When it comes to weddings we probably have seen it all. From people getting married jumping out of planes and exchanging vows during free fall, to others driving a motorbike at high speed with the priest on the back seat, (well I just made that up, but it is very much possible this happened anyway). Many lovers wanting to exchange vows in holy matrimony are searching for the extra adrenaline kick when they get married.

Gone are the days when man and woman stood in front of a priest promising to care for each other for the rest of their lives. With the uncertainty of relationships these days it is a wonder anyway that not everybody gets a divorce at one time in their lives. In their search for the extra kick, people are doing the weirdest things including quirky marriage celebrations.

A very unusual event took place this last weekend in Santa Ana California. On September 10, 2007 a wedding ceremony took place where 44 rings were exchanged in the process. In a ceremony that was rather long as we can imagine, a priest married seven couples and re-married 15 others.

This event took nearly one full year of planning. The feedback has been great from those who have attended the mass wedding. Besides the 22 brides and the 22 grooms there were around 600 people watching the event as it took place.

Mass weddings are normally popular in countries like Mexico but we seem to see more and more of these popping up around the world.

Back in July 2007 a Buddhist mass wedding made the news after Chief High Priest of Malaysia, the most Venerable K Sri Dhammaratana Maha Nayaka Thera initiated an event to marry 50 couples on Malaysia’s 50th year of Independence Day celebrations.

Mass weddings certainly hold their own for some couples, whether it is for personal, religious or spiritual reasons. This might sound strange for most of us, as our wedding day seems to hold a high rank as being one or even the most important day in any woman’s life.

I don't think that I would partake in such an event. Having been blessed with a beautiful beach ceremony on the golden shores of Australia it is a bit hard to imagine being stuck in a throng of others looking for the approval of the 'holy grail' to seal their relationship.

It seems to me that mass weddings are nothing but a publicity stunt. I'm sure others would disagree on this, but what could possibly be great about being just a number on what's supposed to be the number one day for the ladies?

Posted by Monika.