Dozens tie the knot in hot air balloon

INDONESIA: A hot air balloon set the stage for 20 couples who tied the knot in a mass wedding ceremony held in the South Sumatran capital of Palembang on Saturday.

Each couple said their wedding vows in the giant balloon at an altitude of 15 meters.

"We are very happy to have finally legalized our marriage, although we were quite nervous as we made it at the height of over 10 meters," one of the brides, Susetyo, 40, told Antara state news agency.

Susetyo said she married Marjuna, 38, about 14 years ago under Islamic law. They now have four children.

Lack of funds kept Susetyo and other poverty-stricken couples from seeking legal marriage certificates.

Susetyo said he immediately registered himself and his wife with the organizers of the free mass-wedding service, which was sponsored by a local tobacco brand. - JP