Couple renew vows on horseback, recreate 1969 wedding
Albert "Bud" and Connie Murray rode off into the sunset on horseback after getting married 54 years ago, and rode back in on horseback Sunday, June 25.
The couple planned their wedding in just a day after Bud learned he would be deployed in the military. It took them a little longer to plan their vow renewal for Sunday, but they still managed to fulfill Connie's childhood dream of not only getting married on horseback, but renewing their vows on horseback.
"My wife when she was small, she told her mother she wanted to get married on horseback and in blue jeans," Bud said.
The Murrays, who live in Jefferson Township, renewed their vows Sunday afternoon at Montgomery Equestrian Center before dozens of family members and friends. The guests set up their lawn chairs creating an aisle in the middle of the barn. Bud and Connie rode in at 2 p.m. and went through a typical vow-renewal ceremony.
In a letter Connie wrote, she describes how she and Bud had crushes on each other since third grade, which continued through their time in school. Bud enlisted in the military in January 1969, and by June, he had a 30-day leave.
Instead of waiting to get married, Bud and Connie gathered some friends and family and got married in West Virginia on June 26, 1969. Just like Connie always wanted, they got married in blue jeans and on horseback.
“I was on my way to Vietnam,” Bud said. “We got married so that way I could send her an allotment check from the service.”
Bud said the couple each wrote new vows to read to each other Sunday, which celebrated their 54 years of marriage, children and grandchildren. They both wore black jeans as they read their vows to each other on horseback.
"I do and always will cherish the day my horse-riding best friend became my wife," he said to Connie. “By God’s grace I will continue my undying devotion to you.”
Connie shared her husband's sentiments, and both Murrays teared up as they read.
"We’ve shared good times, sad times, accidents and health issues," Connie said. “The birth of our two sons had brought us much joy. I am renewing the commitment we made 54 years ago, promising to be true to you.”
The couple managed to get their horses close enough together to share a kiss after reading their vows. The ceremony’s officiant, Jared Townley, pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Cabot, said it was one of the most unique ceremonies he has officiated.
After the ceremony, Connie said she feels the same now as she did more than five decades ago.
"I feel married," she said with a laugh.
Albert “Bud” Murray and Connie Murray renewed their wedding vows for their 54th anniversary Sunday, June 25 while wearing black jeans and riding horseback at Mister Feed in Winfield Township.
