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Photos: Two 'Star Wars' Fans Get Married At The Chinese Theatre In Hollywood
Two Star Wars fans from Australia tied the knot today in Hollywood before the opening night of The Force Awakens today and were joined by a few familiar characters.
Andrew Porters and Caroline Ritter were married outside of the TCL Chinese Theater IMAX on Hollywood Blvd. on Thursday, where they've camped out along with other fans for the past 12 days to see the movie tonight. The couple flew in from Australia for the special occasion at the theater where the film premiered on Monday and where the first Star Wars movie premiered back in 1977. They also happen to be the first couple to get married in the courtyard of the theater, and it was no small affair.
The ceremony began with R2-D2 rolling down the red carpet to position himself in front of the theater as the official ring bearer. A violinist than struck up "The Imperial March" as an imposing Darth Vader walked the bride-to-be up to the center of the courtyard. There stood the expectant groom along with the rest of the wedding party of Star Wars characters—most of whom are friends of the couple—which included several Jedis, a stormtrooper, and Chewbacca.
The wedding was officiated by Obi-Shawn Crosby who began the vows with a nod to The Princess Bride, "Mwarriage is what brings up together today. Mwarriage — that blessed arrangement." But after clearing his throat, he continued with a thoughtful blessing, which—not surprisingly—was loaded with plenty of Star Wars references, along with other sci-fi allusions.
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"One cannot block the power of love anymore than one can stop the twin suns from rising," Crosby told the couple. "You must assimilate completely with one another even though the trials and tribulations that any new enterprise can bring. Always remember that in a strong relationship, size matters not, even the little things are big things."
Once the vows were completed, IMAX presented the couple with a giant check for $5,000, which will be donated to the Starlight Children's Foundation in their name. The couple had been raising money for the charity—along with the other fans that had camped out in the courtyard—with the help of the group LiningUp.net, which organized the gathering. As an added surprise, IMAX also presented the couple with another $5,000 check, this time for their honeymoon, which will be spent in France and England next July. They'll be stopping in London for a Star Wars convention as well—naturally.
Following the ceremony, the couple was also treated to an elaborate Star Wars-themed wedding cake, along with several smaller cakes. After sharing the cake, having their wedding photos taken by the media blitz, the happy couple then departed the courtyard as fellow fans tossed popcorn after them. Alwyn Hight Kushner, CEO of TCL Chinese Theater, then wished the couple happy tidings and added, "May the Force be with you."
Related: 'The Force Awakens' Brings 'Star Wars' Back To The Glory Of The Classic Films (spoiler-free review)
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