Twice-Thwarted Couple Marries in Hospital

April 25, 2003 -- The bride wore a white gown issued by the hospital, and rolled down the "aisle" in a wheelchair with flowers in her lap, to the strains of "Here Comes the Bride." Her groom — who luckily recognized her after suffering a concussion — said his vows with a boutonniere pinned to his own hospital gown.

Welcome to the wedding of Army Pfc. Chris Little and his new bride Stephanie, whose wedding day was a tale of true love — and true persistence.

The couple had planned to get married last weekend in Lubbock, Texas. It was to be their third attempt. They had tried to tie the knot twice before but basic training for Chris, a 23-year-old private first class who is stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., got in the way both times.

Then, just two days before the planned ceremony, another unexpected event thwarted their trip to the altar. Chris and Stephanie were in a car accident.

He had come home for a 10-day leave and she picked him up at the airport early last Friday morning. But when they were driving back to Lubbock, he fell asleep at the wheel and the car spun several times.

He had a concussion, and she suffered a badly cut left foot and bruises. After Chris regained consciousness, Stephanie was worried that her groom-to-be might not know who she was.

"I was very scared because he didn't remember a few hours before the car wreck and even into Friday night," Stephanie Little, a 21-year-old Texas Tech student, told ABCNEWS' Good Morning America. "So, I was really fearful that hewasn't going to remember me, because i've heard of that happening," she said.

But Chris didn't forget about the love of his life. When he woke up in the hospital, Stephanie was all he could think about.

The first thing I wanted to know is how she was doing," Chris said. "They had to keep me out of her room, actually."

Determined to go ahead with the wedding, the couple simply decided on a change of venue.

They would exchange their vows and invite their wedding party and guests to join them at the University Medical Center in Lubbock. The couple's 75 guests joined them in a hospital conference room set up for the event.

Barefoot Bridesmaids

As with any wedding, there were the last-minute preparations. The flower girl and ring bearer had to get into position to walk down the aisle. The entire wedding party traded in their formal wear for some "not-so-formal wear." The six bridesmaids donned hospital gowns instead of bridesmaids' gowns, and went barefoot, in solidarity with the bride who couldn't get her shoe over a swollen foot.

The hospital gown look worked for the groomsmen too, who accessorized the gowns with tux jackets and shiny black shoes.

As "Here Comes the Bride" played, Stephanie rolled down the aisle in her wheelchair, with her head stitched, her leg elevated and her proud father pulling her IV behind them.

Heart and Humor

"As you place these rings on your fingers it is to be a constant reminder of your vows and your commitment to each other," the minister said.

The glamour was gone, but the heart and the humor remained.

"I, Stephanie take you, Chris, to have and to hold from this day forward," Stephanie said, her steady voice interrupted only by the beeps of her IV.

The couple kissed, and the minister quickly broke in.

"Before the IV goes off again, ladies and gentlemen we present to you Mr. and Mrs. Chris Little," he said.

With that, Chris Little pushed the new Mrs. Little down the aisle.