'Stranger Things' star Joe Keery on why he officiated wedding as Steve

Joe Keery officiates as Steve Harrington

"Stranger Things" actor Joe Keery recently explained why he officiated a California wedding while dressed as his character Steve Harrington in the Scoops Ahoy sailor uniform from season 3 of the series. A video of the ceremony went viral online, prompting questions about why he appeared in full costume to marry the couple.

Reason for the Steve costume

Keery clarified that the event was a Halloween-themed, costume wedding organized by his close friends Matt Williams and Veronica Capaldi in Simi Valley, California. The bride suggested that, since it was a Halloween costume celebration, he should come as Steve, and he agreed to officiate in the original Scoops Ahoy outfit from the show.

Context and fan reaction

Footage shared on social media shows Keery under a floral or garden arbor in the sailor outfit, reading from a paper and pronouncing the couple husband and wife. Online reactions praised the moment, with fans calling it “legend behavior” and noting how fitting it was for him to bring his beloved character into a real-life celebration.

Keery’s comments on the look

Keery emphasized that many guests were also in costume, even if some photos made it seem like he was the only one dressed up next to a formally clothed couple. He joked that the Scoops Ahoy outfit felt tighter than when he originally wore it for nearly a year of filming season 3, and recalled how the show’s creators insisted he keep the full look because “the whole thing is a look.”

Connection to Stranger Things

The Scoops Ahoy uniform is iconic for fans because Steve wears it while working at the mall ice cream shop, where he teams up with Robin Buckley to decode secret Russian messages. Keery continues to portray Steve Harrington in the final season of "Stranger Things," maintaining the character’s strong connection with audiences that made the wedding appearance so notable.

“By the power vested in me by the state, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Keery declared during the outdoor ceremony, wearing the full Scoops Ahoy sailor outfit.

Author’s summary

Joe Keery turned a themed Halloween wedding into a pop‑culture moment, honoring his friends’ request while playfully leaning into the enduring appeal of Steve Harrington’s Scoops Ahoy era.

USA TODAY on MSN — 2025-11-29