US couple to wed in space

A couple from Austin, Texas are planning on having a very memorable wedding, as they will exchange vows in space.

Cindy Cashman and Mitch Walling will enlist the help of the space tourism company Rocketplane for their wedding, which is set to take place sometime in 2009, the Austin American-Statesman reports.

The couple are hoping to exchange vows at approximately 300,000 feet, although according to legal experts their married may not be legal if the ceremony is conducted in space.

Austin-based lawyer Mike Slack told the paper: "Whatever happens on this space trip is not going to have a legal effect on marital status. They are not getting married in space. There is no body of law or jurisdiction that exists in space to confer recognition on a marriage ceremony."

However, the couple are confident that they're nuptials will go ahead successfully and legally.

Ms Cashman commented: "It's a big deal to us that it's legal. I went through a lot, my attorney went through a lot, and in my opinion, it'll be legal. This is history. This is the ultimate adventure... Is this the American dream or what?"

Rocketplan will begin testing its space flights for tourists in late 2008 or early 2009.