As as I walked into the bridal suite to begin my coverage for Matt and Candace's wedding day last month, I was filled with the same feelings that accompany me at the start of every wedding, a mix of excitement and anticipation for the day ahead.  The news I received when I arrived, though, quickly turned this day into one that would be all-together unforgettable, emotional, frightening, and beautiful.

When I arrived at the room, I was informed that the groom, Matt, had been admitted to the hospital that morning with intense internal chest problems and that just five minutes prior, Candace was told that, while Matt appeared to be in good health and spirits on the surface, the results of the preliminary tests, while still inconclusive, required Matt to stay in the hospital for a minimum of 72 hours for fear his condition was serious and contagious.  Candace and Matt were faced with two options: cancel and reschedule the wedding, which many guests had already flown in from out of state for...OR... go forward and get married that day...at the hospital.  It didn't take long.  Matt and Candace were committed to saying "I do" to each other on this day.  And so the decision was made.  The show would go on!

Within minutes , the plan was set and in motion. The ceremony would be pushed up and held in a small room at the Alta Bates Medical Center down the street in one hour.  As a precaution, anyone entering the room with Matt, myself included, would be required to wear face masks (exception given to Candace, who refused).  The plan was to be back at the original venue, The Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, in time to meet guests as they arrived, to inform them of the situation, and upon Matt's insistence, to carry on with the ceremony, reception, and party as best they could in his absence.  And so my day began.  Like any wedding, through photos, I would tell this story as best as I could.  

At this point, the news was still sinking in for everyone.  Parents, siblings, the bridal party.  Fear, uncertainty, and concern for Matt was in the air.   Everyone felt it.  But watching Candace, as she finished getting ready, it was her strength that shined the brightest.   Displaying a sense of faith that all would be ok, she looked beautiful in the midst of it all.  Radiant. Confident.  I then hear Matt on the phone to his best man, "Make sure you bring my hair product and tuxedo".  Matt is one of the nicest, silliest, coolest guys I've met...it was great to hear him sounding like himself.  In a way, their demeanor helped everyone else relax and feel better.

At the request (and great idea!) of the family, I video recorded the ceremony at the hospital so that we could play it on a projector screen for the guests back at the Claremont. Led by the loving nature of the officiant Mary Alice O'Connor, a short but beautiful ceremony was held in the hospital room with just their parents and a few closest present.  Matt and Candace exchanged their vows, tears were shed, laughs were shared, and they were pronounced husband and wife.  In a powerful show of support, 27 additional friends and family members waited in the hall and took turns greeting them afterwards.

Back at The Claremont, the show went on.  Thanks to the benefit of modern technology, Matt was able to watch the rest of his wedding day and reception from his hospital bed.  Candace carried around her iPhone all night long and using Face Time, provided a live stream to Matt of all the action, giving guests a chance to see him and say hello as well.  We had particular fun with this at the cake cutting!  Matt was even able to call in and deliver a toast and thank you to everyone for all to hear.  It was a beautiful thing.

Huge credit to Kathy Marty and her staff at The Claremont, Mary Alice O'Conor (officiant), Spencer Sutherland (DJ), Christal Caladiao (Hair/Makeup), my second shooter Jason Todd who, on top of capturing some of these priceless photos, made a run to Radio Shack to get the HDMI cord we needed for the projector, and to all of the family and friends who were so instrumental in making this day something special.  Oh, and to everyone who got down on the dance floor (you know who you are), way to bring it...I know you did Matt proud.

I am happy to give an update that Matt is doing fine.  Eventually diagnosed with an aggressive case of pneumonia, he is officially on the mend, and Matt and Candace are happily enjoying their marriage.  They certainly have a unique wedding day story to tell.  In my eyes, a most beautiful love story if there ever was one.

Congratulations Candace & Matt!