Up on the stand, three thousand well-dressed family members and friends stretch their necks. Tears flow and a heavy scent of different perfumes is mixed in the afternoon heat. This is definitely the biggest wedding I've been to. I see bridal couples of different ages - some couples seem to have had to wait a long time for this opportunity.

"Fewer young Lebanese can afford to get married"

Mass wedding has become more common in Lebanon as the country's economy deteriorates. Today, fewer and fewer young Lebanese can afford to get married and start a life together.

While we are behind the big stage waiting for the ceremony to start, Walaq Sahari says that she and her fiancé have wanted to get married for a long time. She works as a teacher, and Tony is a military. With the salaries of government employees, it is difficult to save up to the sum that a wedding party costs. At the same time, it was unthinkable to live together without marriage:

"I want children and family," explains Walaq. “So many of our friends move abroad to get jobs. It is most difficult for the young ”.

"Politics and religious affiliation play a big role"

In a country where 18 religious minorities live side by side, politics and religious affiliation play a major role. Mass weddings are organized by various religious congregations and also by political parties.

This wedding is paid for by Catholic billionaire Michel Daher of Zahle, who organizes a gigantic wedding ceremony for young couples from different Christian congregations each year. In addition to the wedding dress and invitations, each couple receives a gift of the equivalent of $ 5000 to their future home.

Just a few weeks before the Christian wedding in Zahle, Shiite Hezbollah - whose armed branch is fighting in civil war in Syria - held a wedding for 31 bride and groom. Earlier this year, a wedding was held with 196 couples sponsored by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Priests of various affirmations read the wedding vows"

Then the church bells ring. Priests of various affiliations - Maronite, Greek Catholic, Armenian Orthodox - read the wedding vows of the bride and groom one by one.

Walaq takes the microphone and it gets quiet. Time stands still for a while. Enough long enough for us all who are there to know how big the moment is.

"Yes," she replies.

The fireworks start and the party can begin.