Space weddings have been popular for many years. In fact, the most popular wedding month in 2022 was October, with the couple getting married in space. However, when the space shuttle Columbia disaster occurred 16 minutes before landing, seven crew members died.
In 2007, Malenchenko was one of the first to be assigned to the International Space Station (ISS). He went on five missions and clocked 827 days and nine hours in orbit. He holds the rank of second longest-serving Russian cosmonaut. He also holds the highest award from Russia. Despite this, Malenchenko had trouble planning a wedding. His career was predicted to be over when he got married, and he and his bride were not given the chance to delay their marriage.
Ekaterina Dmitriev and Yuri Malenchenko became a celebrity after they got married. They performed their wedding on a video link from the ISS. The groom delivered a ring to the ISS on a Progress cargo spacecraft, but his family would not be able to see the ceremony. The wedding was a proxy marriage, and Yuri’s formal flight uniform was on. The bride wore a classic wedding dress. Her ring was set in precious stones in gold.
Before the ceremony, Malenchenko and his bride were issued a marriage license by Russian officials. The couple met as lab partners at Georgia Tech. In their wedding, the bride wore Disney’s 2022 Snow White Bridal Gowns Platinum Collection. She was adorned with apple blossoms and sequin appliques. The wedding officiant played the “Wedding March” by Mendelssohn. Ed Lu was her best man.
As soon as Malenchenko got back to Earth in October, he saw his bride for the first time. Luckily, he had a friend who had stood in for him at Houston’s airport. He then hopped on an airplane to visit his bride. He blew a kiss to her, and he said a few words of congratulations. They then had lunch together. Afterward, Malenchenko and his family went to the Russian Aerospace Agency.
While Malenchenko and his wife were planning their space wedding, a Russian friend told them their kids loved the experience. But when it came time to plan their actual wedding, the Russian Aerospace Agency refused to permit it. They asked Malenchenko to postpone the wedding, but he said he could not. This was because his mission was still underway. He would have to complete it before he would be allowed to get married.
Yuri Malenchenko was not happy about this. He wanted to marry his bride, but the Aerospace Agency said he was an active cosmonaut, and he had to get permission to do so. But he disagreed with the Russian Air Force. He was an American citizen, and he was married to a Russian citizen.
Yuri Malenchenko and Ekaterina Dmitrieva were not the only couples who have married in space. The Rocketplane company offers a similar service, but it’s based in Oklahoma. The couple can even have live broadcasting from their wedding, and invite two more guests and a priest to the event. This option is available at an additional cost.