Matt Cooper chose his heart over his job Saturday.
Cooper married his fiancee, Brooke Lowery, the daughter of Rock Hill Fire Department Capt. Herbie Lowery.
The decision means Cooper likely will lose his job as a firefighter because city policy forbids immediate family members and in-laws from working in the same department.
Under the rules, Cooper would lose his job July 18.
The nuptials at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church drew national attention and prompted fierce debate about Rock Hill's nepotism rules.
It also brought relief to the couple and their families, Herbie Lowery said after the ceremony.
"This has been stressful," he said. "I feel caught in the middle."
The couple has pleaded with Rock Hill leaders to make an exception to the policy.
The wedding had an unusual atmosphere. TV trucks were among the vehicles that lined the outside of the church.
About 200 people, including dozens of firefighters attended the 25-minute traditional ceremony. It was beautiful, said the Rev. Joseph James, who officiated.
He said Cooper, 25, was nervous before the ceremony. He was more nervous about remembering his vows than his job, James said.
The media snapped photos alongside the wedding photographer as the newlyweds left the church in a chauffeured 1961 Rolls-Royce. They did not speak to reporters.
The International Association of Firefighters has come to Cooper's defense and has called the policy "anti-family."
It also said that in 1990, the city granted an exception to firefighter Mike Neal, who married the daughter of a fire captain.
About 20 firefighters showed up at a Rock Hill City Council meeting last week to ask members to change a policy on nepotism that could cost a firefighter his job.
City officials have indicated that they won't make another exception. They said the previous instance was an oversight.
They said the policy avoids the appearance of favoritism and conflicts of interest in hiring.
Cooper, an Ohio native, started working in the department two years ago. He said he was told about the policy when he began dating his new bride.
Herbie Lowery is holding out hope that Cooper will keep his job.He said he wants the city to assign him and Cooper to different stations and different shifts.
