First sellout. First hit. First victory.

Another first was celebrated on Thursday morning before the Cardinals-Phillies game -- the first wedding.

Sgt. Thomas Miller of the U.S. Army infantry received permission from the Phillies to marry fiancee Angela Baldwin at 11 a.m. ET in Ashburn Alley, overlooking left field.

Miller, who hails from Phillipsburg, N.J., is a lifelong Phillies fan who is being deployed to Iraq in September. Since joining the Army at the age of 18, it's the fourth time he's been deployed, with two previous stops in Kuwait and one in Iraq.

When the couple wrote an e-mail to the Phillies on April 4, they were stunned to soon learn that their request would be granted.

"It was a spectacular, spectacular day," said Baldwin, who is from Wichita, Kan. "I couldn't have asked for anything more."

Reverend Richard Sparling, the Phillies' chaplain, conducted the ceremony in front of about 40 family members and friends, as well as many Phillies fans watching in the background.

"It was a spectacular, spectacular day," Baldwin

After the ceremony, the newly married couple was greeted with a huge hug by the Phillie Phanatic, dressed in a tuxedo.

"I never thought this was going to happen here, because I never thought we would get permission," said Baldwin, now Angela Miller. "It was just great. If the Phillies beat the Cardinals, it will cap the day."

Miller realized many brides would want a traditional wedding in a church. He said he was thrilled how his fiancee reacted when he mentioned the idea to her.

"She was all for it," Miller said. "She couldn't have been happier."

Many of the guests were dressed in Phillies hats, shirts and jerseys. The whole family has followed the Phillies for as long as they can remember.

"It would be an even greater day if the Phillies win," said Fred Milford, Miller's uncle. "The day will already be great with the wedding."

A familiar sound could also be heard during the wedding from Phillies organist Paul Richardson.

"It's been about seven or eight years since I played for a wedding at the ballpark at Veterans Stadium," Richardson said. "What a beautiful day to have a wedding. This might be a new trend here. I'm delighted to be participating with this. The great weather should be a good omen for this wonderful young couple."

The couple will watch the game with family and friends before leaving Thursday night for their honeymoon in Atlantic City, N.J.

They want to cherish every moment together before Miller is deployed to defend his country in Iraq.

"I thought I was going to be leaving for Iraq sooner, but it turned out it was pushed back to September," he said. "It works out well for us."

His wife said a married couple also has a better chance to stay in touch while he's in Iraq.

"Wives are much more informed," she said. "Fiancees and girlfriends don't always get the same information as wives. I'll be involved more and know what's going on with Tom while he's gone."

For now, they're going to celebrate their marriage.

"I'm so happy with everything and how it all worked out," she said. "It's a gorgeous day out. We'll have some cake, champagne and watch the Phillies. It's great."