Mass wedding in Indonesia
In one swoop, 3,500 couples will join in matrimony. The event is the brainchild of local authorities. The purpose is to help poor couples who might not otherwise be able to afford the cost of getting married.

Jakarta (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Some 3,500 have-not couples have opted for an unusual way of getting married in West Halmahera Regency, Indonesia.

Regent (District Chief) Namto Hui Roba said a date for the mass wedding has yet to be set, but it will be registered with the Indonesian Records Museum, the local version of the Guinness World Records.

"The weddings aim to show the local government's commitment to helping the poor, who would otherwise not be able to afford the cost," Namto said.

Once carried out the ceremony will set a new Indonesian record; the old was set recently at 2,146 couples in Central Kalimantan province.