By the power vested in him by the Universal Life Church, American Gods star Orlando Jones pronounced Melissa and Esteban Martinez man and wife in a Star Wars-themed ceremony at San Diego Comic-Con.
And yes, it’s all legal — the actor and self-professed geek really got ordained, the couple really got a marriage license, and they really said “I do” in front of TV stars, Syfy employees and fellow fans during a ceremony at the cable network’s pop-up wedding chapel in San Diego’s Gaslamp District.
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This couple just got married (by @TheOrlandoJones!) at Comic-Con #SDCC #SDCC17 https://t.co/h8oRMkwfWN pic.twitter.com/s20ONKDOpJ
— Jean Bentley (@hijean) July 20, 2017
The San Diego couple recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. “We already considered ourselves husband and wife — we’re dedicated to each other,” the groom told The Hollywood Reporter before the ceremony. “But then this opportunity came up and we thought, ‘Why not make it official?'”
The groom, who is a Star Wars fan, was dressed in a Han Solo-inspired suit, while the bride wore a Poe Dameron-inspired dress, naturally.
The couple attended their first Comic-Con together seven years ago after bonding over Harry Potter and other shared nerdy interests. They’re both fans of Jones’ work, from the movie Double Take with Eddie Griffin to his recent dramatic turn on Starz’s American Gods. And, of course, they both love the fact that Jones is as big a nerd as his fans. “It’s always great to realize that the people you see on TV are as human as us,” the groom said.
The ceremonies continue through Saturday as part of Syfy’s all-out 2017 Comic-Con strategy as network celebrates its 25th anniversary. That also includes drumlines, a karaoke bus, cosplay makeup stations, 15 panels and three nights of a live show hosted by fellow nerd fave Zachary Levi. The romantic gig is also something Jones has wanted to do at Comic-Con for years, as he identifies with the passion of the fans he’ll be uniting in happily ever after during the weekend.
“Marrying fans at the Syfy Geek Chapel is the most spectacular thing I’ve ever done,” he tells THR. “Everyone follows the same path to fandom: You read or watch a story unfold as your heart races, you laugh, you cry, you fall in love and become a fan. I will forever be in Syfy’s debt for not only partnering with me and my Cosmunity app, but boldly going where no network has ever gone before. Celebrating 25 years of Syfy by putting fans center stage and sharing in one of the most magical moments in a person’s life pays more than lip service to the idea that #ItsaFanThing.”
Got my Credentials of Ministry for @SYFY Geek Weddings
By the power vested in me,
I now pronounce you…
Loved eternally #ItsAFanThing pic.twitter.com/6ENvlc2LQM— Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) July 19, 2017
The sunny wedding space, which is sandwiched between a steak restaurant and a taco shop, will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons and comes complete with lush greenery, benches for guests and a station of accessories (including bouquets, bow ties, veils, and the most essential wedding accouterment: lightsabers).
Comic Con weddings are a thing. One is about to begin, officiated by @TheOrlandoJones at the @Syfy Geek Love Chapel #SDCC2017 pic.twitter.com/wZBt9y6JXr
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 20, 2017
And the Comic-Con love didn’t end after the Martinez ceremony. Sharknado star Ian Ziering surprised his wife, Erin, and proposed that they renew their vows. The couple took advantage of Jones’ new status as an ordained minister and re-tied the knot with their children present. (There were no reports of flying sharks.)
Ian Ziering renews his vows as part of Syfy’s wedding pop-up with Orlando Jones officiating! #SDCC pic.twitter.com/Lu6RlIn3Ly
— Lesley Goldberg (@Snoodit) July 20, 2017
