The nontraditional ceremony was part of the City of Denver's Marriage Marathon event, which kicked off LGBTQ Pride weekend. The city hosts a Valentine's Day marathon every year, marrying hundreds of couples since 2008, but this was the first marathon to be themed around Pride.
Thirty-one couples said "I do" during the event, most of whom were members of the LGBTQ community.
"It gives us an opportunity to be a part of something that's not just for us, but to support others in our community," says Panyachith. "This is not just a piece of paper to us. This is more than that. It's a statement, it's our rights. And I love that Denver supports everything that we're doing."
Kiel says it "felt like fate" when she came across the Marriage Marathon while scrolling on Facebook.
"It was meant to be," Kiel says. "We've been together this long, we really wanted to get married, and this was a perfect opportunity. We are blessed and grateful that something like this happened here in Colorado."
For five hours, newlyweds walked into the Denver Elections Division Building downtown for back-to-back wedding ceremonies. Judges and Denver Clerk Paul López officiated the ceremonies, with up to three taking place simultaneously.
Some couples came alone, dressed in shorts and T-shirts, stopping in for only a few minutes. Others, like Kiel and Panyachith, came with a crowd of friends and family, wearing wedding dresses and tuxedos, holding bouquets and posing for photographers.
"Love wins, no matter who you love," López says. "I would love to see this as an annual tradition. Now more than ever, this reaffirms our commitment to equality and to uphold every person’s right to marry whom they love."
Chris Wigley and Matt Padilla married after more than seventeen years together. "When we found out this was available, we were like, let's celebrate with the community," Wigley says.
Hannah Metzger
Colorado has doubled down on LGBTQ protections, including removing language from the state constitution that banned gay marriage in April. But the federal threats still inspired many of Friday's couples to take the plunge.
"With the times right now, it's kind of scary," says James Murphy, who married Alex Cartagena. "I just think it's time. We've been together for three-and-a-half years. I feel like we've been married for three-and-a-half years anyway."
Murphy and Cartagena met on Facebook; Murphy says he was immediately drawn to Cartagena's kindness and traditional attitude toward romance. Cartagena says he loves how protective Murphy is. The couple was backed by a maid of honor and bridesmaid during their wedding ceremony, with plans for a reception/bachelor party celebration that evening.
Cat Pace and Wynona Redman have been together for eight years. The women had a formal commitment ceremony two years ago, but they felt it was important to "make it legal now," Redman says.
"Protection from the state, protection from government, quite frankly, is a part of it," Pace says, noting that the couple recently moved to Colorado from Texas. "But also, I just want to be able to know that she's legally required to be there, to quote a good movie."
After so many years together, the couple says they are excited for their next chapter, though their favorite part of the day was watching the other couples getting married, too.
"All the love that you can see, all the support that some of the families are providing. It's been beautiful," Pace says. Melissa Flippin and Sarah Flippin were cheered on by loved ones during their ceremony. Sarah made herself a rainbow-colored veil and bouquet of flowers, matching with the floral boutonniere she made for Melissa, partially using flowers they grew themselves. The couple has been together for almost fourteen years, after meeting at a concert at the Ogden.
"When we saw that this event was happening, it was the perfect time," Sarah says.
"We're so excited. I was surprised I cried, I teared up," Melissa says. "We've considered each other wives for a long time, but some people only recognize the legitimacy of a paper, so we might as well just get it done." Kiel and Panyachith were also brought to tears when they saw how many people showed up to watch them get married. They had the largest entourage of the day, with dozens of friends and family members coming out to support them.
"I am lost for words. It's a surreal feeling, but it's a beautiful feeling," Kiel says. "I've been waiting for this for a very, very long time. I'm happy that we are able to make it official and happy that we have the laws here that let us get married. Not everybody is so fortunate. This is a blessing."
The couple planned their wedding in only four days after learning about the Marriage Marathon, with Panyachith noting the significance of "sticking together" with the LGBTQ community; "This is a big day for everyone who is celebrating," she says.
"We are absolutely insane for that, though," Kiel laughs.
"But we did it," Panyachith says. Her wife smiles and agrees, "We did it."
