Court Bathroom Becomes Make-do Wedding Chapel For NJ Couple

FREEHOLD, NJ — It was supposed to be a simple wedding: Stand in front of the judge, say the vows and be on their way.

But life has a funny way of turning simple plans upside down, and Brian and Maria Schulz's simple wedding is getting widespread attention as a result.

The couple, from Ocean Township in Monmouth County, had gone to the Monmouth County Courthouse recently to be married, according to a post on Facebook by the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

Their mothers had joined the couple as witnesses, the post said.

As the Schulzes were preparing to say their vows before Superior Court Judge Katie Gummer, however, Brian Schulz's mother began having trouble breathing and thought she was having an asthma attack in the courthouse.

"Sheriff’s officers assisted in administering oxygen to the mom in the ladies bathroom and called EMTs to take her to the hospital," the post said.

This caused a dilemma for the couple: They were very worried about Brian's mother, but postponing the wedding would mean they would have to wait 45 days for a new marriage license to be processed, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's officers, meanwhile, did not want Brian's mother to move from the women's bathroom.

"That's when Sheriff's Officer Leonard Maxfield kicked his thinking into high gear: Why not get married in the ladies' room?"

The Schulzes agreed and so did Gummer, who performed the rather unusual ceremony.

The sheriff's office said Brian Schulz's mother and the couple were "doing great" and were appreciative of the efforts to make their day memorable and special.

"#SheriffGolden and the #MCSONJ commend all for a great job in pulling this off and congratulate the newlyweds!" the sheriff's ofice wrote.

See video of the ceremony here:

Photo from wedding video taken by the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, used with permission