CAMDENTON, Mo. — Love was in the air... underground, when 209 couples renewed their vows at Bridal Cave on Sunday, Feb. 8.
The event saw a notable increase compared to 2014, when 143 couples renewed their nuptials.
View photos of couples renewing their vows
Licensed Minister J.R. Reiter from New Home Baptist Church officiated the renewal ceremonies after the couples entered the cave chapel room to the “Wedding March.”
Reiter ministered words of wisdom to the couples, encouraging them to treat each other with love and patience. Tears could be seen in the eyes of glowing brides and happy grooms.
Each couple received a fresh flower bouquet from Janine’s Flowers for the bride, a wedding portrait by Lindsey Webster Photography, a goodie bag given by area businesses, as well as a lifetime pass to Bridal Cave, all at no charge.
“This is our way to give back to the community,” Bridal Cave General Manager Steve Thompson said. “We look forward to this every year, it is a highlight.”
According to Thompson, couples at the event came from seven states: Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Iowa and—by far the longest trek—Alaska. All together there were 4,367 years of marriage represented in the room. Out of all the marriages, the couple with the longest tenure had been married 57 years. The newlyweds in the room had only been married one month.
A total of 3,004 couples have said their vows in the cave since the first wedding in 1949.
Next year the wedding vow renewal event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016.
“We expect at least 400 to 500 couples at the 2016 event since it will be on Valentine’s Day,” Thompson said.
