Talk about a shotgun wedding.
Sorry, we couldn’t resist.
As part of its 100th-year celebration, the NFL challenged each of its 32 teams to come up with a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans. The Buffalo Bills’ idea involved a wedding at New Era Field … during halftime of a game.
Seriously.
That wedding will take place Sunday, when Rochester couple Mackenzie Park and Jordan Binggeli tie the knot. They were the winners of a contest sponsored by Reeds Jenss. More than 1,400 applications were whittled down to a group of finalists, who each submitted a 60-second video explaining why, instead of walking down the aisle, they wanted to walk out to midfield.
It’s fate that Park and Binggeli were chosen. The couple had their first date at New Era Field. They also got engaged there, so it’s only fitting that they exchange “I do's” as well.
“Their passion for the team and how much it is a part of their relationship — the story was too great to pass up,” said Shaena Kershner, the Bills’ vice president of marketing. “They are adorable.
“It’s really the icing on the cake for them.”
“The icing on the wedding cake,” added Katie Jordan, the Bills’ director of event services.
The idea for a halftime wedding started by accident. In April, the NFL told teams to begin planning its “once in a lifetime” experience. It was revealed then that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was going to serve as the best man in a wedding.
Jeff Matthews, the Bills’ vice president of media and content, joked that the team should stage a wedding at halftime, since none of those activities was planned for the upcoming season.
Kershner’s response?
“I mean, we could,” she said this week with a laugh.
Matthews quickly realized what he had done. Other staffers were immediately on board, and the idea was pitched to team owner Kim Pegula, who quickly approved.
From there, the wedding planning began. The bride, her mother and her maid of honor will have their hair and makeup done in the fieldhouse before the game, while the groom and his best man are invited to attend the Bills’ “Legends” tailgate, which is expected to feature about 120 alumni members.
Some of those Bills legends will serve as the “bridal party,” and after the ceremony, the couple will watch the second half from a club suite. That’s where the first dance and cake cutting will take place. Reeds Jenss supplied $2,000 in custom wedding bands, and the couple will receive matching “bride” and “groom” Bills jerseys, a photo album and a video.
“It's a regular wedding,” Jordan said, “it just happens to be at New Era Field, and the ceremony is 14 minutes long in front of 70,000 people and streamed live so all our fans all over the world will get to watch it.”
Oh, one more thing. Former defensive tackle Kyle Williams will serve as the officiant. Williams previously presided over his sister’s wedding a few years ago, so the Bills asked him to lead Sunday’s ceremony as well.
When Williams agreed, Kershner said she was “shocked.”
Consider it all part of the “once in a lifetime” aspect of Park and Binggeli’s special day.
