21 to tie the knot in mass wedding

Butch Braga, chairman of the Mass Wedding 2004, said that while most pairs are Filipinos, there are also mix marriages with some Filipina brides-to-be marrying Indians and Europeans. The 21 couples attending the 10th edition of the mass wedding are aged between 21 and 45 years. Some couples had already been married in civil law and have decided on a church wedding.

“We are currently putting the finishing touches to this event. The couples have also attended the marriage preparation course,” she said.

They had been asked to furnish their baptismal certificates and a ‘no objection certificate’ for marriage signed by their local parish priest in Manila or in their hometown. As early as June, active Filipino parishioners of St Mary’s Church in Dubai started preparing for the grand event. There is an ongoing fund-raising campaign to support the expenses to be incurred in the mass wedding.

The couples will have a minimum 16-member entourage, and they will be provided with sets of wedding invitations, souvenirs bridal bouquets, video and photo coverage that will be free of cost.

“Earlier, the couples were only present during the marriage preparation course, the rehearsal and their wedding day. This year, we involve them to give value to the preparations. The emphasis is on the spiritual side of the sacrament,” Ms Braga said.

The project aims to help couples fulfil their social obligations as well as lessen the burden brought about by the long list of expenditures associated with wedding ceremonies.