Longtime couple ties the knot in mass wedding at Colorado Springs Pridefest

It took almost two decades, a 1,400-mile trip and multiple decisions from the country's highest court to finally tie the knot, but for David Sandago and Scott Joel, July 11, 2015, was the perfect time.

6 photosThe couple were on vacation in the area when they heard about a wedding ceremony Saturday during the first day of the 25th annual Colorado Springs Pridefest - the same day of their 18th anniversary.

The couple got a marriage license from the El Paso County Clerk's Office last week, and on Saturday they walked on stage at America the Beautiful Park in front of hundreds of cheering onlookers who waved rainbow flags and took video on cellphones.

"We knew we wanted to be married for a long time, but we kind of just thought everybody should be able to be married," Sandago said after the ceremony.

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Joel said he felt "butterflies" in his stomach standing in front of the crowd. Sandago said he displayed an unusual amount of emotion.

"I'm not a crier," he said. "And I got teary-eyed."

Sandago and Joel were joined by nine other couples for the ceremony presided by the Rev. Alycia Erickson from Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church, but the couple's role was unique.

It was the first time in the pride festival's 25-year history that legal marriages could be granted in El Paso County and recognized across the United States.

Decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for same-sex weddings in Colorado in October and in all 50 states in June.

"The good thing now is that no matter where they go in the United States, their marriage is going to be recognized, which has never happened before," said Erickson, after signing the couple's marriage license.

"I get goosebumps even now just thinking about it."

More than 215 same-sex couples have married in El Paso County this year.

Joel and Sandago are now on that list. And marriage is a union the two are ready for.

"After 18 years, we kind of have an idea," Sandago said. "You don't like each other for periods of time, but we know you get through it."

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