Flood doesn’t stop Ocean City couple’s wedding

Josh and Mollie Kotis had a heck of a time getting married last week. Flood water made things difficult for sure. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Josh and Mollie Kotis had a heck of a time getting married last week. Flood water made things difficult for sure. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Did you have to walk through flood water the day you got married? No? Well, your story isn't crazier than what Josh and Mollie Kotis endured. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Did you have to walk through flood water the day you got married? No? Well, your story isn’t crazier than what Josh and Mollie Kotis endured. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Last week's nor'easter dampened the Kotis' wedding a little, but not enough to stop the ceremony. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Last week’s nor’easter dampened the Kotis’ wedding a little, but not enough to stop the ceremony. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
A look at the wedding party. They went through a lot to enjoy last Friday's ceremony. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
A look at the wedding party. They went through a lot to enjoy last Friday’s ceremony. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Some travel to their weddings in a limo. Others travel in this. As long as you get there, right? (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Some travel to their weddings in a limo. Others travel in this. As long as you get there, right? (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
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Josh and Mollie Kotis had a heck of a time getting married last week. Flood water made things difficult for sure. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Did you have to walk through flood water the day you got married? No? Well, your story isn't crazier than what Josh and Mollie Kotis endured. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Last week's nor'easter dampened the Kotis' wedding a little, but not enough to stop the ceremony. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
A look at the wedding party. They went through a lot to enjoy last Friday's ceremony. (Courtesy Josh Kotis)
Some travel to their weddings in a limo. Others travel in this. As long as you get there, right? (Courtesy Josh Kotis)

WASHINGTON — The drenching rains of a nor’easter didn’t stop an Ocean City couple from tying the knot.

For Josh and Mollie Kotis, who had planned their wedding for more than a year, Mother Nature provided an early test for the couple’s resolve.

Their wedding was set for Oct. 2, but because of the nor’easter, the couple cancelled its outdoor ceremony and move everything indoors to Harrison’s Harbor Watch.

“It was almost as if we were being tested from the get-go,” Josh Kotis said.

Then on wedding day, flood waters moved in and closed city roads with the bridal party inside a beach side condo. Josh and the bridesmaids had to come up with another plan to get everyone to the wedding venue.

“My bridesmaids [were] keeping wine in my hand to keep me relaxed,” Mollie said.

When she thought the wedding would be postponed, an Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department Humvee pulled up to the condo.

“We just started laughing,” Mollie recalled. “When the firefighters were there, they’re picking up kids there, throwing them in the back. We’re all sitting on benches.”

The firefighters drove the bridal party to the venue. Ocean City Police escorted shuttle vans of guests to the restaurant.

“It was a pretty big police escort,” Josh said.

Despite the weather and setbacks, the couple says the ceremony was a success.

“People always say at least one thing isn’t gonna happen the way you had it planned,” Mollie said. “Nothing I had planned happened.”

Oh, and to top things off, the reception ended early because of a power outage. A friend drove the couple home, and they had to walk through water before getting inside.

Josh hopes the tuxedo rental company doesn’t see this article. At least they got some good photos out of the deal.

Mike Murillo

Mike Murillo is a reporter and anchor at WTOP. Before joining WTOP in 2013, he worked in radio in Orlando, New York City and Philadelphia.

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