Hospital staff at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak rallied to arrange a heartfelt impromptu wedding for a local couple before the groom’s urgent surgery.
SAN ANTONIO — Inside a hospital room at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak, staff rallied to grant a San Antonio’ couple’s wish to be married ahead of the groom’s scheduled open-heart surgery.
A spokesperson for Methodist Hospital said husband Lee Tallier and wife Laura Elliott had originally planned to say “I do” two weeks later but a life-altering event prompted a change in plans for the couple.
Faced with uncertainty, the couple made a heartfelt decision — they didn’t want to wait.
“I got to marry the love of my life and with his surgery coming so soon, it just made sense to do it today,” Laura said.
On Thursday, Methodist said hospital staff jumped into action, transforming a clinical room into a sacred space for the couple to exchange heartfelt vows in an emotional impromptu bedside ceremony.
“When we learned about Lee’s condition and the couple’s wish to marry before surgery, our team didn’t hesitate,” said Catalina Garibay, director of the Telemetry Unit at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak. “Everyone rallied together to make the day as meaningful and beautiful as possible.”
The groom’s best friend officiated the ceremony, while his children stood by as witnesses. Members of the care team also gathered to show their support.
“Moments like these remind us that a hospital is not only a place of healing, but also of humanity,” Garibay said. “It was an honor for our team to help make this wedding possible for such a sweet couple.”
