Couple's Wedding Day Takes Hilarious Turn After Bride Books DMV Instead of Courthouse

The bride jokingly told onlookers, "Thanks so much for coming" after the mix-up.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Marki and Ben Sammon, both 27, planned for a civil ceremony at a courthouse in Minneapolis on January 26, but mistakenly booked the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) instead. The couple handled the unexpected venue change with humor, and the wedding photographer captured the amusing moment on video.

Why it matters

This story highlights the common confusion around the logistics of civil wedding ceremonies, and how unexpected moments can make a wedding day even more memorable. The couple's ability to laugh off the mix-up showcases the importance of flexibility and a positive attitude on one's wedding day.

The details

When the couple arrived at the Midtown Exchange building in Minneapolis, they realized they had booked the DMV instead of the courthouse. The wedding photographer, Katie Carlson, said "It was genuinely an honest mistake" and that the bride later joked, "I wish it was a funnier story - I honestly just didn't realize what I was doing." Despite the mix-up, the couple went through with the ceremony as planned, with the bride jokingly telling onlookers "Thanks so much for coming" as they left.

  • On January 26, 2026, Marki and Ben Sammon planned to get married in a civil ceremony at a courthouse in Minneapolis.
  • On the day of their wedding, January 26, 2026, the couple realized they had mistakenly booked the local DMV instead of the courthouse.

The players

Marki Sammon

The 27-year-old bride who accidentally booked the DMV instead of the courthouse for her wedding ceremony.

Ben Sammon

The 27-year-old groom who got married to Marki Sammon at the unexpected DMV venue.

Katie Carlson

The 27-year-old wedding photographer and videographer who captured the couple's hilarious mix-up.

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What they’re saying

“It was genuinely an honest mistake. The bride's mom and I later joked that we both asked people upstairs where we were supposed to go, and were told the DMV downstairs. We were confused, but didn't question it — we just rolled with it. The bride later joked, 'I wish it was a funnier story — I honestly just didn't realize what I was doing.'”

— Katie Carlson, Wedding Photographer and Videographer (PEOPLE)

“As we were leaving, the bride, Marki, said to several people who were congratulating them, 'Thanks so much for coming.'”

— Katie Carlson, Wedding Photographer and Videographer (PEOPLE)

What’s next

The couple laughed off the wedding mishap and still went through with the ceremony as planned.

The takeaway

This story showcases how unexpected and humorous moments can make a wedding day even more memorable, and highlights the importance of flexibility and a positive attitude when things don't go exactly as planned.