Space weddings have become increasingly popular. They are symbolic of mankind’s desire to expand into space. For Yuri Malenchenko and Ekaterina Dmitriev, the dream came true. Their wedding took place in the city of Yaroslavl, Russia, on October 31, 2012. It was an orbital ceremony, which means that only half of the couple was in the atmosphere.
The bride and groom had been engaged on the ground at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After the wedding, Malenchenko moved to Russia to continue his training for a mission to space. When his mission was extended to October, the couple decided to get married in the air. Despite Russian space officials’ objections, Yuri could not postpone the wedding.
In addition to the couple’s engagement, the ceremony also included other details that reflect the couple’s relationship. Guests were treated to Italian and Russian delicacies at the reception. An elaborate fruit bowl exhibited the forms of a space shuttle and a space station. There were also a life-size cutout of the groom to greet guests as they arrived at the reception.
One of the more memorable parts of the wedding was the ceremony. The cosmonaut performed a proxy marriage ceremony. He wore a bow tie, which marked his wedding to the American citizen. During the ceremony, he blew kisses to his bride, who walked down the aisle to “Absolute Beginners” by David Bowie. She also recited the lyrics of the song.
Malenchenko and Ekaterina had an onsite event planner to help them organize the wedding. Having an onsite event planner is important because you are the primary liaisons between vendors. This person can arrange the venue, catering and other details, so you don’t have to worry about those things. A wedding planner is a great way to make sure that everything goes as planned.
Yuri Malenchenko was a cosmonaut who was born in 1961 in Russia. He is known for his work on the International Space Station (ISS) and other missions. He holds the highest award in Russia, the Hero of the Russian Federation. He was rated number two in the world for the longest time spent in space, logging 827 days and nine hours in orbit. His ring was set with gold and precious stones.
Although the Russian Aerospace Agency did not approve the couple’s plans for the wedding, the ceremony was not broadcast on NASA television. It was classified as a private family conference, meaning it was not public. However, it was the first time that a cosmonaut had been allowed to marry a non-Russian.
Yuri Malenchenko has also earned a reputation for being a dangerous astronaut. Unlike the other space shuttle crew members, he was not allowed to perform a re-entry. According to him, he had to do it because of his profession.
Malenchenko was able to return to Earth for a brief visit in September and October to see his wife. The couple has since chosen a church in Yaroslavl for their religious wedding.