A lot of couples dream of having a wedding that’s out of this world. And that’s exactly what one company is offering: a space wedding. The company, called Space Perspective, will launch guests into orbit in a carbon-neutral balloon with enormous windows for the ultimate view of Earth. The only catch is that the flight is $125,000 per seat. And the waitlist is light-years long.
The first space wedding took place 16 years ago, when Ekaterina Dmitriev married cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko from the International Space Station by video linkup. The couple, from Texas, was married in a ceremony that was officially classified as a “private family conference” and not broadcast on NASA TV. Malenchenko marched down the aisle to David Bowie’s “Absolute Beginners” and his best man (another astronaut) played Mendelssohn’s traditional wedding march on a portable keyboard.
In the years since, a few other astronauts and cosmonauts have been married while in orbit. But it’s not easy. Maintaining relationships while on missions can require scheduled communication sessions, support from ground personnel, personal items for reminders, and psychological training to cope with the distance. In fact, some ISS astronauts have said they were forced to end their romantic relationships while in space because they couldn’t make it work on Earth.
But even for those with a solid plan and the perfect venue, a space wedding isn’t cheap. As a general rule, weddings in the United States cost about $34,000. And that figure goes up for destination weddings and events held in areas with high demand, such as New York City.
While it’s not possible to have a space-themed NYC wedding on a budget of that size, there are plenty of other ways to add an out-of-this-world element to your special day. One way is by choosing a raw space that doesn’t need much in the way of decor. Many event spaces can accommodate a number of different styled weddings, but you’ll still want to consider the location and whether or not there are any restrictions on how the space can be used.
Alternatively, you can opt for a more literal outer space theme by renting an event space that looks like Mars or the inside of a spaceship. With its red rocky terrain and otherworldly beauty, the planet has all the makings of a stellar backdrop for an otherworldly wedding.
Whatever route you choose, it’s always a good idea to visit the space in person before booking. That will give you a better sense of what the space can do for your vision and help you determine what decor changes or additions might be necessary. Lastly, you should also ask the event space what officiant services are included in your rental fee. This will save you the hassle of finding an officiant on your own. And if you don’t have a officiant lined up, the event space can often connect you with one of their trusted professionals.