WARREN — “Sometimes storms are blessings from God,” said the mother of a woman who wed Friday in Warren’s Courthouse Square as sleet turned to snow and fell on guests as the temperature plummeted to 27 degrees.

In the square’s gazebo, lit up with Christmas lights and decked in garland, Jose and Jaimie Robertson said their vows in front of about 50 family members and friends.

Karen Frantz said her daughter has always been unconventional and wanted her wedding to be a little different, too.

“It was her idea,” Jose said, pointing at his wife.

“We wanted the snow, we wanted something nice with our family,” Jaimie said. “When it stopped raining and started snowing … it was exactly what we wanted.”

The storm could be a good omen for the couple’s relationship, Frantz said. Mary Robertson, mother of the groom, said she and Jose’s father were married 27 years ago during a storm in January.

After the couple said the traditional marriage vows with Pastor Nick DeJacimo of Living Word Sanctuary in Southington, they left the cold for the warmth of live music, family, friends and food at The Lime Tree, a restaurant in the square where Jaimie works.

The couple entered to applause, with the bride’s curly hair frosted in white from the walk from the gazebo.

Friends for years before a romance bloomed, the couple said they just knew one day they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

“When you know, you know,” Jaimie said.

The couple originally planned to marry in March, but the lights in Courthouse Square caught her daughter’s attention, Frantz said.

“She wanted the Christmas lights up,” said Frantz, who gave her permission to Jose for the union and gave her daughter away along with Jaimie’s brother because the bride’s dad died two years ago.

“She always wanted her dad to give her away. But, she said all that matters is the people who love her and care about her are here. … God truly blessed the occasion.”

Steve Cuesta, the bride and groom’s brother-in-law, said the couple could have been married in the back of a “garbage truck,” and the family would have supported them.

“It is all about them and whatever they want. We are here to celebrate them,” said Cuesta, after warming his toddler’s hands with a heat pack.

rfox@tribtoday.com