Upstate NY couple marries at Canadian border at Quebec crossing

An upstate New York couple whose wedding plans were disrupted by travel restrictions at the US-Canadian border ending up saying “I do” right at the Quebec crossing so all of their guests could attend.

Karen Mahoney and Brian Ray had hoped that the border would be open in time for the bride’s parents and grandparents from Quebec to be able to attend their wedding.

“We didn’t want to wait and have a long engagement. We are so much in love that we couldn’t wait another day to be married,” Mahoney told CBS News.

But as the Cadyville ski instructors’ Sept. 25 nuptials neared, they realized that the COVID-19 travel restrictions would still be in place.

The couple turned to a childhood friend nicknamed “Border Brian,” a border patrol agent who was able to arrange their wedding to take place at the Jamieson Line Border Crossing, where Burke, New York, meets Quebec.

“He was off-duty at the time and … let the other agents who were on duty know what was going to transpire,” Mahoney said. “He arranged so that it would be uninterrupted.”

Mahoney said her 96-year-old grandmother was thrilled to be able to attend after all.

“She was extremely excited,” she told the outlet. “I’ve seen her once in two years. So, it was very emotional. We both cried. And she expressed to me later that to witness the happiest day of my life is a moment she would never forget.”