There are plenty of ways for couples to make their big day even more memorable. Some are more lavish than others, but most are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. For those who are ready to take it one step further, a company is offering an out-of-this-world way to say “I do.” Space Perspective plans on sending lovers into orbit in a carbon-neutral balloon with giant windows that will give the ultimate view of planet Earth. And if the price of $125,000 per seat doesn’t scare you away, there’s already a waiting list.
The first ever wedding in space took place on August 10, 2003, when U.S. astronaut Ekaterina Dmitrieva married Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko via satellite video link. She was at NASA headquarters in Texas while he was orbiting the International Space Station. They walked down the aisle to a David Bowie song (Dmitrieva was wearing a white dress, and he was in his standard space station uniform). The couple didn’t want to wait until they returned to Earth to marry each other, so they got married before their mission ended.
Despite being an astronaut and a cosmonaut, Malenchenko had to get special permission to have the wedding because of his profession. Officials tried to convince him to postpone it until he got back to Earth, but they eventually gave in. Since that time, there have been many other astronaut/cosmonaut couples married in space, including Shannon Walker and Andrew Thomas, Megan McArthur and Robert Behnken, Hoot Gibson and Rhea Seddon, Mark Hawley and Jan Davis, and more.
Although it may seem like the most extreme way to get married, a space wedding isn’t as far out of reach as you might think. A company called Space Perspective is planning to launch a service in 2024 that will send you 100,000 feet into space for your nuptials. The website lists the cost as $125,000 per ticket, but you can reserve your spot for a discounted rate of $75,000 if you book early enough.
If you’re interested in a more affordable option, there are a number of non-traditional space wedding venues that aren’t quite as expensive as the ones mentioned above. Many of them are museums, art centers/theatres, town buildings, or even public parks, but they’re also usually bare bones, meaning you’ll have to bring your own tables, chairs, flatware, china, and decorations.
If you’re a DIYer or have a lot of friends who are also willing to chip in, a Raw Space wedding could be the perfect way for you to tie the knot. Just be sure to read the fine print carefully, as most of these spaces require you to bring everything you need yourself. If not, you’ll be spending a lot of money on supplies that you might end up throwing away afterwards. Still, it’s a fun idea to look into if you’re a high-low queen who wants to make your day more affordable than Alia-Ranbir’s private affair or Anbani’s.