Tears of Joy

A tear rolled down his face, said Boston Bruin defenseman Donald Sweeney, as his bride-to-be, former Canadian Pairs Champion Christine Hough turned the corner and started to walk down the aisle at their wedding ceremony July 27, 1996 at St. Cecilia's Church in Boston.

"I have been playing hockey and been nervous going into games and whatnot, but I never really got the feeling that I got when Christine walked down the aisle........I just felt that this was probably the happiest that I was ever going to be," said Sweeney.

Hough also exuded an equal affection for her husband, describing their wedding as being just like a fairy tale. "It was all my dreams come true," Hough said, "I have had a lot of exciting experiences in my life through skating, but this was it for me. This was the best thing that ever happened to me."

Canadian natives, Sweeney, 30 and Hough, 27, met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend, professional golfer Billy Andrade. After going out for about two years, the couple decided to become partners for life.

The ceremony, a traditional Catholic service, was followed by a reception at the posh Copley Plaza Hotel. Approximately 215 guests attended the celebration, many figure skating and hockey celebrities among them.

Hough asked pairs partner Doug Ladret to walk her down the aisle because "he has been in my life for the past 13 years," she said. "He has been one of the most consistant people in my life and is one of my best friends." Ekaterina Gordeeva and Rosalynn Sumners were bridesmaids along with Tiffany Copperthwaite. The maid of honor was Hough's long time friend, Lori Merrall. Other skaters in attendance were Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton, Brian Orser and Lloyd Eisler.

"Everything was beautiful," recalled Gordeeva. "The hotel, the hall where they had the wedding, the ceremony.....I was crying. Like everybody. A lot of love comes out."

Some of Sweeney's Bruin teammates were also in attendence, including Cam Neely, Raymond Bourque and Kyle McLaren. "The mix of people involved......led the night to be fun and energetic. Everybody just seemed to enjoy themselves." said Sweeney.

The couple were a bit nervous about such a diverse group of people coming together, especially since the rehersal dinner was the first time that their parents and immediate families had me. "You worry," Sweeney admitted, "with people coming together from all parts of the world and you hope your family is okay when people are mixing together for the first time.......But everybody really seemed to have a great time and that's what was special to us. Everybody was happy and there to share in our special day."

Back from their honeymoon in the Caribbean, the couple plan to continue pursuing their careers, but above all, said Hough, spend time with each other. "We've traveled alot and toured pretty had over the last four years," she said, "It's about time to slow down a little bit. And I would like to be home with my husband because I enjoy our life as well. It's different when you are on the road and by yourself, when you're sleeping alone and missing the one you love."

Hough and Ladret will not be performing in the American leg of this season's STARS ON ICE tour, but they might do the Canadian segment. The pair will be skating in events in the fall, but nothing has been confirmed at press time. Sweeney is going into his ninth year as #32 with the Bruins.