Not everyone’s nuptials require city approval, but a couple in Overland Park got the official stamp as the city council approved a special event permit to include an elephant at wedding festivities.
City minutes from Aug. 18 noted the approval of “Special Event Permit No. 2014-374… to allow an elephant for wedding festivities at the Overland Park Marriott hotel on September 6, 2014.”
A news release from Nevada chaplain Rajan Zed thanked the city council for its approval on behalf of Hindus. Zed, who is president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, said it is traditional in Hindu weddings for the groom to ride a horse or elephant to the wedding location, joined by a procession of family and friends.
Zed’s statement “commended the Overland Park City Council for respecting the age old Hindu traditions by granting this permit.