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Miami University broke a world record this summer, but it may take three to six months before it's confirmed by Guinness World Records and makes it to the books.
During Alumni Weekend, 1,087 couples took part in the "Merger Moment" June 20 by renewing their wedding vows near the Upham Arch. This set a new record for the highest number of wedding vow renewals at a single time.
The previous record stood at 624 couples.
Raymond Mock, assistant vice president of alumni relations, said Miami submitted the necessary information and is waiting for Guinness to review the materials to ensure the new record is legitimate.
"We were well ahead of record and are confident it will be authenticated," Mock said.
Brad Bundy, associate vice president for university advancement, said preparations went well during the week leading up to Alumni Weekend.
Throughout that week, faxes of marriage certificates flooded the offices inside Murstein Alumni Center, said Jennifer Clark, director of alumni membership and marketing.
"Faxes flew off the machine, we had someone constantly refilling it with paper," Clark said.
Couples that renewed their vows June 20 were required to fax or bring a copy of a marriage certificate as proof, a stipulation set by Guinness.
The ceremony began with six men of the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) marching to create a traditional arch of swords.
Stephanie Hieber (formerly Reid), half of the newest Miami Merger, was driven to the arch in a black Ford Model T. Stephanie and Nick Hieber, both from the class of 2009 and married the previous day in the Sesquicentennial Chapel, then signed their marriage certificate while a trumpet played.
Oxford Mayor Prue Dana officiated the ceremony for the more than 1,000 couples.
Couples given special recognition included President David Hodge and his wife Valerie, as well as Miami's oldest Mergers: Robert (class of 1938) and June (class of 1939) Frame.
"It made Alumni Weekend special for the bicentennial year," Clark said. "It was wonderful to see so many Miamians."
Among those that renewed vows were Miami Mergers, Miami Acquisitions (alumni married to non-alumni), Miami faculty, parents and friends.
Clark said when it came time for everyone to kiss, David and Valerie Hodge led a countdown, and students in the upper level floors of Upham Hall released red and white confetti.
Clark said Stephanie Hieber was the only woman in a wedding dress, although some women wore their original wedding veils.
Clark added that she saw a man wearing a tuxedo and red tie.
Prior to the ceremony, the Oxford Kroger distributed 200 carnations, Fabulous Bridal Boutique in Covington, Ky., supplied members of the crowd with wedding bubbles, and Carillon Catering passed out cupcakes.
Each couple received a $10-off coupon for a stay at Marcum Conference Center and Miami Inn.
Merger Moment T-shirts were also sold, and Clark said the shirts were sold out.
Bundy, himself a Miami Merger, contributed to the record breaking.
"It was a really cool, great moment," Bundy said. "It was arguably the highlight of Alumni Weekend. It was the largest gathering of alumni ever."
