Mayor Bell officiates 4th wedding as Martinez, bride wed in council chambers

Toledo city council member Adam Martinez and his fiance, Alexis DeAnda are married in council chambers by Toledo mayor Mike Bell on October 11, 2012.

The Blade/Jetta Fraser
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Alexis DeAnda Martinez, Toledo mayor Mike Bell, and Adam Martinez, thank guests in city council chambers at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Thursday, for the first time, Adam Martinez admitted to having butterflies in his stomach before going into Toledo City Council chambers.

The first-term councilman wasn’t heading down to a boring hearing or a contentious debate. He was on his way to his nuptials.

PHOTO GALLERY: Martinez wedding

Mr. Martinez and his bride, Alexis DeAnda, were wed by Mayor Mike Bell, who officiated a wedding for the fourth time since taking office.

“It meant a lot to get married today on our nine-year anniversary,” Mr. Martinez said with a huge smile.

His wife, Ms. DeAnda Martinez, corrected him. “It’s the nine-year anniversary of our first kiss,” she said.

The couple hadn’t thought of the peculiar date that attracted others to tie the knot Thursday: 10/11/12.

“I guess that’s just a bonus,” Mr. Martinez said.

They both said it meant a lot to have the mayor conduct the ceremony.

Mr. Martinez said he was initially worried politics could overshadow the event, especially given the growing divide between the mayor and council over executive pay ranges.

“At the end of the day, this wasn’t about politics,” he said. “It was about a relationship.”

Mayor Bell agreed that politics wouldn’t spoil the event.

“I think Adam is a great person and so is Alexis and I just wish them well,” he said.

Clerk of Council Gerry Dendinger said he couldn’t recall a wedding ever being held in council chambers, on the first floor of Government Center.

The brief ceremony was witnessed by dozens of family members from both families. Mayor Bell is authorized under state law to conduct weddings.

Guadalupe Dienda, father of the bride, walked his daughter down the center aisle of the room to her waiting groom and Mayor Bell. “I am very happy for them,” Mr. Dienda said after the ceremony. “All that counts is that they are happy.”

The couple exchanged rings and vows during the ceremony.

They plan to hold a more traditional Catholic wedding Saturday at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church on South Saint Clair Street.