Churches have been invited to play their part in a world record attempt to have the highest number of couples renewing their wedding vows at the same time.

The Big Promise record attempt plan was unveiled at last night's launch event for Marriage Week 2013 in parliament.

The organisers revealed the world record attempt will be a central part of next year's celebrations.

Richard Kane, founder of Marriage Week, said: "Marriage Week is always finding new ways to encourage couples in their marriages. The Big Promise will allow the whole nation to stand up and celebrate the value of marriage both to the couples taking part, and to society as a whole."

Dave Percival, the Big Promise project co-ordinator, revealed at the event yesterday that the previous record was 1,087 couples set in Miami in 2009.

"We intend to smash that record," he said. "The nation's couples will re-affirm their big promise to each other. It will be about thousands of couples looking intently into each other's eyes and saying together 'we will'. The big promise is coming to a venue near you.

"The occasion will be both serious and huge fun – a bit like marriage really!"

Speakers at the launch event included Harry Benson, communications director at the Marriage Foundation, Baroness Ruth Deech DBE and David Burrowes MP.

Churches, couples and anyone interested in registering to take part in the record-breaking attempt next year should visit the Marriage Week website.