Fun Event Group
Project:
The Bride Was Beautiful
We've worked with thousands of brides since our start in 1994, but one bride will always be our favorite. This is Katie's story.
Their family contacted us to be a part of their special day. After we learned about their story, we donated our DJ service for their reception and our partners at Spacevision Video Productions donated their wedding video for their ceremony and reception, all completely free of charge.
On January 15th, 2005, 21-year-old Katie — the girl “with a contagious smile and unrelenting optimism” who had been battling cancer for three years — married Lapeer County sheriff’s deputy Nick Godwin, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, at Church of Christ in Hazel Park, Michigan.
Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin passed away at McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, on January 20th, 2005, just five days after her wedding. Her husband, Nick, said of the wedding and Katie’s passing: “It was wonderful. It was a dream come true. She was the most beautiful angel ever — just caring and selfless, and such an inspiration to everyone. She was always smiling no matter what happened, no matter what news she got. She was as close to perfect as they come.”
The girl in the picture is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21. Next to her, her fiancé, Nick, 23. The picture was taken shortly before their wedding ceremony on January 15, 2005. Katie had terminal cancer and spent hours a day receiving medication. In the picture, Nick is waiting for one of her many chemo sessions to end.
In spite of all the pain, organ failures, and morphine shots, Katie is preparing for her wedding and taking care of every detail. The dress had to be adjusted several times because of her constant weight loss.
An unusual accessory at the wedding was the oxygen tube that Katie used throughout the ceremony and reception. The second couple in the picture are Katie's parents, excited to see their daughter marrying her high school sweetheart at Boulder Pointe Golf Club in Oxford, Michigan.
Katie, in her wheelchair with the oxygen tube, listening as her husband and groomsmen sing "you've lost that loving feeling" to her.
At the reception, Katie had to take a few rest breaks. The pain wouldn’t allow her to stand for long periods.
Katie died five days after her wedding. She had the power to overcome her obstacles and prove that love concurs all.
And THAT is why the bride was beautiful.