Tammie Day was dressed in white, nervous and fighting cancer.
Her groom, Larry Carmack, waited at the altar in a dark suit and tie, his face weather-worn.
He wiped his eyes, and the afternoon sun glared down on West Sacramento's River Walk Park.
With this backdrop on Sunday, the two formerly homeless people said their marriage vows before about 50 wedding guests – many of them from the couple's homeless community.
The musical group Rondalla Voces Románticas performed, volunteering its services. And when the musicians played the "Wedding March," the crowd cheered and whistled.
Day, 42, told The Bee she was diagnosed five years ago with cancer, which has spread to her lungs and other organs.
"I wanted to marry Larry before the good Lord took me," she said moments before the ceremony.
Carmack, 54, called the bride "the love of my life."
"We wanted to get married before the cancer took her," he said.
During the last two years, the couple found some stability and moved into a West Sacramento motel.
The ceremony, performed by Pastor Scott Hagan of Mars Hill Community Church, was born of the church's street ministry, which offers food and clothing to homeless people weekly. It was the third such ceremony performed by the pastor of the Natomas church since December.
He said the couple were counseled in advance of the ceremony.
The effort was not expensive, said church member Joel Capizzano – about $200.
Church members organized the lunch – fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob and dessert – and member Felicia Woodard planned the wedding with the help of supporters and volunteers.
"It's not a Las Vegas wedding," Hagan said.
Embassy Suites donated a deluxe two-room suite for the honeymoon night, Hagan told the crowd.
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