A Whirlwind Waitsburg Wedding

WAITSBURG – Sometimes, there's simply no time like the present, even when it comes to getting married. Fortunately, Historical Society member Anita Baker was up for a bit of spontaneity when Brain Pendleton and Darchelle Worley gave her a call last Friday to ask if they could get married in the Bruce House Museum – in a couple of hours.

Anita was glad to accommodate and even played "Here Comes the Bride" on the antique parlor organ as the bride made her entrance. Anita said the ceremony was a short 30 minutes, which was ideal, since the house hadn't been heated and it was about 27 degrees outside.

The Times spoke with the Seattle newlyweds, Brian and Darchelle, to learn just how the whirlwind wedding came about.

Brian said the couple has been engaged since June but hadn't made any specific plans until last month. Brian said he suffers from ALS, and his symptoms have increased, making it difficult to perform tasks like getting dressed.

"I knew I needed to either hire her or marry her so she could help me," he said, laughing.

The couple wanted Darchelle's parents, Richard and Donna Worley of Walla Walla, to be involved, so they got a marriage license and attempted to lure the Worleys to Seattle under false pretenses. Having run several half-marathons with Richard, Brian asked him to come run the Seattle half-marathon with him on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

"Darchelle and I met and became friends while running marathons together", Brian said. "Seattle is our hometown marathon so it holds special significance for us. We thought it would be fitting to run the marathon together then get married at the finish."

Richard declined the invitation, which led Brian and Darchelle to Plan B – a Thanksgiving visit to Walla Walla.

On Thanksgiving evening, the couple surprised Richard and Donna, who didn't yet know of the engagement, with the news of their impending wedding. The Worleys agreed to be witnesses and the race was on to coordinate a ceremony before Brian and Darchelle's return to Seattle on Saturday.

At about 11 a.m. Friday morning, after several failed attempts, Darchelle found an officiant in Kennewick who was willing to rearrange her schedule to perform the ceremony between one and three that afternoon – they just weren't sure where. Now they had to find a venue.

The couple loves to travel and enjoys historic buildings so Darchelle began searching the National Historic Register.

"When I came across the picture of the Bruce House I just knew that was it!" she said.

Brian called the number listed online and reached Anita, who was willing to open the Bruce House for them. The wedding was planned for 2:30 p.m.

Brian said the foursome drove over from Walla Walla, taking photo after photo of the "gorgeous" snow-covered hills and playing "The Wedding March" and "Ride of the Valkries" all the way.

When they entered the Bruce House they immediately noticed two photographs hung to the right of the entryway. The photographs were housed in frames identical to a set Donna had given to Darchelle the night before.

"I think that was kind of a sign for her," Brian said.

"It was really a perfect venue. It was a wonderful spot and there was even a wedding dress in the parlor," Brian added. "I can't believe you don't do weddings there all the time," he added.

"It was a lot of fun," Anita said. "Maybe other people will want to get married in an antique house, also."