Are the Taco Bell Wedding and McDonald's Wedding Venues a Sign of the Times?

A Taco Bell wedding ranks high on the meter of weird wedding locations, but it is by no means the only fast food joint to witness nuptials. There are other fast food wedding venues and wedding reception locales where couples said their vows.

Taco Bell Wedding

WRCB TV reports that Paul and Caragh Brook spent a whopping $200 on a marriage ceremony held at their favorite Taco Bell in Normal, Illinois. Having met via a dating service with the bride living in Australia and the groom residing in the U.S., finding a wedding location was the least of the obstacles they needed to overcome. The wedding reception was immediately following.

McDonald's Wedding Locations

Of course, three years earlier, a couple dismissed all other wedding locations in favor of the McDonald's where they meet. WKYC reports that Tyree and Trisha Henderson of Fairborn, Ohio chose to say their vows at the McDonald's where they met "behind the counter."

In 2002, Brits Andrew Smith and Judy Foulkes decided to hold a wedding reception at their local McDonald's. The BBC reported that both were on their second marriages, and as such the couple did not want to go through the rigmarole of a full fledged sit down wedding reception. Having said their vows at the registrar's office, the couple and their guests stood in line at McDonald's and placed their orders.

Cut Rate Wedding Ideas "In" for Post Modern Couples

The Taco Bell wedding -- and also the McDonald's wedding venue and wedding reception locale -- underscore a change in wedding ideas. The price tag is a compelling reason for looking to a fast food wedding reception as opposed to a sit down meal, but perhaps the fact that the majority of second and third weddings end in divorces, may also play a role.

The Divorce Rate site suggests that 60% of second marriages and 73% of third marriages end in divorce. This is distinct from the 50% of first marriages that end in divorce. Although the numbers may give rise to squabbling and interpretation, the facts bear out that more couples separate and divorce than live happily ever after.

Could it be that this has led to a disenchantment with the once in a lifetime party which, if playing the Vegas odds, could see a repeat in five to 10 years from now with a new main supporting role and cast of players acting as guests?

Sources: http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9655209; http://www.wkyc.com/news/watercooler/watercooler_article.aspx?storyid=48558; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2176038.stm; http://www.divorcerate.org/