By MADDY VITALE
They say three times is a charm, but perhaps twice is the golden number -- at least in Sea Isle City -- when for a second year in a row the city will host the Annual Wedding Renewal Ceremony.
The celebratory free event is scheduled for noon on Sept. 7 at Excursion Park. It is open to married couples who met, fell in love or are enjoying their “Happily Ever After” in Sea Isle.
Couples are asked to arrive by 11:45 a.m.
Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5.
Kevin and Marianne Scullin, of Sea Isle, renew their vows in 2018.
Mayor Leonard Desiderio said a few words about the ceremony in his Mayor's Message posted on the city website.
“As you may recall, last September I hosted Sea Isle City’s first public Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony, which attracted nearly 80 couples who had a special connection with Sea Isle City.”
Desiderio continued, “Since last year’s ceremony was such a success, we decided to make it an annual event."
Last year, the renewal ceremony was held inside the former Sea Isle public school on Park Road due to rainy weather.
Spouses who would like to take part in this year's ceremony should visit www.VISITSICNJ.com and click on the calendar listing for the event to find the Wedding Vow Renewal Ceremony’s registration form.
Sea Isle Public Information Officer Katherine Custer echoed the mayor’s sentiments about the success of the event.
Desiderio, known for his cheerful nature, will officiate, Custer added.
She also said there will be some familiar faces attending this year’s ceremony.
“Some of the couples who participated in 2018 indicated that they would like to repeat their vows again in 2019, so we're expecting to see some familiar faces as well as new couples who are eager to celebrate their love for one another and Sea Isle City," Custer noted.
Nearly 80 couples renew their love for each other in 2018.
Participants may dress in casual wear or dress up. At last year’s ceremony, some couples dressed in formal wear. Some brides even held bouquets.
The idea for the renewal ceremony came 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 in 2018. “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.”
Couples wishing to participate in this free event are asked to register by visiting www.visitsicnj.com. Forms are also available at the Sea Isle Welcome Center at 300 JFK Boulevard.
Sea Isle's 2nd Annual Wedding Vow Renewal ceremony will be at Excursion Park. (Courtesy visitsicnj.com)
