There’s no doubt that destination weddings are becoming more and more common. But one company is taking it to the next level by offering couples a chance to get married on the edge of space!
The price tag for this once-in-a-lifetime event is a little steep at $125,000 per person but the experience could be worth it for some couples. The company, known as Space Perspective, offers couples a chance to fly all the way up to 100,000 feet above Earth and say their vows with a breathtaking view of the planet below them.
In 2003, a Russian cosmonaut named Yuri Malenchenko sparked outrage by marrying his U.S. citizen girlfriend while he was on a space mission. His superiors argued that since he was an active military officer with access to state secrets, it was against protocol for him to marry a civilian while in orbit.
However, the couple got married anyway – with the bride walking down the aisle in her stunning Vera Wang dress to David Bowie’s “Absolute Beginners” and him joining in via video conference from the International Space Station (ISS). She put on his bow tie and he slipped on her diamond ring, which had been delivered to him by the astronauts on board. After they exchanged their rings, she blew him a kiss and he returned the gesture.
Then they had cake, sang and danced. Although they couldn’t celebrate with the 200 guests who had originally been invited, the couple still managed to find a way to make their marriage official, thanks to Texas law and the fact that they were supported by the leadership of NASA. Their ceremony took place at the NASA mission control center in Houston.
Although getting married in space isn’t a possibility for most of us, it may become a reality sooner than you think. A Japanese start-up called Warpspace is planning to launch a service where newlyweds can pay to have their names etched onto a commemorative plaque that will be loaded on a satellite and sent into orbit on a supply ship headed for the ISS. The company will then send the couple photos of their plaque swirling among the stars in space.
Of course, if you’re not quite ready to spend your hard-earned cash on a cosmic ceremony, there are plenty of other ways to add an extraterrestrial flair to your nuptials. You can use a Star Wars-inspired font for your invitations or opt for a galactic theme for the reception. Give your guests springy Martian antennae headbands and toy ray guns as favors that will look perfect in post-ceremony photos. Or, you could even have your officiant wear a spacesuit for the ceremony to truly capture the spirit of your day. Just don’t forget the champagne. Because after all, nothing says romance like a space-inspired aperitif. Happy weddings, you two!