Bride, Whose Father Was Killed on 9/11, Shares Moment with His Former FDNY Colleagues

Just days after Kristin Marino married singer Noah Schnacky, the content creator went viral for an emotional wedding moment between her and her fallen firefighter father’s former New York City Fire Department (FDNY) colleagues.

PEOPLE exclusively announced that Marino — whose father Kenneth died giving “his life helping others” during the 9/11 attacks when she was just 3 years old — wed Schnacky at Rockefeller Center’s 620 Loft & Garden in New York City, on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The celebration was “deeply personal” because FDNY Rescue 1 firefighters lent the bride and groom a firetruck, which transported Marino from the Plaza Hotel to her wedding venue. 

“They’ll also stand in his place, representing his presence as we say ‘I do,’ ” Schnacky told PEOPLE ahead of the wedding. “It’s one of the most meaningful moments of our entire celebration.”

After the wedding, Marino posted photos and clips of her sweet interactions with the firefighters honoring her father on Instagram and TikTok.

“Yesterday I truly understood what it means when firefighters say ‘its a brotherhood,’ ” Marino wrote on Instagram on Thursday, Aug. 28. “Firefighters (new & retired) from my dads firehouse Rescue One showed up to my hotel and escorted me all the way to our venue where Noah was waiting at the altar.”

She continued: “They stopped their life to be apart of my special day to honor my dad. Walking out of the hotel to see all the firefighters with the 2 trucks instantly made me bawl my eyes out, it truly was symbolism of my dad walking me down the aisle & I know it’s exactly how he would of wanted it, this one is for you dad❤️🚒.”

An Instagram reel posted on Thursday, Aug. 29, shows Marino smiling before shedding happy tears as she exits the hotel and greets the group of firefighters lined up in front their firetruck.

“My dad couldn’t show up to my wedding because he was taken from us on September 11th…so look who did…❤️ New and retired firefighters from my dads fire house Rescue One,” Marino wrote in a text overlay. “I finally understand why they say ‘It’s a brotherhood.’ I know my dad was smiling down knowing I was taken care of.”

At the end of the video, Marino’s mother, Katrina, and her younger brother, Tyler, also cried as they hugged.

“I couldn’t hold it in…thank you for honoring my dad @fdny ❤️🚒,” Marino added in her post’s caption.

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During her honeymoon at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii, Marino opened up to the New York Post about what the firefighters supporting her on her wedding day meant to her.

“It was truly surreal to walk out and see so many firefighters lined up in honor of my father. The sight brought me to tears and reminded me of the incredible brotherhood within the FDNY,” Marino told the outlet.

“Having them there along with both of their trucks was so special, and it felt as though my dad was right there with me, walking me down the aisle. I am so grateful to the firefighters of FDNY for making my wedding day so meaningful and unforgettable.”

Katrina also shared how she felt during the meaningful moment.

“We kept trying to hold it together, but tears came in waves, one of us would tear up, then another,” the mother of the bride said. “All of us wishing and knowing he should have been with us. But so special to have his ‘brothers’ there with us.”

She added: “Kenny would be so proud, knowing Rescue 1 were there for us.”

Last year, Marino recalled the story of her father’s heroism to the New York Post.

“When he was in the towers, he had stopped for a guy that was having a heart attack and didn’t want to leave him,” she said. “And all the guys were like, ‘Come on, we have a bigger thing to do.’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, but I need to help him.’ ”