‘It was so, so beautiful’: Couple welcomes newborn after surprise hospital nuptials

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - When one Kansas City couple’s wedding plans turned into a hospital visit, the staff at Saint Luke’s made the most out of it.

Fiancés Jolanna and Kurtis had their wedding set for March 7, got the marriage certificate, and planned to elope so they could have at least one month as newlyweds before their baby arrived.

But plans changed, and on March 7, they found themselves inside the emergency room. Jolanna was bleeding and diagnosed with placenta previa. This can be a deadly diagnosis, and she was confined to her hospital bed for days.

During that time, staff at Saint Luke’s heard about the missed wedding plans and took it upon themselves to ensure the soon-to-be Johnsons had their special day.

On March 7, 2025, the couple was married in front of family, friends, and nurses inside the hospital chapel. The staff brought flowers, a cake and even took on the role of photographer.

“It was so, so beautiful. It was very emotional because you’re not expecting that, it’s just a little overwhelming, especially when emotions are running high, new parents, hospital scare, you know, wedding,” Jolanna said. “Tried to keep the tears to a limit, but that was a little harder to do than you’d think.”

Exactly one month later, they welcomed baby Ariya Rae into the world.

Now, new mom Jolanna says she is so thankful she and her husband got to have the moment as the Johnsons, thanks to St. Luke’s staff efforts.

“Everyone here has been amazing,” she said. “They’ve been super, super sweet, very patient. Couldn’t ask for a better team, honestly.”

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