Space Wedding
The first space wedding was performed on Sunday by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko, the commander of the International Space Station, and his wife Ekaterina Dmitriev. They were married by video linkup with the space station and in a church on Earth.
Yuri’s family, including his mother, were on hand at the ceremony to watch him and Ekaterina exchange vows. Their marriage was the first of its kind and it marked a major milestone in the history of the Russian space program, CNN reported.
For the groom, it was the most important day of his life – and the first time he had ever been in space. The 41-year-old Malenchenko, who is a member of the elite cosmonaut corps, has made five space flights and has received a number of awards, including the Hero of Russia award.
He was accompanied by his best man, Ed Lu, also an astronaut, and the couple appeared on a video linkup with their earthbound guests, who watched in real-time as they celebrated their special day. During the ceremony, which was officially categorized as a private family conference and was not broadcast over NASA television, Malenchenko wore a flight uniform instead of a tuxedo.
Their reception was held in a space-themed hall. Designed to be the perfect backdrop for a wedding, this ‘raw space’ features a high ceiling, exposed beams and wooden floors.
It may seem impossible to plan a wedding in such an unconventional venue, but with a bit of planning and research you can put together the perfect space for your big day. Just make sure to consider the following:
Layout of Ceremony Areas
If your ceremony will take place in a raw space, you’ll want to ensure that it is large enough for the number of people you’re inviting. If you have too many seated guests, the space might feel too cramped and unwelcoming.
Lighting and Acoustics
Typically, the natural light in these spaces is harsh, so it’s a good idea to think about how you will soften this up during your event. You can add a variety of artificial lighting to play off the hard edges and create a more soft, romantic atmosphere.
Heat and Air Conditioning
If you’re planning a wedding in an industrial or raw space, it’s important to think about the temperature of the room during the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. The temperature will impact the level of comfort for your guests and, in turn, the quality of their experience at your event.
You may need to enlist the help of an experienced event planner to handle some of these details, but they will be more than happy to assist you and provide guidance along the way. This will save you a lot of headaches and allow you to enjoy your day!
A Raw Space is a great way to unleash your creative potential, but it can be daunting to plan the entire wedding in a space that doesn’t have a predefined layout or decor. The key is to be flexible and have a vision for how you’d like the room to look and feel before you start planning.