Couple gets dream wedding in Massachusetts hospital room

A couple finally had their dream beach wedding — in the groom’s hospital room.

Stephen Ruma, a cardiac ICU patient at Massachusetts General Hospital, married his now-wife April on Sept. 2 in a ceremony put on by the hospital’s staff “amidst smiles and tears of joy,” according to the hospital’s Sept. 21 Facebook post.

“It’s a reminder that love knows no bounds, and sometimes even a hospital room can become the perfect place for a lifetime of love and commitment,” the post says.

The two met when April became Stephen’s mother’s home caretaker in 2019, and from then on, the two “found love in each other’s company.” They had made plans to get married in May 2024, the post says, but Stephen fell ill.

After hearing their future wedding was postponed, nursing staff at Massachusetts General Hospital “decided to make magic happen” in Stephen’s hospital room, the post says, by bringing the ceremony straight to him and April.

“The room was beautifully decorated in a beach theme, Stephen and April’s favorite place,” the post says.

The couple was surrounded by some of Stephen’s nurses, in addition to a few family members, a hospital spokesperson told McClatchy News. Many other family members and friends also watched the two wed on Zoom, an online video platform.

The wedding was officiated by Massachusetts General Hospital chaplain Kate Gerne, the post says.

Some Facebook users were moved by the touching ceremony and wished Stephen a speedy recovery. Some even attested as former patients to the hospital staff’s kindness.

“Great story to say the least. Having been here in that unit a short time ago, i understand totally how thoughtful the staff there is. Best wishes to you both on your marriage, and Stephen’s recovery,” a commentor said.