Michelle Kwan Marries Clay Pell in Intimate Ceremony

(Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
Michelle Kwan arrives for the state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for President of China Hu Jintao at the White House in Washington, January 19, 2011.

By Sami K. Martin , Christian Post Contributor

January 21, 2013|8:03 am

Michelle Kwan married Clay Pell over the weekend. The former Olympic medalist and Coast Guard lieutenant exchanged vows in Providence, Rhode Island on Saturday in front of approximately 250 guests.

The couple married at the First Unitarian Church in Providence in front of family, friends, and several high-profile guests, according to The Providence Journal. Governor Lincoln D. Chaffee, his wife, and Catherine T. Taylor, director of the state's Department of Elderly Affairs, were in attendance.

Brian Boitano and Dorothy Hamill, fellow Olympic skaters, also attended the nuptials, making it an interesting array of guests. Kwan wore a gown specially designed by Vera Wang, who also designed some of Kwan's costumes while she was a skater, The New York Post reported.

Pell now works for the White House as a director for strategic planning on the National Security staff. He has served in the Coast Guard and worked his way up to lieutenant. His colleagues were in full uniform and provided the traditional archway for the couple to walk under as they left the church.

Kwan also works for the government as a senior advisor at the State Department. She and Pell met when they applied for a White House fellowship; unfortunately Kwan lost out on the fellowship, but she has no complaints.

"I got the fellow," she told The Washington Post in an interview.

"I never was one who believed in love at first sight, but I have to admit it happened for us," Kwan told People when she announced her engagement. "I felt there was a magnetic connection between us. I thought he was the one from the beginning."

The couple was so excited about the ceremony that they kissed before it was officially time for them to do so, according to People magazine.

"A few minutes later the minister said, 'And for their second first kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Clay Pell,' and everyone laughed," a guest told the magazine. "You could feel the love Michelle and Clay have for each other. They are truly a perfect match."