If you’ve ever dreamed of having a space wedding, now is the time to plan it. A Japanese firm, First Advantage, has opened reservations for space wedding ceremonies. The couple will spend several minutes floating in zero-gravity and exchange vows with up to three guests. They will be shot 60 miles into the sky and will spend about 240 million yen for the ceremony. The couple will most likely be able to see Earth, but they won’t be that far out to truly float.
The first space wedding took place in 2003, when Ekaterina Dmitriev, a Russian cosmonaut, married U.S. cosmonaut, Yuri Malenchenko. The couple tied the knot via video link from NASA’s headquarters in Houston, Texas. Malenchenko was aboard the International Space Station. The ceremony was recorded, and the couple exchanged vows via a video link. The couple was separated by approximately 400 kilometers, but were able to communicate by telephone.
The wedding was not without its challenges. Yuri’s mission was extended, but by then, he was in space. This made the wedding impossible to postpone, and Russian officials disapproved of the marriage. Despite the risks, Malenchenko and his bride Ekaterina were able to tie the knot in a civil ceremony on Earth, and the space wedding was broadcast as a private family conference. There were no wedding pictures of the ceremony, but a reconstructed video was released.
For those who dream of a wedding in space, the space balloon ride is one of the most unique ways to say “I do.” This Florida firm has created balloons that fly eight people 100,000 feet above the earth. An average commercial airplane cruises at around 33,000-42,000 feet. But the balloons of Space Perspective fly at approximately the same height and altitude as a commercial aeroplane. It’s a truly unique experience. The wedding can last a few hours, and it’s definitely an unforgettable experience.
However, the Russian Air Force’s Colonel General Vladimir Mikhailov argued that a cosmonaut must first get permission from the government and marry on the ground, rather than having the ceremony in space. Fortunately, Malenchenko disagreed with the Russian Air Force and married his NASA partner in Houston in July 2012.
Whether your wedding is an intimate event or a large gathering, a space wedding can be memorable. Raw spaces are often more sentimental, and they can reflect the personalities and love stories of the couple. If you’re unsure, it’s also worth hiring a wedding planner. If you don’t have the budget to hire a professional, a raw space might be the best option for you. Then, you can hire someone to decorate it for you.