Celebratory fireworks at weddings cannot compare to getting married during a solar eclipse.
Almost 300 couples are looking forward to getting married on Monday in an Arkansas ceremony, just before the moon perfectly aligns between the Earth and sun, causing parts of North America to go dark.
Get married during the Eclipse in Russellville, Ark., includes all the usual wedding essentials — an official to conduct the ceremony, a cake, and flowers — for free. Couples need to purchase a wedding license and an admission ticket.
Organizer Rodney Williams told KATV in Little Rock this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
”It has exceeded my original expectations,” he said. “I believe the emotions from witnessing the eclipse will amplify the experience and bring tears to the eyes. Seeing the happy faces, hopefully seeing stars, and being part of this will make me happy.”
Officials in Russellville are planning a three-day eclipse festival set to kickoff Saturday. The state is in the path of total darkness, as is Erie, where officials are planning for an onslaught of visitors.
Couples from various states are traveling to Arkansas to get married on Monday. The eclipse is expected to reach its peak there at 1:50 p.m. local time.
One couple, coming from Illinois, signed up for the wedding before even getting engaged, they told KARK in Little Rock.
“We did it backwards,” said Mark Mosbacher, who plans to marry Lonnie Pope.
For some couples, the mass ceremony provides a stress-free, affordable way to get married and create a unique memory from their wedding day. Other couples were looking for eclipse viewing locations in the path of total darkness and stumbled upon the opportunity to get married during the event, they told KHBS in Arkansas.
More on the eclipse
• Pa. Attorney General warns of eclipse glasses scam
• Eclipse education: Western Pa. schools make plans for day of astronomical event
• Sunny snacks for once-in-a-blue-moon eclipse party
• Read many more stories about the eclipse
Couples are coming from New York, Montana and California, and elsewhere in the country, Williams told KHBS.
There’s still time to register at totaleclipserussellville.com/elope.
