World record set in Kalamazoo for most marriage-vow renewals

By Madison Bennett | MLive

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Guinness has a new record -- thanks to 1,201 couples who renewed their wedding vows Saturday in Kalamazoo.

Western Michigan University organized the mass gathering outside Heritage Hall on East Campus as part of its homecoming activities.

A Guiness World Record official on site certified the new world record -- breaking the previous feat of 1,087 couples renewing their vows at Miami University in Ohio in 2009.

Kristina and Jason Raleigh met 10 years ago at WMU, almost to the day, on Oct. 12.

"We decided to come do this to commemorate that milestone in our relationship," Kristina Raleigh said.

Couples dressed in Western Michigan gear and even donned veils, white dresses and tuxes to celebrate their marriages.

WMU President John Dunn and his wife, Linda Dunn, were among the many couples to renew their vows.

The group included couples from the U.S., Canada and Japan and a couple from the WMU class year of 1943, university officials said.

Renee Pearl, director of engagement for WMU, said the university had been planning the event since January.

"As far as we know, this is one of the first large group world records held in Kalamazoo," Pearl said. "Plus it's a great point of pride for our university to have so many Broncos and fans of Broncos to come out and participate."

The ceremony was officiated by Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell. Afterward, participants celebrated with champagne and wedding cake.

Jimmy Coggins, an official Guinness World Record judge, was on site to count couples and review marriage certificates.

Once Coggins reviewed all the required materials, he presented WMU officials with a certificate stating that they are now the Guinness World Record holders for most vows renewed at one place, in one time.

Participants were invited to take part in a nearby tailgate hosted by the university following the event. The WMU Bronco football team faced Northern Illinois at Waldo Stadium Saturday evening.

"As I saw on a T-shirt over there, we married the first time for love and the second time to set a world record," said Wayne Kruger, who renewed his vows with his wife of nearly 36 years on Saturday. 

This post originally appeared Oct. 9, 2016 on MLive.com.