings where nearly everyone wears a gun and has a beer in their hand. He’s also done a wedding on horseback.

“As I strummed the first chord on my guitar one horse took offense and backed me into a tree,” he said.

Packard and Pucci both charge small fees for their services, typically about $75. Chaney’s ceremony is free.

“It’s a privilege and a joy for me to perform wedding ceremonies and under no condition will I accept payment,” the mayor said. “Most people offer and I’ve had some sneak $20 bills into my pocket, but I always find them, and they go back.”