Ready to say “I do” but not ready to spend thousands of dollars on a wedding?
Okanagan event specialist Dee Cristante has announced she is hosting what she describes as the largest mass group wedding celebration in the Okanagan.
Up to 100 brides and grooms will say “I do” over Thanksgiving weekend at Mackie Lake House in Coldstream, B.C.
Cristante described the origin of the idea, saying it stems from her time travelling along the French Riviera.
“There was this crowd of people, along the beach side, and I want to say there were probably at least 20 couples standing on the beach getting married,” she said.
Cristante said she had never experienced anything like it.
“It was incredibly beautiful,” she said. “I did some digging and apparently it was quite a spiritual ground.”
She said the mass wedding event could help reduce the costs of planning and hosting a wedding, adding that COVID-19 affected couples’ finances.
Wedding packages start at $500 and include the venue, planning services, the officiant signing, presentation of a wedding cake cutting for photo opportunities, photography, drone service and videography. The weekend will also include local caterers, beverage stations and social media influencers.
“I wanted to create a community event where the public would come,” Cristante said. “It would be a lot of fun and also a bit of a wedding fashion show and give brides and grooms an opportunity for a minimum cost to be part of a really special day.”
An officiant will guide couples through their customary vows in front of a live and social media audience. Before the couple is pronounced “husband and wife,” ring exchanges will take place.
Each couple will be formally introduced to the audience before their procession down the catwalk.
Cristante said she hopes many couples will take part.
“I encourage all of those couples who are thinking about getting married, who have been procrastinating about getting married to sign up,” she said.
“It’s going to be a great day.”
