Don’t worry, it’s OK if you didn’t bring a gift.
It was 41 (!) years ago November 16 that General Hospital threw the wedding of the millennium. But to those of us who were there — well, watching, anyway — it seems like only yesterday.
Great Expectations
Young divorcee Laura Baldwin was on one side of Port Charles admiring her stunning gown, and her groom Luke Spencer was on the other shouting to anybody nearby, “Hello, Port Charles,” from his balcony. “The king of the single life, Lucas Lorenzo Spencer, is giving it up today!”
Although Helena Cassadine’s visit to Port Charles left Laura grinning, she did confess to her mother Lesley Webber that she was worried by it. She realized Helena couldn’t have flown in to wish her well since her husband had passed away in Luke and Laura’s successful attempt to stop the maniac from freezing the planet.
Something Borrowed, Someone Cruel
How right Laura was, the Cassadine matriarch cursed the couple — and would continue to haunt them for decades after. But that’s another story for another day…
Before the ceremony, Luke paid a visit to Ruby Spencer, the beloved aunt who’d raised him and sister Bobbie, and promised that even after he had a wife, he’d always need her. Then, at last, it was go time.
Vow and Forever
As Laura was escorted down the aisle by stepfather Rick Webber, Luke did his best to keep his heart in his chest. He couldn’t believe that the woman of his dreams was strolling toward him, to become his for all time.
When the officiant spoke, he told Luke and Laura’s friends and family what, frankly, they already knew. “The two young people before us, through their love for one another, remind us of what it is that makes life precious to all of us — love, loyalty and courage.
“Together in the face of extreme danger to themselves,” he continued, “they overcame powerful forces that sought to destroy Port Charles and its people, even the entire world.”
Wedding Crasher
Amazingly, when the officiant asked if anyone had “just cause” to oppose to the marriage, nobody stepped out. But after the reception, someone made a huge stink. Luke threw Laura’s garter first, which Rick grabbed. Then…
Oh boy. Laura then hurled her bouquet. Although half-sister Amy Vining and friend Tiffany Hill were prepared to tackle anyone who stood in their way, Scotty, the husband Laura left behind in order to flee with her rapist, caught it.
Naturally, a fight broke out, and Scotty had what he believed to be the last word: He was going to challenge his and Laura’s divorce, rendering her union with Luke illegitimate. The groom growled, “The hell you are.”
Luke informed Laura that they were one and always would be, refusing to fall for the trap his adversary was laying. With that, they embarked on their honeymoon, which they believed would last forever. And the audience members only sighed idly.
‘I Dos’ That Can’t Be Outdone
Even now, all these years later, the wedding of Luke and Laura remains daytime’s gold standard, not only a beautifully produced affair full of romance and surprises but the most-watched episodes of daytime television in soap history. (Thirty-million viewers RSVP’d yes!)
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