Identical Twins, Separated as Toddlers, Marry on the Same Day, Same Chapel in Vegas
Las Vegas - At first, the wedding chapel receptionist thought it was a practical joke. "But you were just married here a few hours ago to someone else," she recalls protesting.
What Lydia Martinez, the receptionist at the Blue Heaven Chapel just off Vegas' famed gambling strip, didn't realize was that two brothers, identical twins separated when they were three years old, were both - unbeknownst to each other - getting married on the very same day, at the very same chapel, in the very same city.
"Eric and his bride came in the morning and had a beautiful ceremony," Ms. Martinez reports. "Around 4 p.m., James and a different bride showed up, wanting to be married."
Eric and James Rodale, both 27 years old, had not seen each other since their parents separated in a bitter divorce in 1984. The Rodale brothers are identical brown-eyed, 5-feet 10-inch tall, huskily built siblings. Both have receding hairlines and dimpled ear lobes.
"At first, I thought James was joking, then when I realized he was serious, he thought I was joking," says Ms. Martinez, who has worked at the chapel for four years. "I had to show James digital copies of Eric's wedding photos before we all realized something truly unique was underway."
Since Eric Rodale and his bride, Jill, had registered with them and mentioned that they were staying at the nearby Luxor hotel, Ms. Martinez was able to reach the newlyweds by phone. Indeed, Eric and Jill returned to the chapel to witness James and his bride, Shelley, become man and wife.
James told Ms. Martinez that he knew his brother lived somewhere in Missouri, but had never been able to locate him. Eric, who lives in Michigan, said that he, too, had searched in vain to locate James. The brothers' parents are both still alive, although they've not spoken in nearly a quarter center.
Ms. Martinez says she has heard about various coincidences that arise surrounding Vegas weddings, but never one this bizarre. Above her desk, now, hangs a photo of the two Rodale brothers and their brides, alongside the photo of Liberace who once attended a wedding at the Blue Heaven Chapel.
"They may not be as famous as Liberace," Ms. Martinez says. "But no doubt they are even more rare.
What Lydia Martinez, the receptionist at the Blue Heaven Chapel just off Vegas' famed gambling strip, didn't realize was that two brothers, identical twins separated when they were three years old, were both - unbeknownst to each other - getting married on the very same day, at the very same chapel, in the very same city.
"Eric and his bride came in the morning and had a beautiful ceremony," Ms. Martinez reports. "Around 4 p.m., James and a different bride showed up, wanting to be married."
Eric and James Rodale, both 27 years old, had not seen each other since their parents separated in a bitter divorce in 1984. The Rodale brothers are identical brown-eyed, 5-feet 10-inch tall, huskily built siblings. Both have receding hairlines and dimpled ear lobes.
"At first, I thought James was joking, then when I realized he was serious, he thought I was joking," says Ms. Martinez, who has worked at the chapel for four years. "I had to show James digital copies of Eric's wedding photos before we all realized something truly unique was underway."
Since Eric Rodale and his bride, Jill, had registered with them and mentioned that they were staying at the nearby Luxor hotel, Ms. Martinez was able to reach the newlyweds by phone. Indeed, Eric and Jill returned to the chapel to witness James and his bride, Shelley, become man and wife.
James told Ms. Martinez that he knew his brother lived somewhere in Missouri, but had never been able to locate him. Eric, who lives in Michigan, said that he, too, had searched in vain to locate James. The brothers' parents are both still alive, although they've not spoken in nearly a quarter center.
Ms. Martinez says she has heard about various coincidences that arise surrounding Vegas weddings, but never one this bizarre. Above her desk, now, hangs a photo of the two Rodale brothers and their brides, alongside the photo of Liberace who once attended a wedding at the Blue Heaven Chapel.
"They may not be as famous as Liberace," Ms. Martinez says. "But no doubt they are even more rare.
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