The life of Mike Baron, who was tragically widowed in early 2007, took a turn for the better later last year when he met Ann Fisher at a motorcycle show. Their friendship blossomed into love and their love found its expression in marriage on October 10, 2009, at the home of a friend in Fort Collins.

If I still remembered how to do journalism properly I’d have everyone’s names in these photos. But all I can tell you is that the gentleman on the far left gave away the bride (I think he’s a step-brother), the bride should be easy to spot, the guy in the middle (who said he was not a minister but is descended from ministers) did the officiating, that’s Mike second from right, and the guy in the far right is a science-fiction writer who introduced himself to me but I’ll be damned if I can remember his name now.

The couple wrote their own vows, which in Mike’s case as one might expect were pretty silly, but poignant. Here the couple share a laugh in their first minute as husband and wife.

Mike’s long-time creative partner Steve Rude, his wife Jaynelle, and the Rude Brood drove up from Phoenix for the event. Here, Mike and Steve pose for the ever-present wedding paparazzi. (Those unfamiliar with this duo, who created the legendary sci-fi-adventure comic NEXUS, should educate themselves by ordering collections of the work via RudeDude Productions. Steve Rude is a giant among cartoonists, in more ways than one.)

And of course, no Mike Baron event is complete without a visit from The King of Rock & Roll. The King paid his respects to the happy couple before wandering around the reception and schmoozing with all the ladies. (He was a bit shorter than I remember but being dead for 25 years will do that to a fella.)