The announcement that crackled over the loudspeaker on Saturday afternoon hinted at the excitement brewing under a tent east of the city.
"All the grooms participating in the festivities," a voice called out, "please assemble in the tent so we can get going."
After a brief pause, the voice added a clue about the location: "Parts, Line 2. Parts, Line 2."
Brides and bikes came together on Saturday as Grove's Harley-Davidson hosted its inaugural Matrimony Day. Three newlywed couples joined three couples renewing their vows in a mass ceremony at the dealership on Millwood Pike.
The brides sported everything from traditional white gowns to blue jeans, blue undershirts, and leather Harley vests. The grooms opted for informal attire, with Todd Link donning a multi-colored Harley beanie topped with a propeller.
Darryl Windham and Sally Brown of Strasburg, Fred Boutwell and Sandra Miller of Bealeton, and Barry Duke of Martinsburg, W.Va., and Tammy Popella of Blairsville, Penn., tied the knot in a brief ceremony attended by about 75 people.
Mark and Stacy Haines of Stephenson, Nelson and Theresa Scott of Aldie, and Todd and Susan Link of Capon Springs, W.Va., renewed their vows.
Motorcycles with beer cans tied to the rear fenders with twine awaited the couples' departure in the parking lot. The Links took a spin on a 1973 FHL Dresser, a bike that belonged to Todd's late father.
Mark Haines shared that he and his wife of 18 years decided to participate as an anniversary celebration. They were married on June 5, 1993.
"We thought it would be really cool to do it because we're both Harley enthusiasts," he said. "Anything Harley, I'll be a part of it."
True to form, Mark and Stacy planned to head to Shenandoah Harley-Davidson in Staunton for the "Rally in the Valley" after the festivities, with a honeymoon in the city overnight.
Susan Link was a surprise bride.
Her husband, Todd, works in the dealership's parts and accessories department, and their 25th anniversary is in October. He dropped a hint, and Barbara Grove, president of the dealership, picked it up and ran with it.
"He jokingly said to me last Saturday that his 25th anniversary was coming up," Grove recalled, "and he'd never gotten married on company time before."
Grove led the brides to the tent with a bouquet in her hand. Once all five had walked down the aisle, she started down, then stopped and asked Susan Link to help her. When they reached officiant Joe McGreevy, Grove handed her the bouquet and her husband stepped out from behind the other grooms to greet her.
That was just the first surprise.
Sally Brown's son, Sidney Jarrell, had his girlfriend, Taisha Bailey, come up front. He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.
"Has anybody got a tissue?" Brown asked as Bailey shook while putting on the engagement ring.
Afterward, the couple said they were unsure whether they'd wait to tie the knot in hopes Grove would hold the event again next year.
Grove noted that Harley weddings used to be part of the block parties she held on the Loudoun Street Mall, with couples marrying on the steps of the Old Court House Civil War Museum. The last such event was likely in 1999, and she decided it was time to revive the tradition.
The dealership covered the costs for the event, which included a reception with champagne and cupcakes.
As surprised as she was by the second wedding, Susan Link saw an opportunity. When asked if Todd now had to give her two anniversary gifts every year, she quickly said, "Yes," then added, "I need a gold medal."
McGreevy closed the ceremony with an enthusiastic, if unnecessary, directive to the couples.
"Now go out," he said, "and share the wind."