Lori Lycans and Tom Wissinger watch the eclipse at "Elope at the Eclipse" in Tiffin, Ohio, before getting married during totality.
Maddie McGarvey/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
Many parts of the US experienced a total solar eclipse on Monday.
Towns in the eclipse's path of totality hosted wedding ceremonies during the event.
Couples in Ohio and Arkansas exchanged vows before the moon completely covered the sun.
A wedding day is always a special occasion, but for couples who got married during the total solar eclipse on April 8, the rare astronomical event added another level of excitement.
Towns in Ohio and Arkansas located within the path of totality hosted mass wedding ceremonies for couples who wanted to seize the moment and wed during the eclipse.
Photos show how the eclipse's festive atmosphere and dramatic lighting made for a special wedding experience.
On April 8, the moon passed between the Earth and the sun, blocking the sun's light in a total solar eclipse.
Totality is seen during the solar eclipse in Trenton, Ohio.
In Russellville, Arkansas, 350 couples participated in a mass wedding event aptly named Total Eclipse of the Heart.
A bride and groom look out at hot air balloons before a planned mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival on April 8, 2024, in Russellville, Arkansas.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
The festival featured hot air balloons, live music by Beatles tribute band The Liverpool Legends, and even flowers and a wedding cake for the newlywed couples, according to the event's official website.
Country singer Craig Wayne Boyd, who won season seven of "The Voice," officiated the ceremony.
Country singer Craig Wayne Boyd (center) poses with a newlywed couple at Total Eclipse of the Heart in Russellville, Arkansas.
Total Eclipse of the Heart in Russellville
"I am told 'Elope at the Eclipse' is set to be the largest group wedding in the history of Arkansas," Boyd said in a statement provided to Business Insider. "Being part of the start to so many couples' journeys at the same time is a check off the ole bucket list I never could have dreamt of. What an honor!"
The couples exchanged vows minutes before totality.
Couples view the solar eclipse during a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas.
Then, the crowds watched as the sun's light began to dim.
A bride and groom view the solar eclipse amid a darkened sky after marrying at a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Totality in Russellville lasted just 4 minutes and 12 seconds, 4029 News reported.
Couples spent the first few minutes of their married lives together taking in the views of the total solar eclipse.
Couples view the solar eclipse during totality at a mass wedding at the Total Eclipse of the Heart festival in Russellville, Arkansas.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
"The sun and the moon and the Earth have become one, and so have we," a groom told Maggie Rulli of ABC News during totality.
In Tiffin, Ohio, nearly 150 couples attended an "Elope at the Eclipse" event hosted by Destination Seneca County.
Lori Lycans and Tom Wissinger watch the eclipse at "Elope at the Eclipse" in Tiffin, Ohio, before getting married during totality.
Maddie McGarvey/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
Destination Seneca County executive director Bryce Riggs told WEAU 13 News that local officials decided to hold a mass wedding since so many couples registered for marriage licenses in the area.
Local judge Damon Alt, who served as the officiant, made sure the ceremony would last around four minutes — the length of totality.
A couple gets married during "Elope at the Eclipse" in Tiffin, Ohio.
Maddie McGarvey/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
The event also provided live music, champagne, and a wedding cake.
An additional two dozen couples exchanged vows during the eclipse in Trenton, Ohio.
Gerald Lester, right, dances with his new wife, Samantha Palmer, following a wedding ceremony during a total solar eclipse in Trenton, Ohio.
Joshua A. Bickel/AP
The mass wedding ceremony was officiated by Trenton mayor Ryan Perry, NBC News affiliateWLWT5reported.
The couples exchanged rings just before totality at Trenton Community Park.
Couples to be wed exchange rings before the total solar eclipse during a mass wedding ceremony in Trenton, Ohio.
Jon Cherry/AP
In Trenton, the total eclipse lasted just under two minutes.
The ceremony ended with clear views of the premature night sky.
A newlywed couple looks up at a total solar eclipse during a mass wedding ceremony in Trenton, Ohio.
Jon Cherry/AP
"It's something that is different — not your traditional wedding celebration or ceremony," groom Zach Collums told ABC affiliate WCPO Cincinnati.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.