The historic Trinity United Methodist Church, which stands tall in the heart of Denver, hosted a wedding just as the “No Kings” protest occupied certain parts of downtown earlier this month.  

Thousands of people in Denver and other major cities across the U.S. had marched against actions taken by the Trump administration, specifically the campaign to deport foreign nationals illegally staying in the U.S. The White House said efforts to curb crossings at America’s southern borders have been successful, even as officers have arrested nationals unlawfully staying in the U.S. who have been charged or convicted of violent crimes.  

Outside the church, as the large crowd surged down Broadway, Tulley Delzell and her now husband Matt Delzell were taking their wedding photographs outside the church.

The couple had just completed their “first look” and said their vows to one another when protestors began to flood the street.

At first, Tulley was worried they might not be able to get the wedding photos that they had planned, but the photographer and wedding party adapted to the situation quickly.

“I didn’t want anyone to get hurt or stampeded, but people were actually really respectful and observant of our space,” she said.

Ken Brown, Senior Pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church, officiated the wedding. He said the protestors shouted out congratulations and cheered the couple. A few members of the protest gave American flags to the ring bearer and the flower girl to wave.

“That dichotomy, in that moment of protesters imagining the future and a bridal party and a couple imagining their future, was just striking to me as a pastor,” Brown said.

Tulley and Matt met through mutual friends at a dollar margarita night during their first year of medical school in Kirksville, Missouri. Over the course of many study dates, they fell in love and dated throughout medical school.

Last June, Matt proposed, and the couple began planning their special day.

Tulley, who is originally from Denver, grew up going to The Brown Palace for afternoon tea parties and wanted to hold the reception there.

“That was a special connection to me,” she said.

Matt wanted to get married in a Methodist church, and so the couple chose Trinity, which is located near the iconic Denver hotel.

Prior to the wedding, the two became aware that the ‘No Kings’ protest might coincide with their special day.

According to Brown, the church staff briefed the wedding party on security measures and kept a watchful eye on the situation to ensure everyone’s safety should chaos erupt.

Tulley said that despite the unplanned crowd, the day went perfectly.

“I think again that them (wedding attendees) being aware of the protest, and aware that this was a historic moment, was beautiful,” said Pastor Brown.

Following the weekend of celebration, Matt and Tulley moved to New Jersey to begin their residency. The two are both on the path to becoming family medicine doctors.

“I don’t know if I would ask for a protest to go through my wedding, but it ended up being a positive thing, which I was really thankful for,” Tulley said.