Government Shutdown Prompts Couple to Wed on The Colbert Report

The Jefferson Memorial, the original site of the ceremony, was forced to close because of the shutdown.

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When the government shutdown forced one couple to find a new place to get married, Stephen Colbert came to the rescue.

Mike Cassesso and MaiLien Le were supposed to wed on a lawn near the Jefferson Memorial, where they had their first date. But when the shutdown blocked access to the monument, the late-night host volunteered to marry them live on The Colbert Report Thursday night. Smokey the Bear was the best man, Homeland star Mandy Patinkin sang the Jewish Shehecheyanu blessing, and Tony award-winner Audra McDonald performed Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” for the couple’s first dance.

Part I

[hulu http://www.hulu.com/watch/541539%5D

Part II

[hulu http://www.hulu.com/watch/541540%5D

Mazel, you two.