70 couples from Israel tie the knot in Larnaca — CyprusMail

SEVENTY couples from Israel were married in a mass civil ceremony Friday evening at the medieval castle in Larnaca, a popular location for the joyous event for the newlyweds-to-be from the neighbouring country.

This is the fifth year in a row the municipality has been hosting mass civil marriages in cooperation with the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company and Israel-based tour operator, Natan Uretsky.

The couples, mainly Israelis and Russians, accompanied by around 200 guests, arrived at Larnaca port on board a cruise ship from Haifa, and were welcomed by girls in Cypriot folk dresses, who handed each bride a bouquet, accompanied by live traditional music. Most of the couples expressed the wish to be taken to the wedding venue in antique cars, while others chose to be transferred by horse baggies.

A reception followed the ceremony, despite the fear of unexpected showers, the municipality said, where all couples received commemorative gifts from the mayor.

«Each year, the ceremony receives large promotion in Israel, and it is widely covered by international electronic media, and this contributes to the establishment of Larnaca as a wedding destination, maximising our promotion as a tourist destination,» the municipality said.