Inside the Wedding Convention for Bikers
Photo: Amanda Hankerson, Lacey Criswell
Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, an annual bike convention held on Main Street of the small South Dakota town during the first full week of August. In addition to being one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the world, Sturgis is also a popular wedding destination, where more than 100 couples get married or renew their vows each year.
Over the past five years, wedding photographers Amanda Hankerson and Lacey Criswall have attended the rally and documented the leather-heavy nuptials (most ceremonies take place at the Sturgis Hitchin’ Post, an optical shop converted into a wedding chapel for the festivities). Click through the slideshow for a look at the rally’s more romantic side, including a Harley-Davidson corset and a spray-painted suit.
Additional reporting by Genie Castro.
Stephanie and Jason Olson Why did you choose Sturgis to get married?
We met at the Dragepipe Saloon five years ago and wanted to get married her...
Stephanie and Jason Olson Why did you choose Sturgis to get married?
We met at the Dragepipe Saloon five years ago and wanted to get married here during the rally.
How did you choose your fashions?
I wanted a white dress but not a long one that would get caught in the bike. Jason picked up a Sturgis 74th rally shirt on Main Street, so we have a souvenir from the rally. Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Stephanie and Jason Olson Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Lainey Fall Gatter and TJ Doyle "We're not married. We were just hanging out at the bar when Stephanie and Jason got married. We met last ye...
Lainey Fall Gatter and TJ Doyle "We're not married. We were just hanging out at the bar when Stephanie and Jason got married. We met last year at Sturgis and like to reunite to have fun."
Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Amy and Joe Starzedhi Their friends call them "Superstarz" — a combination of her job (she's a superintendent) and his last name.
Phot...
Amy and Joe Starzedhi Their friends call them "Superstarz" — a combination of her job (she's a superintendent) and his last name.
Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Amy and Joe Starzedhi's Ceremony Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Amy and Joe Starzedhi Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Carol and Debra Silvester Loo They almost got married in Las Vegas on the way to Sturgis but decided to wait. Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Cri...
Carol and Debra Silvester Loo They almost got married in Las Vegas on the way to Sturgis but decided to wait. Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
George F. and Dea Klier "We've been riding together for 15 years and wanted to renew our vows in a special place." Photo: Amanda Hanke...
George F. and Dea Klier "We've been riding together for 15 years and wanted to renew our vows in a special place." Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Janet Thompson Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Heinz Rose and Marie Woelki "We wanted to get married in a special place. We've been together for 11 years, and Heinz has been going to Stur...
Heinz Rose and Marie Woelki "We wanted to get married in a special place. We've been together for 11 years, and Heinz has been going to Sturgis for 30."
Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Eric and Sherry Gardner Why did you choose Sturgis to get married?
We love Harley and motorcycles.
How did you choose your fashions?
We chose ...
Eric and Sherry Gardner Why did you choose Sturgis to get married?
We love Harley and motorcycles.
How did you choose your fashions?
We chose black and orange because they are Harley's colors, and we are Harley people. Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Eric Gardner Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Eric and Sherry Gardner Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Koanne and Tom Babel Koanne and Tom's first date was their high-school prom. She gets body-painted every year at Sturgis.
Photo: Amanda Hankerso...
Koanne and Tom Babel Koanne and Tom's first date was their high-school prom. She gets body-painted every year at Sturgis.
Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Bull and Lizardo Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Rob Winston and Patti Peterson When Patti met Rob she switched from Harley to a Victory motorcycle. According to Rob, "Buying her a new bike...
Rob Winston and Patti Peterson When Patti met Rob she switched from Harley to a Victory motorcycle. According to Rob, "Buying her a new bike was cheaper than buying her a new wardrobe."
Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Rob Winston and Patti Peterson Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Rob Winston and Patti Peterson Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Adam and Lauren Ibarra-Ramos Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Jackie Herrow and Davei Kalewicz She wore a white Harley vest that she thought was bridal, along with purple flowers, to renew their vows.
Photo...
Jackie Herrow and Davei Kalewicz She wore a white Harley vest that she thought was bridal, along with purple flowers, to renew their vows.
Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Loren and Trina Vanderkinter Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
Larry and Rhonda Lunak Rhonda saved Larry's life. He was having a stroke when they met, and she called 911. He asked her to marry him in Sturgis....
Larry and Rhonda Lunak Rhonda saved Larry's life. He was having a stroke when they met, and she called 911. He asked her to marry him in Sturgis.
Photo: Amanda Hankerson; Lacey Criswell
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