Celestial bliss: Philadelphia couple weds under total solar eclipse in Erie
A total solar eclipse in Erie was a backdrop for a Frontier Park wedding Monday for a southeastern Pennsylvania couple.
Philadelphia residents Hannah Gaudite and Luis Gongora described themselves as fans of space who watched an eclipse on television when they first met. The wedding, at the park's amphitheater, was planned.
They picked Erie for their nuptials based on its status as the only major Pennsylvania city in the "path of totality" for Monday's total eclipse.
They and their 68 guests assembled at the amphitheater, on the north side of Frontier, as crowds filled the south side. As that throng of more than a thousand cheered as the moon obscured the sun at 3:16 p.m., Gaudite, 33, and Gongora, 35, officially tied the knot.
More: Eclipse coverage in Erie, around Pennsylvania: Review Monday's updates, observations
"Amazing," Gongora said of the confluence of events. "Nothing like it. A once-in-a-lifetime experience."
As the wedding party sat in respectful silence at the amphitheater, the local band Phunkademic took the stage on the other side of the park and launched into playing all of Pink Floyd's classic album "The Dark Side of the Moon."
The end of the band's set was meant to coincide with the start of the total eclipse. Phunkademic wrapped up with the album's final song, "Eclipse," and its final lyrics: "And everything under the sun is in tune, but the sun is eclipsed by the moon."
The crowd cheered at the song, and cheered louder as the sun really was eclipsed by the moon.
Across the park, newlyweds Luis Gongora and Hannah Gaudite beamed after their wedding ceremony. They smiled under the light of a newly emergent sun.
"A once-in-a-lifetime love," Gaudite said.
Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Philadelphia-area couples weds in Erie PA under total solar eclipse
