Area couple Garry Laugerude and Jennifer Spain made their wedding dreams come true with their favorite science fiction show, “Doctor Who”

By Trey Mewes, photos by Christine Schorn Photography

If each wedding becomes a story in the end, Jennifer Spain and her husband, Garry Laugerude, made their wedding a good one.

The blue of Spain’s dress was designed to match the T.A.R.D.I.S., after all. And Laugerude channeled his inner doctor with a beanie cap in a fine tuxedo. The sonic screwdrivers, the Daleks, even the bananas (Whovians always take bananas to a party) became part of their story.

That’s what Spain and Laugerude wanted, after all. As fervent fans of the BBC show “Doctor Who,” they knew they wanted to make their wedding memorable. With a “Doctor Who”-themed wedding, their dreams came true.

“It was wonderful,” Spain said.

Spain and Laugerude got married last October inside the Hormel Historic Home after a five-year relationship and a lot of “Doctor Who” episodes. Laugerude wasn’t a big fan of the show for a long time — “Doctor Who” fans are known to be somewhat rabid about their passion, and it can be a little daunting to try and understand a science fiction TV show that started in the 1960s.

Yet that didn’t stop Spain, who loved the show since she was a child, from convincing Laugerude to share her hobbies.

“He really got into it, so now he’s a total whovian,” she said with a laugh.

A little planning

When Laugerude first asked Spain to marry him two years before their wedding, they weren’t sure what kind of theme they wanted to plan their big day. Spain and her mother, Kari Soderberg, had seen “Doctor Who”-themed weddings on the Internet and social media before, so both thought it would be great fun to plan one of Spain’s own.

Spain already knew what kind of dress she wanted, and the couple already had a sonic screwdriver (a tool the Doctor uses) or two lying around.

“All we really needed was a lot of clocks and some time stuff,” she said. “You can come up with a time theme really easily.”

Spain and Laugerude knew they needed a little help putting everything together, so they asked area designers to assist in planning the themed wedding. Of course, the designers were excited, because they loved “Doctor Who.” They even found a local minister, Naomi Thompson, who was also a Whovian.

“Everybody we met was like, “Oh my gosh, I love Dr. Who! I would love to be a part of this!” Spain said.

Soderberg planned out much of the wedding to help her daughter, much to Spain’s delight. Soderberg was able to coordinate every little Who detail from the cake to a full-sized T.A.R.D.I.S. police box the couple used for guests entering their wedding and reception.

“All of the bulletins and all of the programs, and all of the invitations, everything was Dr. Who themed,” Soderberg said.

Spain was grateful to put much of the wedding in her mother’s hands, which helped the wedding “come out just beautifully.” A key part of the wedding experience, according to Spain, is to simply relax and enjoy the moments.

“I did, and it was amazing,” she said.

The special day

Of course, nothing could match the wedding day. Laugerude channeled actor Matt Smith’s interpretation of the 11th Doctor, while Spain’s father dressed as the 12th Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi.

In fact, more than half of the 60 or so guests went as “Doctor Who” characters, from a ring bearer dressed as a Dalek to various friends who showed up in their finest cosplay of treasured “Doctor Who” characters.

“Over half of my guest list was like, ‘Dude, I’ve just been waiting to do something like this,’” Spain said.

The October day was crisp and sunny, perfect for the fall wedding photos and memories Laugerude and Spain wanted to make. Laugerude waited inside the T.A.R.D.I.S. set up at the entrance of the HHH before he came out, took Spain’s hand and led her to the alter. In front of friends and family, Laugerude and Spain were married, mad people with a box.

The family said the HHH was perfect for their needs and a great place to hold weddings. In fact, everything ended up being perfect for the married couple.

“It was just amazing,” Spain said.