Save the date — 08.08.08.
Many couples — in Casper and around the world — will marry on Aug. 8, 2008.
This date, considered to be one of the luckiest dates ever according to some cultures, will be marked in history by extravagant celebrations, quaint country weddings, and quicky Vegas nuptials.
In 2007, tens of thousands of couples around the world opted for a July 7 wedding. And this year, tens of thousands more will join together in holy matrimony just as the 2008 Summer Olympics begin.
Kristy Amend and Derek Kellch of Casper are getting married on the coveted date because “my fiance is a male and he didn’t want to forget our anniversary, and that’s a hard day to forget” Amend said. Kellch chose the date because it was the closest weekend day to the day they began dating, Aug. 5.
Amend said she’s not aware of a frenzy for florists or reception sites in the area, but she does know of at least one other couple getting married right after she does.
Another Casper couple, Wendi Hopkins and Bob Elsen, decided to go to Hopkins’ hometown in Nebraska to get married on Aug. 8.
Elsen races motorcross, and, because his name is Bob, his racing number is 808.
“It looks like Bob, so that’s why I chose it for racing,” Elsen said. “And I was kind of joking when I said ‘let’s get married on 8.08,’ but it is kind of significant to us.”
All the symbolism related to the date doesn’t hold much significance to the couple, he said, but “a lot of people talk about that stuff as their reason.”
Popular Casper venues are preparing for the big day. But no one is more prepared than Charolotte Richards, owner of the Little White Chapel, Las Vegas’ most popular spot.
Complete with a wedding drive-thru and eight other locations, the Little White Chapel will host more than 200 planned weddings in addition to countless unplanned weddings on Aug. 8.
A special 08.08.08 wedding package — for $88.88, of course — includes the chapel, wedding music, a minister, eight flowers for the bride, eight photographs of the wedding, and 8 candy kisses.
“They get the candy kisses in a pretty little bag, but our prayer is that they’ll get 888 trillion kisses throughout the rest of their lives,” Richards said.
Many of the 24-hour chapel’s weddings will take place at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., but the ceremonies can begin right at midnight, she said.
Those wedding on the special day can purchase gold-colored T-shirts displaying the phrase “infinity is ours” with the date. The symbol for infinity looks like an eight laid on its side.
“I know a lot of people just want to get married because of the date,” Richards said, “I want it to be for their love. The number eight is God’s endless number. This is going to be a lot of fun.”
And yes, an Elvis impersonator will be available to officiate.
Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0589 or megan.lee@trib.com
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