# Southwest Airlines mid-flight ceremonial wedding

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/southwest-airlines-mid-flight-ceremonial-wedding
> Updated: 2026-08-26T08:29:10.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

On August 13, a Southwest Airlines flight crew organized an impromptu ceremonial wedding for two passengers, including Sara Arroyo Montalvo, who were traveling to Las Vegas to elope. 

During the flight at approximately 35,000 feet, the crew used onboard supplies to create wedding accessories, including a veil and dress made from toilet paper and a bouquet fashioned from coffee stir sticks. The aircraft’s captain, who is an ordained minister, officiated the ceremony over the public address system for approximately 178 witnesses. 

While the pilot has performed hundreds of weddings in his 30 years as a minister, the event was purely ceremonial, as pilots lack the legal authority to perform marriages while commanding an aircraft.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: Southwest Airlines crew hosts mid-flight wedding for couple

A Southwest Airlines crew organized a mid-air wedding for a couple flying to Las Vegas, with the pilot officiating the ceremony at 35,000 feet in front of 178 passengers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southwest-airlines-crew-hosts-mid-flight-wedding-for-couple

### 2026-08-21: Southwest Airlines crew performs ceremonial wedding mid-flight

Southwest Airlines crew members performed a ceremonial wedding for two passengers mid-flight using toilet paper for a dress and coffee stirrers for a bouquet.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southwest-airlines-crew-performs-ceremonial-wedding-mid-flight

---
Cite as: Southwest Airlines mid-flight ceremonial wedding. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/southwest-airlines-mid-flight-ceremonial-wedding