On Sunday, February 12th, Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Museum will attempt to break wedding renewal world record.

“Registration is free and open for married couples across the nation; and the stories that we have gotten already are just amazing,” said Ripley’s Believe it or Not! General Manager Kim Kiff. “It’s not only locals but people who call us from Arkansas, Georgia, Colorado and other states, saying that they got married here and that they will come back to renew their vows. They all have a story about St. Augustine.”

Currently, the record number of couples to simultaneously renew their vows is of 1,087 who congregated on June 20th, 2009 in Miami. At Ripley’s in St. Augustine, everyone is ready to challenge that count.

The check-in will begin at noon on February 12. And this time, the couples will walk up the castle, not down the aisle.
The first 40 couples to arrive in their wedding attire will receive VIP placement. “We will start staging people around 1:30pm,” Kiff explained. The first to arrive will be featured on top of the castle. The rest of the couples will be staged along the lower balcony and in the parking area.

During the ceremony, conducted by Ralf Ingwersen, each couple will be named so their renewed I do’s can be heard, while photographers shoot individual and group portraits. The museum also anticipated that as part of the program, couples will take a complimentary train tour along the historic bay front and plaza areas.

Preparations are on the way, from garlands and floral arrangements to the music on the trains. Everything is ready for the big Valentine’s Day in St. Augustine, even the icing on the cake… a masterpiece from Betsy Frazier who will be cooking the largest wedding cake most of us have ever seen. ))

Renewal of vows ceremony. No fee to participate.

Couples should bring proof of marriage and photo ID to present at check-in on February 12, noon. To register, please e-mail the name of the bride and groom along with the state and date of wedding to mock@ripleys.com or visit www.ripleys.com/staugustine