Couple’s wedding plunged into darkness during mass blackout in New York

‘A lot of people thought it was on purpose’

Wedding by candlelight (iStock)

There are many things couples like to do with the lights off but getting married isn’t usually one of them.

That is, however, unless you’re Craig Silverstein and Amy Rosenthal who said “I do” just as the lights went out at the Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue over the weekend.

On Saturday, New York City’s Manhattan district was briefly plunged into darkness as a transformer fire shut off power to thousands of people across the city – coincidentally exactly 42 years since the Big Apple lost power for 25 hours.

In an interview with the New York Times (NYT), newlyweds Amy Rosenthal and her brother, Justin, opened up about the unusual nuptials.

Justin told the publication that just when Amy began walking down the aisle at the prestigious New York wedding destination, the room was plunged into darkness.

“A lot of people thought it was on purpose,” the bride's brother explained, “like some kind of mood-lighting situation.”

Guests immediately began to pull out their phones to provide some light so that the wedding could continue.

“It was unbelievable,” the bride added. “Everyone stepped up and were doing everything in their power to make the night a special one.”

At the reception, the 12-piece band also used their initiative and, without the use of electronic instruments, proceeded to play with saxophones, trumpets and violins, and sing songs that didn’t require the use of a microphone.

NYT journalist Emma Fitzsimmons tweeted a photograph taken of the newlyweds during the blackout on the streets of New York, adding that the couple “made the best of the situation and danced the night away”.

“If you’ve planned a wedding, you’ll understand how this is basically Your. Worst. Nightmare,” Fitzsimmons added in another tweet. “But I’m sure it’s also a story they’ll be telling their grandchildren.”

A guest at the wedding commented on the journalist’s photograph, stating that people stepped up to help the couple and made it “incredible”.

“Beautiful bride and groom, amazing flowers, entire wedding singing to help the band since they no mics, and they danced the night away!”

Fitzsimmons also posted a photograph taken inside the wedding, explaining that her friend from school was a guest at the wedding and took a photograph of the Plaza’s ballroom lit only by candle light.

Several Twitter users have since commented on Fitzsimmons’ posts praising the couple for making the best out of a bad situation.

“Yay Amy & Craig!!! Truly the best wedding ever! That’s how you make lemonade out of lemons,” commented one user.

Another added: “Sounds like the beginning of a novel. "Our wedding shut down the city...."

“That’s amazing and more memorable!” commented another.

The New York City Fire Department said a transformer fire triggered the blackout, which hit a 30-block stretch from Times Square to about 72nd Street and Broadway, to the west of Central Park.