Photo: Courtesy of the New Orleans Saints
Bonding over a shared love of football is one thing, but actually tying the knot while your two rival teams play is something entirely different. For Stephen Phifer and Erin Guruli, coordinating their wedding date with this year's football schedule seemed only natural considering their romance flourished while "smack talking" anytime her team, the Saints, played his team, the 49ers.
Last Sunday, the engaged duo finally had the opportunity to exchange vows in a very meaningful place for them — the New Orleans Superdome — when their rival teams took to the field. According to Nola.com, Phifer and Guruli were married during the second quarter and their nuptials mark the first time a wedding was ever held in the stands during a game.
"We were trying to figure out what kind of wedding we would have," Guruli told Nola. "Most of our families are in Washington, D.C., area. We did away with the traditional style wedding based on [my mom telling us to], 'do something that would be fun for you.'"
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According to Guruli, planning a wedding at the Superdome was much easier than she expected. After hiring an officiant and photographer, she checked with the Saints staff to ensure they wouldn't run into any big-day problems. The Saints's digital media team were so impressed by the idea that they filmed a video for the couple!
And even though they were dressed in a wedding gown and tux for their nuptials, these two were stilled decked out in their respective team's colors: Guruli paired her white mermaid wedding dress with a black-and-gold bouquet, while Phifer sported a 49ers bow tie and hat.
"It was fun, and we had a great time," Guruli said of her big day. "Everyone sitting in our section turned around. They knew something was going on ... People were hooting and hollering. It was really fun and representative of us and our relationship."
As for the game, the 49ers ultimately beat the Saints in overtime, but we'd bet both the bride and groom consider the day a win.