Some couples get married in chapels. Others get married at Liberty Science Center.

Take, for instance, Dr. William Arthur Rogers and Stephanie Ann Amalfe, MA. The two scientists and New Jersey residents – who proudly describe themselves as “both nerds” – tied the knot earlier this year at the Science Center.

“Science and academia are huge components of our individual identities and our identity as a couple, so LSC was the perfect venue,” the couple said in an interview with LSC. “We did not even bother looking at other wedding venues to be honest!”

Will is a specialist in CRISPR gene-editing technology (which is highlighted in LSC’s Making Mammoths exhibition!). Stephanie is a PhD graduate in Clinical Psychology; she begins her postdoctoral fellowship this September, with a specialty in neuropsychological assessment of sport-related concussions.

The two met on OKCupid, while Stephanie was working at Princeton University and Will was finishing his PhD in Ohio with plans to continue his postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton. They spent months getting to know each other remotely – via texting and Skype – until finally they decided to meet in person at a bar in Philadelphia.

“When we met there was an instant spark because we could be completely sarcastic and nerdy to one another. We have been together ever since.”

LSC caught up with Will and Stephanie to learn more about their LSC wedding! Check out their answers, and see more photos from their special day, below:

How did you decide to have your wedding at LSC?

We are both nerds and went to Liberty Science Center just to check it out one weekend. Will loved going to the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was curious about seeing LSC. Stephanie frequently visited LSC on field trips growing up (it was her favorite place to go!).

Whilst venturing through the LSC we noticed one of the screens showing a couple getting married at LSC and we essentially beelined to the information desk to ask about the feasibility.

Science and academia are huge components of our individual identities and our identity as a couple, so the LSC was the perfect venue. We did not even bother looking at other wedding venues to be honest!

That’s amazing that Stephanie has such a sentimental attachment to LSC! Can you tell us more?

Stephanie visited LSC many times as a kid from Clark, NJ on school trips and with Girl Scouts. She loves LSC and has a special connection from her childhood – especially with the Touch Tunnel, Hoberman Sphere, and getting the freeze-dried astronaut ice cream from the gift shop. She would frequently hold up the group tours because she would re-read all the information in the exhibits.

Tell us about the wedding day itself. What did guests think about the venue and your choice to get married at LSC?

Our guests are still talking about how unique and authentically “us” our wedding was.

The day went by in a flash, but some of our favorites moments were:

• Taking wedding party pictures with the exhibits (especially inside the Infinity Climber and in front of the petri dish art).
• Lining up for the wedding party introductions in the Wobbly World exhibit and seeing everyone (all over 30 years old) playing on the ropes and swings. It was like seeing our loved ones be kids again and it put the biggest smile on our faces. Everyone was laughing and having a great time.
• Taking pictures in the planetarium. Having wedding pictures with Saturn and Earth behind us was unreal…we nerded out a lot throughout the day!

Now that you’re married, what are you looking forward to in the next steps of your lives together?

Growing our family! We currently have two dogs named after the Lost Boys from the movie Hook (Pockets is a corgi and Rufio is a hound mix). Adding children to the mix has always been in the game plan for us. They will inevitably be nerds and visit LSC with their parents.

All photos by Reena Rose Photography.

Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium,  Weddings at LSC