Space-themed weddings have been popular for years. One of the most recent of these weddings is being held in space by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and his American-Russian bride Ekaterina Dmitriev. Although not the first, the couple’s ceremony stands out for a number of reasons.
The wedding was actually a proxy marriage. During the ceremony, the couple was able to communicate with each other through a satellite video link. A ring was also delivered to the ISS on a Progress cargo spacecraft. As the groom walked down the aisle, a David Bowie song played. In addition to the ceremony, the couple celebrated with a reception in the Russian city of Yaroslavl. At the reception, the guests enjoyed Italian and Russian delicacies.
While the space-themed wedding was certainly the newest and most technologically advanced, the actual ceremony took place in a more conventional fashion. Malenchenko and Dmitriev had originally planned to hold their wedding in Moscow, but the cosmonaut had to go back to Russia to train for his next mission. He was scheduled to leave the ISS in October. When he returned to Earth, he was greeted by a friend standing in for him.
The reception, though, was more impressive. Guests were treated to a buffet of Italian and Russian delicacies. There was also a giant fruit bowl with the forms of the space station. It was a fun touch that made a great photo opportunity.
Malenchenko was one of the most famous space travelers to date, and his accomplishments are legendary. Not only did he receive the Hero of the Russian Federation award, but he was also a five-time astronaut and spent over two years in orbit. His career was expected to be over after the wedding, but he stayed in the space station for another four months before returning to Earth. Despite the fact that his space-themed wedding was only partially successful, it has remained a milestone in space history.
However, a more important question may be why Malenchenko and Dmitriev chose to have their wedding in space. After all, why not? They were both Russian citizens, and it was a requirement under Soviet-era laws that military officers must have permission to marry foreigners. Ultimately, the couple was able to marry even though the Russian Mission Control Center said the event was a private affair.
Although the Russians disapproved of the space-themed wedding, it is still a major accomplishment. Besides, it is a great example of how mankind is eager to explore space. Another reason the event is impressive is the sheer scale. Having a wedding in space takes a lot of planning.
A space-themed wedding is a wonderful way to celebrate your nuptials, and there are several venues available to make it a memorable event. For example, the Space Foundation in Colorado Springs offers an onsite event planner to help you plan your special day. With their array of venue options, you can choose from different seating arrangements and catering packages to accommodate a large group. Their staff will even set up and clean up for your wedding.