Hundreds Flock to Arkansas Field for Mass Wedding During Solar Eclipse
“It just seems like the coolest wedding that you could ever have,” one bride said.
Getty Images/Mario Tama
Hundreds of couples have flocked to Arkansas to say “I do” just before daytime turns to darkness during Monday afternoon’s total solar eclipse—a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” that’ll be held in the middle of a rural field.
The event, Total Eclipse of the Heart, promised on its website to offer “astro-loving” couples a chance to wed—for free—just before the sun fully slides behind the moon and creates approximately four minutes of total darkness there.
The lovebirds have convened on Russellville, Arkansas, for the unique eloping—a town of 30,000 between Fayetteville and Little Rock that’s squarely in the middle of the eclipse’s totality zone.
Event organizers said that it would provide a wedding officiant, decorations, flowers, a wedding cake, and a sparkling wine for the couples to celebrate. Couples were asked only to show up with a marriage license and bring their own attire.
Organizers said the mass ceremony will conclude a few minutes before the solar eclipse reaches totality, allowing the couples to not have to miss a single second while they say their vows and smooch.
Family and friends are allowed to attend, but must buy an admission ticket that grants them access to the ceremony and to the ensuing celebration, which includes concerts.
Rodney Williams, an event organizer, told KATV that the event exploded in popularity with nearly 300 couples from across 22 states signing up in advance.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
One bride, Carlotta Cox, told the local TV news station 40/29, “It just seems like the coolest wedding that you could ever have.”
“I think the emotions from seeing the eclipse take place are just going to be a synergistic effect that heightens everything and brings tears to the eyes,” Williams told KATV. “Seeing the smiling faces and hopefully seeing stars and just being a part of that is going to make me happy.”
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.