The first “space wedding” took place in 2003 when Yuri Malenchenko, a Russian cosmonaut, married Ekaterina Dmitriev. The couple met at NASA headquarters in Houston, Texas, and married by video link. Malenchenko had flown to the United States 16 years earlier, and Dmitriev was waiting at NASA headquarters for him when he arrived. They later met again via video link, and the wedding was broadcast to the world.
The two planned to hold their wedding by video conference, and the entire event was broadcast on NASA television. The wedding was also celebrated with a bow tie and a wedding ring, which were delivered on a Progress cargo spacecraft. The wedding rings were identical, and were set in various shapes. As an added touch, Yuri was given the gift of a saxophone, which he played for the guests. The wedding was an unforgettable experience for all, and it captured the attention of the entire space station.
The Russian Mission Control Center initially objected to the couple’s decision, but relented after a friend of the couple said that the couple’s kids loved the wedding. However, the wedding transmission was classified as a private family conference and no state resources were allocated for the event. The wedding was broadcast via video link, and the best man, Yuri Malenchenko, performed a proxy marriage. The wedding took place at the same time as his friend’s funeral in Houston, but the couple did not renounce their U.S. citizenship. The couple married in Yaroslavl, Russia, and they have a daughter, Camilla.
The marriage also brought a host of controversy. The Russian Air Force’s commander, Colonel General Vladimir Mikhailov, objected to the idea, arguing that any active military officer must obtain permission before marrying a foreigner. Despite this objection, Malenchenko opted for the ceremony, which was held in Houston. However, the Russian Air Force said they would enforce the rules in future preflight contracts. Nevertheless, the space wedding became a wildly popular event.
After years of public backlash, space themed weddings have become a popular choice for a few reasons. The fact that space is so far away from Earth has many advantages. For one thing, it’s more affordable than Earth, and it can be held anywhere in the solar system. Another advantage is that no building permits will be required. The wedding can be broadcast live on a television station or radio transmitter. A space wedding on Mars is as romantic as a celestial destination and requires no building permits.
A space wedding is a truly unique experience. A unique ceremony in space can reflect the personalities and love stories of the couple, and it’s also affordable. And the ceremony will take place 100 kilometers above Earth’s surface. With the help of the Rocket Plane XP, couples can have their space wedding. The couple will be flown up in a chartered rocket plane. Couples can choose the premium plan, which includes an original wedding dress, two other guests, and a priest, plus a live broadcast on a space-based website.