Gym-goers in Canton, Ohio, became unsuspecting guests to a Massillon couple’s big day when the local Planet Fitness franchise made its debut as a wedding venue Thursday night.
The ceremony was held at 9 p.m., during the gym’s regular operating hours, giving patrons on treadmills and machines a front-row seat to the nuptials.
Sara Hatch and Keith Henderson exchanged vows they wrote themselves in front of a weight station decorated in white ribbon, with a close friend officiating.
The bride wore white athletic shorts and shoes with a white tank top, topped off with a gauzy veil. The groom sported a screen-printed tuxedo T-shirt.
Gym manager Donielle Belcher told CantonRep.com that the couple met at that location four years ago, making Planet Fitness very near and dear to their hearts.
Said Hatch, “This is where we met. This is where we fell in love. We still work out. We are into lifting. Why not get married in a gym if it’s one of our hobbies?”
“There is only going to be a handful of people here that we know,” said Henderson. “It was meant to be small.” Other guests included Hatch’s 13-year-old son and the minister’s husband.
“Why not?” said Belcher, living up to the gym’s trademark judgement-free philosophy. “We think it’s fun. You have to have some kind of excitement around sometime.”
