Stephen Colbert marries couple who couldn’t have dream wedding at Jefferson Memorial (Video)

Stephen Colbert came to the rescue of one very lucky couple who could not have their dream wedding at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington because of the government shutdown. The Colbert Report host took advantage of his status as an ordained minister to marry the couple during Thursday’s episode.

Mike Cassesso and MaiLien Le wanted to marry at the memorial because, as Cassesso revealed, it was where they had their first date (“big spender,” as Colbert noted). But, as Colbert noted, they could not because of the the shutdown.

“Well, Nation,” Colbert told his viewers, notes the Huffington Post, “I promised you on night one of the shutdown that as leader of the Colbert Nation and Earl Lord of the Afterscape, I would provide all canceled government services, and that includes weddings.”

Colbert then married the couple, throwing incredibly short bachelor and bachelorette parties, sharing shots at both. He even hired a stripper, but there wasn’t enough time for her to strip. He also brought in Mandy Patinkin to give a Hebrew prayer (and also to plug his show Homeland). Tony winner Audra McDonald was even brought in to sing “White Wedding” for the couple’s first dance.

They also didn’t have a bouquet of flowers, so they made do with Colbert’s Emmy.