CRAWFORD, Texas -- The aisle was strewn with hay. A few flies buzzed around. There was no organ; the crowd hummed "Here Comes the Bride."
But Genevieve Van Cleve and Peter Ravella had their dream wedding Sunday under a giant tent at the makeshift campsite of peace activists and military families protesting the war with Iraq.
"This is meaningful. This has substance," Van Cleve said. "We completely support what they're doing, and we just wanted to add whatever love, fidelity, loyalty and honor that we could."
The Austin couple, who have been dating since 2003 and got engaged in March, had planned to marry in November. They had talked about a church wedding, then thought of tying the knot in a relative's backyard. It is the second marriage for both.
"We couldn't find something that really felt right for us," said Ravella, 46, an attorney who works in environmental consulting.
But when they went to the campsite near President Bush's ranch last weekend, they were moved to tears after meeting parents of fallen soldiers, including Cindy Sheehan, who started the protest Aug. 6 and vowed to remain until Bush talked to her.
Van Cleve and Ravella got to know many of the hundreds at the camp, then realized that was where they wanted to start their life together.
"When we met those families, the wedding planning all seemed a little frivolous at that point," said Van Cleve, 34, who works for a software company and has participated in other peace rallies.
So after getting permission to use the camp from Sheehan and other camp leaders, the couple had a few days to find a minister, pick out rings, hire a photographer and buy wedding outfits -- as well as invite all of their families and friends.
It all fell into place, and most of their invited guests were able to attend. Ravella's sons, ages 13 and 10, also participated in the ceremony when the couple presented them with cross necklaces.
And the $500 the couple saved so far for the wedding? They gave it to organizations for families of fallen soldiers and relatives of troops still serving overseas. The couple plan to give $500 more to the groups.
"As it turns out, I couldn't have planned anything better than this," Van Cleve said.
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/4908837/detail.html?rss=dfw&psp=news