Westfield Couple Marries 30 Seconds Before Baby Is Born

WESTFIELD, NJ - Michael Gallardo and Marie Margaritondo of Westfield had an intimate wedding planned weeks before the birth of their first son, but baby Michael Preston had plans of his own.

After her water broke three weeks early, Margaritondo was rushed to Morristown Medical Center well before the planned nuptials could take place. Not wanting to list Gallardo as “fiancé” on the baby’s birth certificate, Margaritondo and Gallardo asked the staff if there was any way they could get married at the hospital since they already had their marriage license.

“Everyone was incredible,” said Gallardo. “The nurses were scrambling—one was trying to get ordained online, one went outside and picked flowers for a bouquet, others were monitoring Marie and the baby’s vitals.”

Ultimately, a chaplain on-call at the medical center was able to perform the ceremony.

“They were like angels, meant to be there,” he said.

The couple was originally scheduled to be married at the courthouse in Westfield, but Gallardo said despite the impromptu nature of the ceremony, turned out great.

“It was like a real ceremony. Our moms were there. We had flowers. We exchanged vows. It was beautiful,” he said.

Less than a minute after Gallardo kissed his bride, Margaritondo was rushed into the operating room for a C-section.

Michael Preston Gallardo was born on Memorial Day to his two newlywed parents.

The couple's original plans for a courthouse wedding and a small reception in downtown Westfield may have been dashed by their son's early arrival, but Gallardo and Margaritondo are planning a large wedding and reception sometime next year.

With their son in tow.

“We could not be more blessed and more grateful,” said Margaritondo. “I can’t believe this is our story.”

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