Weddings are all about making the day a special and memorable one, and some go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that their nuptials stand out from all the rest. From Alia-Ranbir’s intimate affair to the glitz and glamour of Ambani weddings, couples go out of their way to make sure that their big day is not just perfect, but out of this world.
But what if getting married in space was a realistic option? That’s the dream offered by a Florida-based company called Space Perspective that plans to send newlyweds into orbit in a carbon-neutral balloon equipped with enormous windows for the ultimate view of Earth. And the experience, which lasts about six hours, can be experienced by anyone who is medically fit to fly with a commercial airline.
The company’s website explains that its Neptune spacecraft “lifts off the ground at a gentle pace of 12 mph, so there is no need for prospective couples to be worried about being blasted off into space like an astronaut.” It also states that the craft uses renewable hydrogen to propel it without the need for rockets and associated carbon footprint. And the balloon remains attached to Neptune throughout the flight, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey.
For those who want to get hitched in space, the first step is to fill out a form on the company’s website. The next is to consult a professional space planner who can assist in the planning process and help you decide if getting married in space is really the right choice for you. They can help you think about what your priorities are, and match those with the experience that you’re looking for.
Once the paperwork is complete, you’ll be able to select the date of your wedding. The company will then arrange for you to meet with an astronaut or cosmonaut who will be your guide in the Neptune capsule during the spaceflight. The cosmonaut or astronaut will be your witness to your marriage, while assisting with the technical aspects of the launch and descent.
In the case of Yuri Malenchenko, who is number two on the list of Russian cosmonauts for the longest time spent in space (and a holder of the country’s highest award, Hero of Russia), it was his wife, Ekaterina Dmitrieva, that stood with him in his white uniform as he gave his vows via satellite video link between NASA headquarters and the International Space Station. They married in a private ceremony in Texas, following the laws of the state, with a friend standing in as best man and Ed Lu playing Mendelssohn’s traditional Wedding March on the keyboard of his spacecraft. The couple returned to Earth two months later.