"I officially welcome everyone to Chick and Ruth's Delly and Wedding Chapel," he said.

And so began the first wedding held at the eclectic Main Street deli, an event Manager Laurie Carre, called "unique."

The ceremony began with both walking in the front door of Chick and Ruth's separately and walking down the narrow aisle of the first floor and up the stairs.

Mr. Papoi, 42, wearing a white dress shirt and khakis, was escorted by his daughter, Mackenzie, 15, while the then Ms. Pomphrey, wearing an orange beaded dress, was escorted by her father, Fred Goldstein.

At the end of the main ceremony, the couple also gave their children rings, a symbol of their coming together as a family. Mrs. Papoi, 37, has two sons from a previous marriage, Jordan, 5, and Jarred, 7.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Papoi, who have been together for "16 or 17 months" live in Baltimore, but had their first date in Annapolis, at Riordan's Saloon. The couple wanted to have a wedding in Annapolis because of the sentimental value the area holds for them and had been planning to get married at the justice of the peace and have a reception at Chick and Ruth's.

Upon the suggestion of Mrs. Papoi's mother, Penny Goldstein, however, the couple decided to get married at the deli, as well.

"They don't really care what people think," said Mackenzie while joking with new stepbrother, Jordan. She added that she was happy with the marriage, saying that her stepmother is "different than anyone else" and "fun."

Mr. Goldstein, was also pleased with the union, calling Mr. Papoi a "prince."

Friends of the couple agree they seem well-suited for each other, saying they complement each other well and are "very in love."

"They just have a love and zest for life," said Lynne Rochester, 57, of Columbia.

Mrs. Rochester and her husband, Dennis, 59, said they have known the couple for two years. Mr. Rochester and Mr. Papoi are partners in P R Family Medicine in Damascus.

Onlooker Dallas Browner, 63, of Staten Island, N.Y., said after seeing the wedding she thinks there should be more weddings at Chick and Ruth's, calling it "very unusual" and saying that she thought the "sweet" couple seemed to have a great sense of humor.

"We're a non-traditional family, so we decided to have a non-traditional ceremony," said Mrs. Papoi.

Before moving to Baltimore with Mr. Papoi, Mrs. Papoi lived in Anne Arundel County and knew the deli from being around Annapolis. Mr. Papoi lived in Michigan, although he said he is familiar with the deli from the semester he spent at the Naval Academy in college before transferring to the Air Force Academy.

The ceremony, however, was planned by the bride's mother, who knows deli Owner Ted Levitt because her husband used to be an electrician at the deli.

"We didn't plan anything," Mrs. Papoi said, laughing, "It was all her."

Chick and Ruth's, a local favorite, began in 1965. The small Main Street deli is known for its friendly atmosphere and giant sandwiches, most of which are named after politicians, ranging from the Dick Cheney (chicken salad on wheat toast) to the Martin O'Malley (roast beef, provolone, horserasdish and lettuce on rye to the County Executive John R. Leopold chicken soup.

While founders Chick and Ruth Levitt have passed away, the family business is being carried on through their son, Ted, who hopes to "continue to serve (the) usual fare of wholesome food, friendship, and lodging in the future."

And maybe host a few more weddings, as well.