June 16, 2007
June is thought to be the most popular month for weddings, but a wedding in a cave?
Yes, a wedding in a cave is almost as popular as a wedding in June. It happens all the time, in Missouri that is.
Not only do we have an abundance of caves in the Show-Me State, (aka the Cave State) but we also have our very own “bridal cave” located near Camdenton on Highway 5. It is also accessible by water at the 10 Mile Marker of the Big Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks.
Each June, brides and grooms begin to beat a path to this cave’s inner sanctum to be married in the midst of limestone “soda straws”, massive stalactites, and stone draperies and columns. The bridal couples, however, never break a sweat as they repeat their vows in the cave’s cool and constant 60-degree temperature.
According to it promotional materials, Bridal Cave is not far from reaching the 2,000-couple wedding mark as brides and grooms travel from around the world to exchange their vows in its stalactite-adorned Bridal Chapel.
So what is all the hype about getting married in a damp, bat-infested cave in the month of June or any other month for that matter?
Cannot speak to that for certain, but I am sure about the beauty of the place. You do not, by the way, need a wedding occasion to enjoy Bridal Cave. I was there on a couple of visits with middle school science club students and found the cave’s scenery spectacular.
As for the brides and grooms, many truly love the ideal wedding setting the cave offers despite the fact that it is a bit damp. But hey, it is a cave.
I suspect that couples want to be married there because the place simply drips (pun intended) with romance and intrigue.
A good number of spelunking lovebirds from nearly everywhere say they want to be married underground in Bridal Cave to create their own version of a legendary Indian wedding ceremony that took place there in the 1800’s, presumably in the summer.
Local folklore explains the attraction.
As the legend goes, the Missouri Osage Indians discovered the pristine beauty that lies beneath Thunder Mountain as well as its maze of secret caves and underground lakes. They found a beautiful, ghostly place. A perfect spot to hide themselves or to hide others. A perfect place to have a wedding.
And so, Bridal Cave got its name from the fate of two young maidens who had been held captive deep within Thunder Mountain in a room now called the Bridal Chapel.
Their story goes something like this.
Conwee, the son of Chief Neongo of the Big Hills Tribe, kidnapped two young Native American maidens, Wasena and Irona. They lived on the north shore of what is now known as Ha Ha Tonka State Park. Wasena, held captive in the cave with Irona, escaped and jumped to her death from what local residents now call “Lover’s Leap”, located high on Thunder Mountain. Anything to avoid marrying someone she did not love!
The other Indian maiden, Irona, happily married one of her captors, Prince Buffalo, in the very cave where she and Wasena had been held. Apparently, she had been in love with her captor for some time, so jumping off the cliff was out of the question for Irona. By all accounts, Irona and Prince Buffalo lived happily ever after. Wasena is thought to haunt the mountain highlands to this day. The cave room in which Prince Buffalo and Irona were married is now the famed Bridal Chapel of Bridal Cave.
Take a leap of faith you betrothed out there and try getting married in a cave. It has to be cheaper, especially in June. The father of the bride will thank you for not emptying his pockets.
I’m serious. No expensive air-conditioned wedding hall will be required. You will need only limited flowers, flashlights instead of expensive candles, a small guest list, practical and simple food and drink, no rice (don’t feed the bats, of course), and bring your own waterproof disposable camera.
What a great wedding deal!
By the way, the chapel is available year round by reservation. Regular tour hours for non-wedding goers including science clubs and everyone else are 9 to 6 in the summer and 9 to 4 in the winter.
Driving directions: take Missouri Highway 5 south from I-70 at Boonville to just north of Camdenton and follow the signs.
