Michelle Moriarity
U. of Minnesota Daily
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (U-WIRE) - David Weinlick is getting married this month. In preparation for the big day, he selected a tuxedo, a venue for the ceremony, rings and groomsmen.
The only thing the 28-year-old University of Minnesota graduate student needs is a bride.
Because of his frustration with the age-old tradition of courting, Weinlick decided to marry by democratic process: His friends and family will vote for his bride on the wedding day.
"I think this process is well suited for me," he said. "Ultimately, dating is full of deception. I don't see the point of that."
Weinlick, tired of being asked when he was going to be married, picked a date about three years ago: June 13, 1998. But after two years passed, he was no closer to finding a mate.
As a result, Weinlick's friends organized the Campaign to Elect a Mrs. David Weinlick.
"This is something that needed to be tried," said Campaign Coordinator Steve Fletcher. "I think people are hungry for an alternative to the traditional courtship, marriage, divorce sequence that we all live through right now."
Weinlick's friends selected more than 25 potential brides. On the wedding day, friends and family will join Weinlick and the candidates at a barbecue and bridal mixer, where attendees will meet the potential brides-to-be. At 3 p.m. the wedding guests will select a bride and the ceremony.
"I think it's hilarious," said bridal candidate Mishelle Paullus, a nursing student. "But naturally I can't take this too seriously. It seems to me this is just a funny Dave publicity thing."
However, Weinlick and his friends said they are indeed serious in their intentions.
"I think you should be intrigued by a wedding," he said. "It'd be great if it got people to think about the concept of marriage."