More photos after the jump!

Chris Hodges and Jamie Case of San Francisco decided to get married. They sat down and began to plan out the big day, figuring out what was most important to them. They had also decided that they wanted their wedding to be about the importance of their commitment to each other rather than the festivities of it. But due to the economy, they wouldn’t be able to have the wedding they’d always envisioned, nor did they feel it was reasonable for their 100+ guests to spend so much money to travel out to attend.

That was when they thought back to an idea they joked about years ago: why not take the wedding to the guests instead? This six-week wedding road trip would consist of them visiting all their friends and family members that they would have invited to their nuptials, only enabling the couple to spend quality one-on-one time with them as opposed to the small-talk moments of a typical wedding. (And to appease their slightly disappointed parents, they agreed to end their trip in San Francisco and with a small ceremony and dinner on the beach).

Scott Monty the head of social media for Ford Motor Company, got wind of their story and comped them a 2010 Ford Fusion to take their road trip in–all they had to do was fly down to Los Angeles and pick it up, and the car was theirs. Jamie refers to the moment of meeting the Fusion, whom they decided to name “Roxy Fusion” as instant car love.

In fact, so enamored was the couple of their new Ford and of the company’s generosity in helping them take their wedding on the road, wife and husband both legally changed their surname to “Ford.” We’ve all known brand-loyalty diehards, but this takes it to a whole new level!

An interesting story indeed; I admit I was a bit skeptical at first but when I looked into it further, it looks to be very true and they even have a blog, “The Wedding Road Trip“.

Upon closer inspection I see that Ford has upped the ante on my little favorite by giving it 265hp, all-wheel drive and a sports suspension. They’ve also improved the interior as well by providing the driver with sport leather clad bucket seats, full navigation and a cool auto-stick (man… I could have used this baby last year).

Exterior wise a new front fascia with integrated fog lamps, 18″ wheels and rear dual exhaust really make for an aggressively styled package. Combine that with more interior and cargo room and it kinda makes one think twice about cars like the Subaru WRX, or Mitubishi Lancer.

Ford… if you are listening, YOU NEED TO GET ME A PRESS CAR!!! I want an all-wheel drive Fusion Sport to put through its paces. Believe me when I say that if it’s anywhere near as good as the one I drove last year, then the only thing you’ve done is take a great car and made it into an outrageous one… (but I can’t say that until I drive it) … hint, hint, hint…

1. Thanks for keeping the Mustang alive all these years. It’s an awesome car. And we all know that if wasn’t for the Mustang, we wouldn’t have the Challenger or Camaro.
2. Congrats on the awesome mileage figures for the Fusion Hyrbid.
3. The Ranger needs some love. Like, yesterday. Seriously, don’t let the Ranger die!
4. Why the hell haven’t you built the new Bronco yet?

Anything else I should tell them? Anything you want me to ask?

Let’s face it, part of the reason the Prius has been so successful is that it looks like the automotive equivalent of a Birkenstock. The Honda Civic Hybrid is just as good (maybe better) but hasn’t sold nearly as well. Why? Cause there is almost nothing to distinguish it from the regular Civic.

And part of the reason the Volt has been getting so much attention is that it looks so darn futuristic (well, the concept did, anyway—the production car looks pretty ho hum, and I would say some of the excitement has diminished as a result).

So I’m a little worried about the Ford Fusion Hybrid. It’s not hideously ugly, and it’s not terribly futuristic. It just looks kind of… normal. Oh, and gas is cheap again, which can’t help much, either.

What do you think?