One of the most significant days of a couple’s life can be celebrated in an entirely unique way. From industrial warehouses to rustic horse stables, couples have found ways to transform a variety of raw spaces into the wedding venue of their dreams. But what if you wanted to take things to the next level? What if you could say “I do” while floating in orbit? Thanks to a company called Space Perspective, you can.
The first-ever space wedding took place in 2003, when the cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko married Ekaterina Dmitrieva, an American citizen of Russian descent, while on a mission. She entered the room in Houston wearing a white dress and greeted him on a video conference monitor from 402 kilometers above New Zealand, where he was stationed on the International Space Station. He smiled back at her and said, “I love you.”
Mr. Malenchenko has gone on to have a distinguished professional career, as the second-longest-serving cosmonaut ever and a holder of Russia’s highest honor, the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. But it was his personal space wedding that made him famous.
How the space wedding trend will change traditional weddings remains to be seen, but it’s already taking off. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, technology is being incorporated into ceremonies more than ever before, with Zoom weddings and even a (non-legal) ceremony staged in the virtual world Animal Crossing, a popular video game. But the space wedding takes things to another level entirely, giving couples and their loved ones a completely immersive experience.
When planning a space wedding, it’s important to think about what matters most to you and your partner. Is stunning photos a top priority? Or do you want to provide a truly unforgettable dining experience? Once you’ve narrowed down your priorities, look for a space that will lend itself to those goals.
While most raw spaces won’t be flexible when it comes to natural lighting and acoustics, there are many ways that you can customize the ambience and create the perfect setting for your big day. For example, consider using different types of artificial lighting to play out the hard edges of an industrial space or soften a warehouse’s acoustics. You can also bring in entertainment to amplify the energy of a large event or create the right mood for intimate moments.
A few other small details can make your space wedding really fly. For instance, you might offer your officiant and guests Enterprise-approved astronaut uniforms to give your wedding some serious space sexiness. Or you might send out springy Martian antennae headbands or toy ray guns as wedding favors, for a fun, playful touch that’ll be perfect for post-ceremony selfies.