Sulu gets hitched, Uhura weeps

Toast the groom (and the other groom) with a tall mug of Romulan ale! George Takei of "Star Trek" fame tied the knot in Los Angeles on Sunday and People magazine was all over it like Captain Kirk on that green alien lady.

George Takei and his longtime partner, Brad Altman, were wed Sunday evening in a Buddhist ceremony in downtown Los Angeles.

"All I can remember is what the priest said," Takei told People after the ceremony. "That this moment will never happen again. It's something to savor."

Nearly 200 of the couple's friends attended the event, which began as a kimono-clad koto player plucked out tunes on the ancient Japanese stringed instrument. Afterward, the couple sipped sake from red lacquer cups, then said their vows to one another while standing within a circle of yellow rose petals.

A Scottish bagpiper led Takei, 71, and Altman, 54, to the reception on the grounds of the Japanese American National Museum. On the way, the couple, along with their maid of honor and best man (Takei's former "Star Trek" costars Nichelle Nichols and Walter Koenig) flashed the "live long and prosper" hand sign to photographers and friends.

"I was fighting back the tears," said Nichols, who played Uhura on the "Star Trek" series. "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."

In May, Takei announced his plans to wed after California's Supreme Court allowed gay marriage under the state's Constitution.

Wait, does this mean Mr. Sulu is gay? Set red-state phasers on stunned!

But seriously, best wishes for Takei and Altman, and we hope didn't get too many of these as wedding gifts.

-- Geoff Boucher

(Photo courtesy Stan Honda  AFP / Getty Images)

Comments

[Louise]

You know, I never thought Sulu was that kind of guy. I always pegged him as being hot for Vulcans. Ever noticed the way he looked at Spock? But I guess a human will do in a pinch.

[Straight...but never narrow]

Koto music, sipping sake, vows spoken within a circle of rose petals....even a bagpipe procession? Wow, sounds like a terrifically cool ceremony - great ideas! My sincere congrats and well wishes to George and Brad - finally, after 21 happy years together...

[Joe Bua]

To Brad and George -- Live long and ...

... wait, is that too cliche?

Oh, enjoy your lives together, no matter what words I choose.

[Emlyn]

Congratulations and here's to another happy 21 years!

[Ann]

Live long and prosper, George and Brad! I wish you many more years of happiness together.

[Sandra]

Brightest blessings to you both, and may you both have much happiness in your wedded future. :)

[Bill]

Hurray! Best wished to them both!!

[gmknobl]

Sulu isn't, at least if his attentions to Uhura are any indication. However, George is and isn't their wedding just wonderful.

The best to both him and Brad. From someone you'll never know, and for giving me 40-some years of enjoyment on the screen, congratulations! It's about d*mn time!

[Corax, Head of House Blood Fist]

George and Brad, Congrts and a huge Qapla'! from the Klingon Empire. Anyone who can edure the things that you have, desreves it. Prosperity and flowing bloodwine for all. "Hovmey Davan!" (You Salute the Stars.)