A Match Made in 7th Heaven

Who says June nuptials are best? Every May, wedding bells ring for at least one special TV twosome — after all, nothing says "sweeps" like blushing brides and goofy grooms! On 7th Heaven, the happy couple is Sarah and Matt. There's just one hitch to their getting hitched next month: The lovebirds, played by Sarah Danielle Madison and Barry Watson, secretly eloped back in February!

Oh, and did we mention they're from different religious backgrounds? She's Jewish, he's Protestant and their dads are both clergymen. Uh-oh! "It is a battle from the start to the finish between the Rabbi and [Rev. Camden, who's played by Stephen Collins]," exec producer Brenda Hampton tells TV Guide Online. Natch, after months of tension between these religious papas, she promises their kids' nups will be "beautiful."

The ceremony — airing over two episodes on May 14 and 21 — is also special because it marks Watson's departure from the show. But Hampton, who's begging the teen heartthrob not to exit permanently, holds out hope that Watson will agree to return next season.

"He really enjoys working with [new cast members] Sarah Madison, Richard Lewis and Laraine Newman, and I think he would enjoy continuing that. He likes having a wife [onscreen]... I'm hoping that he enjoyed doing those episodes so much that he'll want to do just a few more for us, if we can get him."

And if Watson refuses? "I would never recast," Hampton assures his fans. "He's family and the show's been on for six years. We just wouldn't do that."