{"id":270050,"date":"2011-02-18T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-02-18T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sdnews.com\/eloping-military-couples-can-run-away-for-free\/"},"modified":"2011-02-18T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2011-02-18T08:00:00","slug":"eloping-military-couples-can-run-away-for-free","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.sdnews.com\/es\/eloping-military-couples-can-run-away-for-free\/","title":{"rendered":"Eloping military couples can run away for free"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rev. Christopher Tuttle wanted to be in the military since he was a little boy. Because of an eye defect, however, he has had to live vicariously through his various philanthropic efforts, such as donations to the Semper Fi fund, Toys for Tots, United Way and “Adopt-a-Soldier.” And for about eight years now, he has been giving through his own version of charity \u2014 free elopement ceremonies for servicemen and women. Calling his service “Military Mondays,” Tuttle performs his ceremonies in areas around San Diego, including La Jolla. On Feb. 7, Tuttle and the couple he was marrying allowed the La Jolla Village News to witness their private ceremony on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Coast Boulevard Park. “I always planned on having an elopement,” said bride Amy Raikoglo (now Amy Grant). “It\u2019s more special. It\u2019s just me and him. It\u2019s more personal.” Her now-husband, Scott Grant, agreed: “I don\u2019t want anyone I don\u2019t care for at my wedding. It\u2019s for us, not anyone else.” The couple, who live in Temecula, had another reason to celebrate. Feb. 7, their wedding day, was also Scott\u2019s 23rd birthday. They plan to have a larger reception, but not until Scott, a Petty Officer 3rd Class in the Navy, returns from his deployment to the Arabian Gulf, in seven months. Tuttle enlists the help of wedding vendors for donations of flowers and photography at his ceremonies. Photographer Richard Santini, of RHS Photo, took pictures at the Grants\u2019 ceremony. He said he donates his services because of his own bad elopement experience. “I got screwed by my photographer at my elopement,” he said. “Not one of our photos turned out, so when Christopher approaches me for one of these, I don\u2019t even hesitate.” Florist Katrina O\u2019Donnell, who brought a bouquet for the bride, said she was grateful for the opportunity to give back. “You get to make someone\u2019s day,” she said. “Not everyone has the budget for a huge event, but everyone deserves that dream wedding.” The ceremony, attended by a handful of friends and family, was simple and personal. Tuttle gave the couple a recipe for marriage, with ingredients such as trust, awareness, understanding, friendship and love. Tears flowed liberally from both the audience \u2014 which consisted of about five people \u2014 and the couple, who exchanged their own personal vows. When they went in for the kiss, bride and groom burst out laughing through their tears as Amy\u2019s veil fell off her head. “Look at my office. It\u2019s quite an alternative to a County Clerk\u2019s Office or a trip to Vegas with Elvis,” Tuttle said, gesturing at the scenery. “If I don\u2019t book a military couple on a Monday, it just means I have a day off. So far, I haven\u2019t had any days off.” For more information on Tuttle\u2019s services, call (619) 66-ELOPE or go to www.freemilitaryelopement.com.