TAMPA, Fl. - Nina Marino, 19, and Joey Williams, 21, said their "I do's" on Sept. 3 in Marino's hospital room at St. Joseph’s Children Hospital in Tampa, Florida. They were to be wed on Sept 4. at the hospital chapel but plans quickly changed when doctors told Marino, who was battling cancer, she wouldn't live through the night.
Hours after receiving the news Marino was dressed in a wedding gown, complete with a flower crown. Unable to walk to the chapel because she was too weak, PICU staff and family transformed her room into a beautiful wedding venue-- adorned with photos of memories the bride and groom created over the years.
The initial photographer unfortunately could not make it,so Nil Patel, from Patel Creative, was called to capture the precious moments.
In an emotional blog post, first shared by Love What Matters, the photographer recaps the big day and goes on to describe the love the pair shares as, "the kind of love people only dream of."
"While Nina was not able to verbally express her love for Joey, it only took a look to bring him to his knees. He knew. It was the kind of love where no words have to be exchanged to know what the other person was saying," wrote Patel.
Photographs from the wedding show Marino and Williams surrounded by family and friends-- just as the beautiful bride had intended.
Marino died on Sept. 6, three days after the wedding, but Williams is keeping her spirit and memory alive via a Facebook page that chronicles their adventures.