Couple Will Say ‘I Do’ on Rose Float

Two betrothed college students were chosen Saturday to take their wedding vows on a Rose Parade float in front of 350 million television viewers and spectators.

Carie Humphries, 21, and Ron Simms, 23, were named winners of the Most Romantic Couple in Southern California contest.

“We wanted to show how much we love each other, and what better way than to get married in front of the whole world,” said Simms, of Los Alamitos.

They will exchange their vows on a float moving along the route of the 100th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on Jan 2.

The float is sponsored by the venerable Huntington Hotel and Cottages in Pasadena, which co-sponsored the contest with a bridal magazine, a radio station and a department store chain.

Humphries, a junior at Cal State Long Beach, and Simms, studying at Los Angeles College of Chiropractic in Whittier, also win $50,000 in prizes, including a honeymoon in France.

While there’s only room on the float for seven--the couple, Humphries’ minister-grandfather, a best man, maid of honor and two flower girls--a reception for family and friends will follow.

Even though so many people will be watching, the couple aren’t too nervous about getting married atop a moving chapel.

“I think I can keep my balance,” said Humphries.