This past week marked a momentous occasion for more than one reason. Not only did many couples choose to spend an entire lifetime with one another, but they did so during the cosmic event of the century.
Monday, August 21st marked the first contiguous solar eclipse in the United States since 1979. The eclipse spanned from Oregon to South Carolina with a path of totality 70 miles wide.
Although not all areas were completely eclipsed, the spectacle was definitely admired from all onlookers. Several couples looking to add a little something to their big day opted to wed under the moon and sun this week.
A Group Effort
Six different couples took part in a mass solar eclipse ceremony in South Carolina. The Blue Jar Barn in Belton hosted all of the brides and grooms in their beautiful woodsy location.
All of the couples stood at once to recite their vows, and were then individually introduced to the crowd upon the completion of the ceremony.
Newlywed Josh Skierski describes the shared event to an interview with USA Today by saying, “We don’t like to be in the spotlight all that much,” Skierski said, “so it’s like taking the eyes off of us and putting it on the sky and everybody here. It’s nice to come together with total strangers and share this beautiful day with them.”
The Sun, Moon, and Harry Potter
Thomas Brandt and Rachel Sloan decided to make this once-in-a-lifetime event even more unique by adding a few more magical elements.
The Nashville couple became engaged at none other than The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios, Florida. The theme’s inspiration came from the engagement ring itself.
Brandt told WKRN, “I got a custom Quidditch ring made for her and I proposed to her in front of Hogwarts and you know that’s kind of where the theme came from, perfect theme, I think of her when I think of Harry Potter,”
Of course, the whole affair would be incomplete without a bouquet of illustrated spells and invitations listing the required attire as “Wizard.”