KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Fans at Kauffman Stadium on Monday afternoon got more than a ring ceremony and the chance to see a 2014 American League championship banner hoisted to the sky.
They got chance to partake in a Royal wedding. Literally.
Royals fans Jeff Huerter and Nickie Roark, both of nearby Lenexa, Kan., tied the knot in Lot G at the Truman Sports Complex before Opening Day. The happy couple hosted their tailgate wedding ceremony -- and celebratory reception, complete with 40-odd smoked turkey legs -- across the street from The K and adjacent to one of the end zones at Arrowhead Stadium.
"We have a party every year for Opening Day," Huerter told FOXSportsKansasCity.com during the Royals' season-opening game with the Chicago White Sox.
"So we thought, 'You know what? We're going to be here, her sister will be here for her first Opening Day, and all of my good friends will be there,' and I figured my family will come if we do this. We just decided, 'Let's do it in the Chiefs' lot.' And she smiled brightly and was all for it."
Even the couples' attire suited the venue:
@huerterlicious & I will suit up in these @Royals jerseys to tie the knot at the K on #OpeningDay2015 #ARoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/77PYMMhRuZ
— Jeff Huerter (@HurtmanJeff) March 30, 2015
The ceremony -- the bridegroom wore a white boutonniere painted with baseball stitching across the petals -- was performed by Matt Cullen, one of Huerter's closest friends.
"I called him up and said, 'Hey, we're getting married on Opening Day,' and he said, 'You know what? I could do the service,'" Huerter said. "So he went online and joined a church and did all that good stuff, so that it's all completely legal."
Legal and delicious:
Tell me those don't look superb!! pic.twitter.com/rTGnqqzDPC
— Jeff Huerter (@HurtmanJeff) April 6, 2015
"She's a very cool chick," Huerter said, nodding toward his new bride as they sat, glowing, in the left-field bleachers. "I'm lucky."
You can follow Sean Keeler on Twitter at @SeanKeeler or email him at seanmkeeler@gmail.com.
