WATERVILLE — At a wedding ceremony this weekend, the groom wore a gown.

A hospital gown.

Waterville residents Chris Bolduc and Sue Williams were married Saturday on the third-floor balcony at MaineGeneral Medical Center at Thayer Campus. More than 30 friends and family members attended the ceremony and reception.

Although the nuptials had long ago been scheduled for Saturday, the event’s venue was the result of a sudden change in circumstance.

The couple, who had been engaged since Christmas day 2009, originally planned to hold their ceremony and reception Saturday at Reid State Park in Georgetown. Those plans changed, however, when Bolduc developed an illness.

Two weeks ago, Bolduc, 51, began to get pain in his abdomen. On Wednesday, after undergoing a CT scan at the hospital, Bolduc was admitted to MaineGeneral. Then, on Thursday, Bolduc underwent emergency intestinal surgery.

At first, it appeared the wedding was off, the bride said.

“On Thursday afternoon, we canceled everything because of the surgery,” said Williams, 54. “Then, on Friday afternoon, the hospital (staff) suggested we do it here.”

Diane Peterson, senior editor of marketing and communications at MaineGeneral Health, said the idea originated within the nursing department.

“Everybody just wanted to pull together and get something set up for (the couple),” Peterson said.

Eventually, the small group of impromptu wedding planners grew to include staffs from housekeeping, information technology and more.

“A whole bunch of different departments wanted to spruce up, clean up and decorate the place so it would be nice enough to have a wedding,” Peterson said.

Bolduc said the hospital staff saved the date.

“It was really nice of them,” he said. “They went out of their way to do that.”

Bolduc’s son, also named Chris, served as best man at the wedding. He said his father is resilient.

“He’s pretty easy-going,” the younger Bolduc said. “He takes things in stride.”

Notary Laurie Heyer, who officiated the ceremony, has known the elder Bolduc for five years. She agreed Bolduc was calm and collected despite the circumstances.

“Of course, I think he’s probably drugged up, too,” Heyer said with a laugh.

Immediately after the ceremony, a smiling Bolduc offered a speech from his wheelchair. He thanked his wife for her support during his hospital stay. Then he addressed the crowd.

“Strike up the band, and let’s get dancing,” he said to a standing ovation.

Bolduc said the surgery was successful, and he’s expected to recover fully.

“I’m not going into a whole lot of detail,” Bolduc said of the nature of his illness. “But, once I get through the recovery of the incision, I’ll be fine.”

Bolduc said he might be discharged as early as Monday.

In the meantime, the newlyweds will be honeymooning in Bolduc’s hospital room.