The timing for Paul and Andrew’s wedding seemed questionable, but Days of Our Lives justified it perfectly. The soap used to be known for big weddings between members of super couples, but recently, smaller budgets have forced them to trim the size of these once-lavish events. However, the series still celebrates love in its own unique way, though it often engages in the favorite soap trope of weddings being interrupted or derailed.
Paul and Andrew are the second gay couple to get married on Days of Our Lives. Eleven years after Days of Our Lives’ Deidre Hall famously declared Sonny and Will “husbands for life,” Paul and Andrew tied the knot in a ceremony attended by friends and family, many of whom were already in town for John’s funeral.
Why The Timing Of Paul & Andrew’s Wedding Is Questionable In Days Of Our Lives
It Came Right After John’s Funeral
On paper, it didn’t seem realistic that Paul, Andrew, and their friends and family would put aside their grief over John’s death to get married shortly after his funeral. John had been in the hospital for several weeks after suffering third-degree burns in an explosion. Initially, he was doing well and was expected to recover, so Paul and Andrew thought they would get married as soon as he was released from the hospital, so he could attend.
Unfortunately, John suffered a sudden setback hours after his doctor stated he was making a miraculous recovery and passed away, leaving behind shocked and heartbroken relatives and friends. Paul and Andrew’s initial decision to postpone the wedding seemed reasonable, while their later reversal did not.
Marlena has been struggling since John’s death, so it seemed especially unlikely that she would be able to focus on a wedding, and most of the other guests — along with the grooms themselves — were heartbroken. However, the wedding gave everyone something to focus on for the day besides the tremendous loss they had suffered.
Getting Married During Pride Month Was The Best Way To Honor John’s Memory
John Was One of the Biggest Supporters of Paul’s Coming Out
Days of Our Lives undoubtedly wanted to schedule the wedding during Pride Month. This series has always strived to be as inclusive as possible. Will and Sonny’s 2014 wedding was the first male-male wedding on daytime television, and the soap followed that up by introducing Paul as Sonny’s ex, who was then closeted.
In the years since, Days of Our Lives has introduced several bisexual characters and has given Leo Stark, who is gay, a bigger role. More importantly for Paul’s story, John was extremely supportive once he learned Paul was gay — in fact, Paul and Andrew met when John was kidnapped while visiting Paul to celebrate Pride with him in San Francisco.
John would have been thrilled that Paul and Andrew were getting married, and their union was the ultimate affirmation both of their love and of the future John hoped his son would have.
Given this background, having Paul and Andrew marry was a strong way to honor John’s commitment to supporting his son. John would have been thrilled that Paul and Andrew were getting married, and their union was the ultimate affirmation of their love and the future John hoped his son would have.
Paul & Andrew’s Wedding Gives Everyone A Cause For Celebration After John’s Death
Marlena Was Especially In Need Of A Break From The Grief
Paul and Andrew’s wedding might have been difficult for Marlena, considering she had just lost her husband of almost 40 years. In the days between the funeral and the wedding, Marlena seemed depressed, though she was resistant to any suggestion that she should turn to a therapist herself. However, the wedding seemed to lift her spirits.
It was especially touching that Marlena told Paul to keep the watch forever, even though it initially was a borrowed item.
She enjoyed the ceremony and honored John by giving Paul a watch that had once belonged to his father. It was especially touching that Marlena told Paul to keep the watch forever, even though it was a borrowed item. Similarly, other characters such as Belle, Brady, and Eric were able to put their grief aside to enjoy the festivities.
The only sadness Days of Our Lives allowed at the wedding was when it was over, and Carrie said her goodbyes before leaving town. Similarly, Bo and Hope leaving Days of Our Lives before the big day was somewhat of a downer, though it wasn’t mentioned and thus didn’t spoil the festivities.
