World record set as 1,201 couples renew wedding vows

KALAMAZOO, MI -- They marched in arm and arm, hand in hand or at least heart to heart.

The happy couples, 1,201 in all, went to Western Michigan University this weekend to renew their wedding vows and to become part of something pretty special: a new world record.

The event, which brought couples to the university from around the world, beat the previous record by 114 couples, WWMT-TV reports.

The Guinness World Records organization said the previous record holder was Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, which saw 1,087 couples renew their wedding vows in June 2009.

WMU alum and Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell officiated the ceremony, and a Guinness World Record judge was on hand to witness the event.

Event organizer Renee Pearl said the ceremony was an emotional one.

"It was a great day to have so many Broncos together at one time to celebrate their love, celebrate their connection to Western and to be together," Pearl said.