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Friends and family of Lapeer County Sheriff's Department deputy Clark Arnold thought they were saying good-bye at a retirement party Saturday. Instead the 140 guests at the American Legion Hall attended the surprise wedding of Jackie Clair and Arnold.

"It was great, sort of like eloping, but having everyone there," said Arnold. "No one knew we planned to be married, not even family. The only ones that knew were Judge Nick Holowka, his secretary Ann Snoblen, and County Clerk Marlene Bruns."

Arnold and the former Jackie Clair, who have been engaged for two years, began talking about an impromptu ceremony in January. Arnold is well known in the county complex building having been assigned to courthouse security for 11 years. He pulled a few strings.

"Clark comes in, and comes to my side and asked, 'Would you give me the honor of marrying me and Jackie?'" said Circuit Court Judge Nick Holowka.

Holowka said he'd be honored but needed special authorization; circuit court judges can grant divorces, but aren't allowed to marry people. He and Snoblen, who arranged the paperwork, kept their vow of secrecy.

"We didn't tell anyone," said Holowka. "I brought my robe along, but didn't put it on until two minutes to the 6 p.m. ceremony."

Arnold also enlisted the help of Bruns; the couple needed a wedding license.

"He called me about a month ago," Bruns said. "He asked me if I could keep it a secret and I said 'yes'".

Bruns didn't even pass on the plans to her husband, retired Almont Police Chief Gene Bruns.

"I couldn't tell Gene," Bruns said. "Everyone knows he can't keep a secret."

Friends of the couple, who have been dating for five years, knew they'd eventually tie the knot. But the surprise will make the day unforgettable to many of the guests.

"We showed up at 6 p.m. and walked into a wedding," said Lapeer County Sheriff's Lt. Gary Parks. "It was a surprise for us. You could tell most people were surprised. That's what made it fun."

"It was nicely done," said Lapeer City Police Lt. Dave Frisch. "Judge Holowka did a nice job officiating the service. There were a lot of surprised people there, especially family members from both Clark's and his bride's side."

"It was cool," said Lapeer County Undersheriff Bob Rapson. "It was fun to watch the family and the look of bewilderment on their faces."

Best man Chase Arnold, Clark's son, only found out moments before when he was handed two rings. Jackie's oldest daughter Aubrey Clair began to cry when she was asked to be her mother's maid of honor.

"The funniest part of it is that people had to pay to come to a wedding," said Arnold, referring to the usual charge to attend retirement parties. "I wish we would have had a video scanning everyone when Judge Holowka announced it was going to be a wedding."

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com