hunterbishop.com

Yuko Iwamura and Scott Schuett planned to be married on Dec. 9 in Puna but each minister they called was already booked for the Pahoa Christmas Parade. So they built themselves a float, entered the parade and were married Saturday in front of the judge's stand.

The newlyweds and baby on their wedding float>

Scot, 35, said they've been working on the idea for about a week. Yuko, 33, carried Gautoma, their one-year-old daughter, along with them on the float. "We're really doing it for her," he said. The family lives in Kapoho.

Ordained Church of Realized Fantasies minister Aaron Anderson performed the ceremony while the parade came to a brief stop. Well-wishers tossed noni seeds for good luck and prosperity. Witnesses were many.

And not only did they win each other's heart. The judges named their float winner of the parade's Grand Prize.

(I've got many more photos of the parade and hoolaulea at Pahoa High that I'll try to have posted later today or tomorrow. I'm still hoping to get down to Keeau's parade this p.m.  -Hunter )