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750 Couples to Say 'I Do' All Over Again

Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony in Pittsburgh Attempts to Set World Record

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 31 PRNewswire-USNewswire — Ground Hog Day will be over. But, it'll be deja-vu all over again as 750 couples gather in Pittsburgh on February 10 to renew their wedding vows.

The media is invited to attend the sold-out event, dubbed "Re-Union: The World's Largest Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony," which is expected to set the Guinness World Record(TM) for the most couples to renew their vows at one time. NOTE: Media interested in covering the event MUST register by Wed., February 6.

The Honorable Luke Ravenstahl will preside over the Sunday evening ceremony. "This Re-Union event coincides perfectly with the City of Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary in 2008," said Mayor Ravenstahl. "I'm absolutely delighted to have the honor of presiding over this special, once-, OK, well maybe in this case, twice-in-a-lifetime occasion."

The event is completely sold out, and the organizers regret that they cannot accommodate those who have not already registered.

The wedding vow renewal ceremony is the brain child of Kitty Julian, director of marketing for Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History and Pittsburgh 250 Committee Member. "Besides potentially setting a new world record, this is just an ideal way for couples to celebrate their love in a meaningful and unusual way, and celebrate Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary themed 'Reunions and Homecomings.'" She said the ceremony was purposefully planned to occur near Valentine's Day, and noted that some women are planning to wear their wedding dresses. Several families are participating together, with parents and their married children, or with siblings and their respective spouses.

The ceremony takes place in the romantic and elegant Carnegie Music Hall, site of about 60 wedding receptions annually.

Couples for the event are being asked to furnish a copy of their marriage certificates. The number of certificates collected will be the determining factor for the attempt to set the Guinness World Record(TM). The current record - 272 couples - was set September 16, 2007, in Sydney, Australia, breaking the previous record of 232 at Orlando Bike Week set in 2002.

In addition to the thrill of potentially setting a new record, the ceremony will be followed by a champagne and wedding cake reception. All couples will receive a commemorative certificate of participation that is suitable for framing, along with a bag full of gifts and special offers.

"Re-Union: The World's Largest Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony" will take place thanks to major sponsors: TWOgether Pittsburgh, one of the most intensive marriage support initiatives in the Pittsburgh area, Great Western Champagne and radio sponsor Star 100.7.

Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History is working on the Re-Union event in partnership with VisitPittsburgh, the official tourism and promotion agency for Allegheny County, which is leading the "Reunion 2008 Initiative" of the Pittsburgh 250th Anniversary Celebration.

Agenda:

6 - 7 pm Participant Sign-In

7:30 pm Ceremony at Carnegie Music Hall Auditorium

8:15 pm Champagne and Cake Reception in Music Hall Foyer

9 pm Close

Location:

Carnegie Music Hall

4400 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

IMPORTANT: MEDIA MUST RSVP TO LEIGH KISH BY WED., FEBRUARY 6.

SOURCE VisitPittsburgh