Kristin Marino, who just married musician Noah Schnacky, went viral for an emotional wedding scene between her and her late father’s old New York City Fire Department (FDNY) coworkers.
Marino, whose father, Kenneth, perished sacrificing “his life helping others” after the 9/11 attacks when she was just three years old, married Schnacky on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Rockefeller Center’s 620 Loft & Garden in New York City. The event was “deeply personal” since FDNY Rescue 1 personnel gave the bride and groom a fire truck, which drove Marino from the Plaza Hotel to her wedding destination.
“They’ll also stand in his place, representing his presence as we say ‘I do,'” Schnacky told PEOPLE ahead of the ceremony. “It’s one of the most meaningful moments of our entire celebration.”
Following the wedding, Marino shared photographs and videos of her beautiful encounters with the firemen who were commemorating her father on Instagram and TikTok.
“Yesterday I truly understood what it means when firefighters say, ‘It’s a brotherhood,'” Marino said on Instagram on Thursday, Aug. 28. “Firefighters (new & retired) from my dad’s firehouse, Rescue One, showed up to my hotel and escorted me all the way to our venue, where Noah was waiting at the altar.”
She went on to say, “They took time out of their lives to attend my special day in honor of my father. Escorting out of the hotel to see all the firefighters with the two trucks instantly made me bawl my eyes out. It truly was symbolic of my dad escorting me down the aisle, and I know it’s exactly as he would have wanted it. This one is for you, Dad ❤️🚒.”
Marino smiles before crying joyous tears in an Instagram video shot on Thursday, Aug. 29, as she departs the hotel and meets the squad of firemen gathered in front of their firetruck.
“My dad couldn’t show up to my wedding because he was taken from us on September 11th…so look who did…❤️ New and retired firefighters from my dad’s firehouse, Rescue One,” Marino wrote atop a text box. “I finally understand why people say, ‘It’s a brotherhood.'” I believe my father was beaming down, knowing I was taken care of.”
At the end of the video, Marino’s mother, Katrina, and her younger brother, Tyler, both sob as they embrace.
“I couldn’t keep it in…” “Thank you for honoring my dad @fdny ❤️🚒,” Marino said in her caption.
Marino told the New York Post about her honeymoon at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, and how important the firemen who supported her on her wedding day were to her.
“It was absolutely weird to go out and see so many firemen lined up to honor my father.” The sight moved me to tears and reminded me of the incredible brotherhood within the FDNY,” Marino told the site.
“Having them there, along with both of their vehicles, was really wonderful, and it seemed like my father was right there with me, escorting me down the aisle. I am extremely appreciative to the firemen of the FDNY for making my wedding day so special and memorable.”
Katrina also talked about how she felt throughout the critical time.
“We tried to hold it together, but tears came in waves; one of us would cry, followed by another,” the bride’s mother recalled. “All of us wished and knew he should have been with us.” But it’s so special to have his ‘brothers’ with us.”
She went further: “Kenny would be so proud, knowing Rescue 1 was there for us.”
Last year, Marino told the New York Post about her father’s heroism.
“When he was in the towers, he stopped to help a man who was having a heart attack and did not want to leave him,” she told me. “And all the guys said, ‘Come on, we have a bigger thing to do.'” He says, ‘Yeah, but I need to assist him.'”
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