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Funeral a poignant backdrop for couples' weddings

Funeral a poignant backdrop for couples' weddings


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Nadine Wimmer reporting Among the crowds gathered on the LDS Church's campus in downtown -- in addition to the thousands of people gathered for President Hinckley's funeral -- are brides and grooms ready to start a new life together.

Twenty-five brides will marry their loves today in the Salt Lake Temple. And President Hinckley's funeral will offer a poignant backdrop for an already memorable day.

Funeral a poignant backdrop for couples' weddings

Family, friends and photographers will be on Temple Square, as well as thousands of people who are expected to attend today's funeral.

Heather Jacobsen and Matt Slater are getting married today.

Heather said, "Logistically it will be hard with traffic and parking." Matt added, "[There will be] hundreds of people there, I'm sure, when we're out there doing photos."

They had mixed emotions when they found out their wedding day is also the day of President Hinckley's funeral.

"I felt bad almost that we were celebrating something on a day that people are mourning," Heather said. But today is not just about mourning the loss of an LDS prophet; it's also a celebration of life and love.

Funeral a poignant backdrop for couples' weddings

"I realize it's not necessarily mourning," Heather said. "He's back with his wife, and Matt and I will be doing exactly what he taught us to do, and that's to get sealed for time and all eternity."

On a day like today, we're reminded that life does go on. President Hinckley is being laid to rest next to his wife, Marjorie. Their strong marriage and love set an example for LDS couples getting married on the same day. Even with all the crowds, this will be a day they will always remember.

"He was so loved by so many people in and outside of the Church. It's almost kind of fun, and I think it will be pretty significant to be able to be tied to that event," Matt said.

President Hinckley and his beloved wife, Marjorie, were married for 67 years.

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