This Couple Got Married on a Florida Train — See the Romantic Photos

You’ve heard of people getting married on planes, online, and even at Disney World’s Tower of Terror, but recent nuptials on Florida’s Brightline were a first for the new high-speed train connecting Miami to West Palm Beach and, soon, Orlando. 

When it came time to wed, bride Megan Michelle Gabelman, a teacher for Miami-Dade County, and groom Jean-Philippe Charles, an artist, could think of no place more meaningful than the sleek train cars that had played a major part in the unfolding of their love story.

The couple first met six years ago when Jean-Philippe applied to sublease Michelle’s apartment and as their relationship grew through the years, Brightline took them to and from many a date night. As they explored South Florida and fell in love — the romance of train travel an undeniable factor — riding the Brightline was always a highlight of the experience and a witness to the love and commitment blossoming between them. 

“Brightline has always been our favorite pastime with dates, so whenever my fiancé was trying to impress me or take me on a nice, romantic getaway, [or a] stress reliever from work, Brightline was always kind of part of that journey,” Megan said in an interview shared with Travel + Leisure. “But what excited me was always the train ride. It gave that ‘adventure’ part of the date.”

That’s why, as they searched for the right wedding venue — and a way to connect their families from different cultures and backgrounds — the fun-loving couple landed upon the Brightline as the ideal spot to exchange vows and introduce their families to the modern, colorful trains they enjoyed so much.

“We knew that we wanted our families to have an experience with our wedding; we wanted them to go along on a journey with us,” Megan shares. “When we talked about what that could be, going into a church or a courthouse or on the beach — all of those are beautiful settings, but I thought the experience and the movement and us going on an adventure together with both of our families was very important.”

On the big day, the couple and 34 of their closest family members and friends were greeted at the West Palm Beach station with flutes of Champagne, “love potion” cocktails, and light bites in the Premium lounge; then, the bride-to-be took a few quiet moments away with her family to prepare for the ceremony in her own private “bridal suite” at the station.

As the wedding party’s own private Premium train car departed West Palm Beach for Fort Lauderdale, the ceremony commenced with a song sung by the groom’s sister. Megan and Jean-Philippe exchanged vows and then were announced for the first time as husband and wife by Brightline staff.

“I think trains are very romantic,” Megan says. “I love when the crossing arms go and the red lights flash. I think there’s a little bit of nostalgia there and it’s very romantic.”

Want to recreate their one-of-a-kind wedding or host another exclusive event? You can charter a Brightline train for groups of 16 or more.