Jon Bon Jovi superfan, Australian Branka Delic, always dreamed of one day walking down the aisle with her idol – and, it seems, she was correct, almost…
Though she didn’t end up marrying the rock heart-throb, she was successful in convincing him to walk her down the aisle when she married Gonzalo Cladera on October 12 at the very same Las Vegas chapel JBJ wed his own high-school sweetheart Dorothea 24 years ago.
Branka’s glorious day was the result of setting up bonjoviwalkmedowntheaisle.com, a website devoted to convincing Bon Jovi to make Branka’s big day by walking her down the aisle during her wedding ceremony.
“All her life, Branka thought she would marry Bon Jovi himself. Sadly, at the age of 34 she realised this would never happen, and she accepted Gonzo’s proposal instead,” she wrote on the website.
“She might not be marrying Bon Jovi, but the next best option is for her to walk down the same aisle he did 20 good strong years ago, so the stage has been set… The Graceland Chapel, Las Vegas Nevada.”
“In Branka’s mind, the wedding gods have come together because JBJ is performing at MGM Grand that same night. The only problem is there’s a real chance Branka will skip out on the wedding and go to the concert instead.”
Much to Branka’s shock, the 51-year-old father-of-four granted her request and, accompanied by the Elvis impersonator who presided over the nuptials, JBJ did end up walking her down the aisle.
He walked me down the aisle and he was trying to give me to Gonz, but I wouldn’t let go,’ Branka told the Hornsby Advocate. “I didn’t cry because I didn’t want to ruin my make-up and look awful.”
Initially, Branka and Gonzo didn’t know if Jon would grant their special wish, though, a few days before leaving Sydney for Las Vegas, JBJ’s Australian management hinted the star may just attend since he was performing in Las Vegas that day.
The long-awaited call finally came through as Branka was having her hair and make-up done.
‘I dropped the phone and said, “Get me in that dress now!”‘ she tells London’s Daily Mail. “‘You have never seen a bride get ready so quickly.”
However, she was still concerned that it was all an elaborate hoax even as they pulled up to the chapel and saw another limo waiting.
‘I said to Gonzo, “If this is some sick joke, I am going to cry.” Then I saw his silhouette in the limo. He got out and said, “Hey, you look beautiful.”‘
After the ceremony, the new Mrs Cladera tweeted “You did more than make my dream come true, you changed my life forever! An amazing man with an amazing generous heart.
“‘I have memories for life which I’ll never forget. Such an amazing man to take time from his schedule to come walk this crazy Aussie down the aisle… Jon….. I salute!”
And, gracious as ever, he responded on his website, “Congratulations @branksd! May you & Gonzalo have a lifetime of happiness, love & memories together – ALWAYS!’
