Traditionally speaking, most weddings consist of the complete tuxedo ensemble, a bright white wedding gown, wailing mothers, bouquet tossing and a disc jockey. But when it’s all about getting hitched in Tombstone, tradition and normalcy get a swift boot to the dusty curbside.

Weddings in the Old West are certainly not a new gig for the old town of Tombstone, and at the same time not a growing phenomenon. However, for those who manage, plan and cater to the dearly beloved, they do so with nothing more than a smile on their face and happiness in their heart.

But why of all places, is Tombstone the destination to get married? After all, the quickie wedding capital of the nation — Las Vegas — is no more than eight hours away.

“It’s the wild west,” said Morningstar Queen, a wedding planner and city ordained minister. “What’s not to love about dressing up in the western get-up and getting married in it?”

Queen has been in the wedding business in Tombstone since 1995. Originally a Washington native, she vowed that once she retired she would travel across the entire nation. It was in her nomadic journey that she came across Tombstone and chose it as her nesting place.

“What’s funny is I never imagined that I would be doing this kind of business,” she said. “But I love every bit of it and wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Queen charges a flat rate of $100 and anything after that is up to the bridal party such as catering, reception accommodations and music.

Other businesses like Tombstone Bordello Bed and Breakfast on 101 W. Allen St. also provide wedding services and a place to stay for the newlyweds and their guests.

“We have an ordained minister within our business and up to eight available rooms,” said Lynda Knox, co-manager of Bordello. “We do have something of a wedding-like atmosphere right outside the building, which is nice because everything is so close.”

The outside part of the bed and breakfast offers a garden patio, which is particularly nice for smaller weddings during the springtime, she added.

“If for some reason the garden patio is not suitable for the wedding, we do offer the use of the gazebo in the park,” Knox said. “What’s nice about that is that it’s close distance, too.”

The best time of year for any wedding is in the fall and spring seasons. Both Queen and Knox agree that it’s usually in the springtime when they marry the most people.

But once again, the question remains — why Tombstone?

“You can have your big wedding with hundreds of guests, fathers crying, the bride stressing out and the flower girls waiting to toss petals,” Queen said,
“But when you look at it again, from the beginning all the way to the end, man, it is just so stressful.”

In a few short words, the reason why Tombstone is a sought out wedding destination is because it’s quaint, it’s personal, and above all informal.

Queen said there are several different styles of weddings she has done, but a good portion of them are theatrical and decked out in the western garb.

“I’ve had so many couples come to me from around the nation to get married,” Queen said. “It makes me feel so good to know that people are coming here, rather than travel out to Las Vegas. Matter of fact, it’s kind of mind blowing.”

Heather and Jeff Heath from Safford, Ariz., were married by Queen on Oct. 2 beneath the World’s Largest Rose Tree, minus the western get-up.

“My wife’s always been in love with the rose tree,” Jeff said. “That’s where she wanted to get married, so we did.”