Obama calls couple who had to move wedding
Natalie Heimel and Ed Mallue Jr. have a very unique wedding video — one featuring a phone call from the president of the United States.
President Obama called the newlyweds to apologize after they moved the location of their wedding because the president was playing the golf course where the ceremony had first been scheduled.
"Listen. Congratulations on your wedding. I feel terrible. Nobody told us," Obama told the couple in a video provided to CNN and other news outlets.
Heimel and Mallue, both Army captains, had planned to tie the knot on the 16th tee of the golf course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, a spot with a terrific ocean-and-mountain view. The president's game Sunday forced them to move to another spot, also with a great view.
"If they had just mentioned that they were going to have a wedding on the 16th hole, we would have skipped the 16th hole," Obama said.
No problem, the couple replied.
"Thank you very much," Mallue said. "It was a blessing in disguise."
Heimel, the bride, told the president: "We just went right above the 16th hole. So we were watching you golf."
Replied Obama: "That must have been kind of painful."
"The couple then invited Obama to their reception. Fearing he might cause another wedding mishap, the president respectfully declined.
"'Everybody would have to be magged,' Obama joked about his security needs. 'Sorry for the change of plans. But sounds like you guys are gonna have a great wedding and at least you will have a good story to tell.'
"'Congratulations and thank you both for your service,' Obama added at the end of the call."