MARRIED IN A CEMETERY
ATexas couple tied the knot at the cemetery in a touching tribute to the groom’s late father, who is buried on the premises. Paul and Emily Wilson, of Mckinney, became husband and wife two weeks ago at Pecan Grove Cemetery. They read their vows next to Paul’s father’s grave during a cemetery that Paul deemed happy and perfect.
The elder Paul Wilson died when his son was just 4 in a car crash. But Paul still considers his father, who was a well-known doctor in North Texas, his best friend, and talks to him whenever his life hits a milestone.
So when the time came to say ‘I do’, Paul told KHOU he could think of no better way to do it than with his father by his side. ‘It seemingly should be sad, but it was so happy,’ he added. ‘My dad was right next to me when we got married. I’ve got goosebumps talking about that because it was that special.’
Over the past five decades, Paul has visited his father’s grave to tell him about the birth of his children, about baptisms and graduations.
For his wedding, he wanted to have both of his parents by his side. His mother’s second husband is also buried at the cemetery.
‘I wanted my mom and dad here together – they’ve never both been with me at a special occasion like this – and my stepfather is buried here,’ Paul told the Mckinney Courier-gazette.
The bride and groom held back tears as they read their vows during the emotional service.
Paul’s mother’s best friend said holding a wedding ceremony at the cemetery didn’t seem weird ‘at all’ once you knew the family.