By Maddy Vitale
It will soon be “I do, Part II,” for the first wedding vow renewal ceremony in Sea Isle City, to be held at Excursion Park on Saturday, Sept. 8.
Married couples who met, fell in love or are spending their “Happily Ever After” in Sea Isle or have another connection to the family resort may take part in the special celebration led by Mayor Leonard Desiderio at noon.
So far, there are a dozen couples registered to participate. There is still time for other couples to register.
“We are expecting a very nice mix of happy couples from those who were married recently, to others who have been married more than 50 years,” said Sea Isle Public Information Officer Katherine Custer. “As you know, love has no expiration date.”
Desiderio is the perfect person to officiate, especially since he is cheerful on any given day, Custer noted.
“I am certain he will make it a memorable and joyful experience for the participants. He has personally officiated weddings in the past, one of the happy tasks of being a mayor,” she said. “However, this is the first time Sea Isle City is having this type of large wedding vow renewal ceremony, as far as we can remember.”
The idea came about from Don Laricks, of Laricks Real Estate, who approached the mayor with the concept.
“He thought it would appeal to the many people who met their spouse, fell in love, or were married in Sea Isle City,” Custer said. “The mayor thought it would also be nice to open this event to anyone who has shared happy memories with their spouse in Sea Isle as well, so any couple with a connection to Sea Isle, is invited to participate.”
But what should the couples wear?
For a shore town, where comfortable clothing, flip flops and shorts are the usual summer attire, it is really up to the couples if they want to dress up for the renewal ceremony and go all out in tuxedos and gowns or stick to the basics to renew their nuptials.
“There is no required dress code,” Custer said. “We will have to wait and see what people decide to wear, but it is up to them.”
Couples wishing to participate in this free event are asked to register by emailing their names and phone numbers to sicpublicrelations@seaislecitynj.us. Couples may also register by calling 609-263-8687 ext. 103.
