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Groom Crist Finds Time To Pick Up Rings

News Channel 8 photo by MICHAEL EGGER

First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg is the site of Governor Crist’s wedding on Friday.

By KRISTA KLAUS

kklaus@wfla.com

Published: December 11, 2008

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ST. PETERSBURG - The customer who entered Hien Nguyen's St. Petersburg jewelry store a little before noon today was in a big rush. He picked up two white gold wedding bands, each encircled with three rows of diamonds, and hurried on his way.

"He was supposed to come last week, but he's just too busy," Nguyen said.

The on-the-go customer was none other than Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who is in town for his much-anticipated wedding Friday night to New York businesswoman Carole Rome.

Nguyen said he also sold the governor his fiancee's sapphire and diamond engagement ring last summer.

"I know him a long time," Nguyen said. "I know his family well. His father is my doctor and my customer too."

In spite of the business ties, Nguyen said he did not receive a coveted invitation to the wedding.

"I think that they don't have room for me," Nguyen laughed.

As high profile as the wedding is, the couple is keeping the affair down to earth. They're using hometown companies for everything from jewelry to flowers to invitations. The wedding will take place in Crist's childhood church, St. Petersburg United Methodist Church.

"The Crist family has been in this church for four generations, and Gov. Crist grew up here," said Senior Pastor David Miller.

Miller said he met with Crist and Rome to discuss their wedding vows and upcoming marriage. While there's a lot of anticipation leading up to the wedding event, he said Florida's future first couple is taking their commitment seriously.

"They were very interested in having this be in their home church as well as an opportunity to have God bless their vows," Miller said. "They're very excited about being married and they have focused in the right direction."

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