It was wedding day to go down in the books for one bride and groom when their wedding party joined the Halifax Pride Parade, trying to get to their venue.
Patricia Lesperance Slaney, 67, tells our newsroom, she and her husband Bob, 68, had no idea the date they had booked to tie the knot, was also the day of the biggest pride celebration in Atlantic Canada.
“It just put a whole new vibe on my whole event. It brought joy and love and acceptance,” says Lesperance Slaney.
Photo: Creatives Photography
Joining the parade
Lesperance Slaney says it all started when they were getting ready for their big day at the Lord Nelson Hotel, Saturday afternoon.
When it was time to get into their limo to take them to their venue at the Saint Mary’s Boat Club, there was a bit of a conundrum.
“Everything’s going really smooth, and all of a sudden I hear…’You can’t get out’,” says Lesperance Slaney.
South Park Street was completely shut down for the parade until 3 p.m. – the same time their wedding was slated to begin- but that was not going to slow them down.
“So, I just said, ‘All right girls, put your shoes on. Let’s do it,” says Lesperance Slaney.
With the help of a police officer standing nearby, Lesperance Slaney and her wedding party joined the parade amid thousands of people.
Photo: Colour Creatives Photography
“It was the most exciting moment and exhilarated all of us. We were just pumped. Just pumped. It was the best thing,” adds Lesperance Slaney. “Other people were snapping photos and they were yelling and screaming, going ‘Yeah!'”
Photo: Colour Creative Photography
Lesperance Slaney says, the feeling has stuck with them.
“I am still excited. I didn’t plan it. It just happened, you know, it just… it was amazing. Seriously, amazing.”
