Lima hosts mass civil wedding

More than 100 couples solemnized their unions in Lima at the city’s first collective civil wedding of the year, staged at the Magic Water Circuit as a public celebration timed before Valentine’s Day. The Lima Metropolitan Municipality organized the event to lower barriers to civil marriage, combining the required legal formalities with festive services including group photography, a communal cake and complimentary makeup for brides.

All couples completed documentation in advance so municipal officials could register marriages efficiently on site and conduct simultaneous civil vows. Participants represented diverse ages and socioeconomic backgrounds; several said financial constraints or delayed paperwork had kept their relationships informal until the municipality’s consolidated ceremony made marriage affordable and straightforward. Family members and friends filled the venue to cheer as rings were exchanged and newlyweds posed before a decorative backdrop.

Officials framed the collective wedding as part of an ongoing municipal program to streamline civil registration, reduce administrative costs and extend legal protections to more families. By holding mass ceremonies around significant dates, the city accelerates processing for many couples at once and fosters a communal atmosphere that emphasizes social cohesion. Organizers highlighted practical benefits—legal recognition, simplified paperwork and lower expenses—as well as symbolic ones: shared vows that strengthen neighborhood ties and public affirmation of commitment.

Following the formal proceedings, the newly married couples participated in celebratory activities: balloon releases, music and dancing, and coordinated photo sessions capturing groups of spouses together. Volunteers and staff assisted with logistics, ensuring smooth transitions between registration booths, the ceremony stage and reception areas. The public setting encouraged interaction among participants, some of whom met peers during preparations and rehearsals, reinforcing a sense of solidarity.

The municipal initiative addresses broader social aims, including promoting family stability and inclusive civic participation. Local authorities noted that collective weddings are especially beneficial for couples who lack resources for private ceremonies or face bureaucratic hurdles. By consolidating multiple unions into a single event, the city reduces paperwork backlogs and provides an economical alternative to costly individual ceremonies.