Star Trek icon George Takei married Brad Altman, his partner of 21 years on September 14, 2008, becoming, after Ellen DeGeneres and Portia Di Rossi, the second high profile celebrity same-sex couple to marry in California.

Two hundred guests attended the emotional ceremony in downtown Los Angeles. Takei’s Star Trek co-stars, Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Uhura) and Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekov), were maid of honour and best man respectively.

The couple wore matching white tuxedo jackets with black trousers and bow ties. Music was provided by a Japanese koto harp and bagpipe procession, and they made their grand entrance to One Singular Sensation from the Broadway musical A Chorus Line.

They stepped into a circle of yellow rose petals to exchange vows, which they had written themselves.

Takei and Altman have been together for 21 years and announced their wedding plans in May after California’s Supreme Court legalised same sex marriage.

Altman described Takei as his “life partner, significant other… now I can add ‘my husband’ to the list of things I call you.”

Takei joked that his partner was an “organised, detail-obsessed, punctuality-driven control freak”, adding: “I’m easygoing with details, so we’re a good fit.”

Taking Altman’s hands in his, the actor said: “I vow to care for you as you’ve cared for me… and to love you as my husband and the only man in my life.”

Afterwards, the happy couple posed for photographs and Takei flashed the Star Trek “live long and prosper” hand signal.

The reception took place in the grounds of the Japanese American National Museum, a reference to Takei’s heritage.

Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nicols

Nichols said: “I was fighting back tears but they came oozing out anyway. I’m so happy that they’re both able to legally proclaim their commitment to one another after spending the past 21 years together.”

Takei said before the ceremony: “We have a relationship that’s been stronger and longer lived than some of our straight friends, and yet we were not equal. What this does is give us that dignity.”

Source: Star Trek actor George Takei weds

Video of George Takei Brad Altman wedding procession

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• Photos: Ellen DeGeneres Portia de Rossi Wedding People Magazine Cover September 2008
• Video: Ellen DeGeneres Portia De Rossi Wedding Announcement – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” 5-16-08

Video & Photos: George Takei Marries Longtime Partner Brad Altman 9-14-08 wedding pics wedding pictures