Some women wore elegant dresses and some men wore tuxedos, though several couples turned out decidedly in more casual attire, not an unusual sight at Lincoln Center in New York.
Either way, the atmosphere on Saturday night escaped the routine as faux flowers hung from balconies as brides—yes, brides—carried bouquets of roses and wildflowers in a bustling room full of excited couples.
In total, some 700 came to the emblematic site in New York City to profess their love, regardless of whether they had been doing so for a short time or a long time.
Some exchanged their vows for the first time while others like Hazel Seivwright-Carney and her husband Rohan Carney came to renew them after they ran away together many years ago to the chagrin of their families.
“When we left 28 years ago, my mother didn’t get a chance to see us get married,” the bride said.
On Saturday, her mother, who declined to comment, waited patiently in the humid atmosphere for the start of the wedding to finally see her daughter exchange vows with the love of her life.
It was only the second year of what could become an annual event at the Lincoln Center.
After so many weddings were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, representatives of the center thought the event could help couples reunite after the boredom of COVID-19 due to months of lockdowns.
None of the marriages were legally required. More than 500 couples participated last year.
The overwhelming success of last year convinced the organizers to repeat it.
“We started doing this last year, shortly after the pandemic, and we thought it was time for us to come together,” said Shanta Thake, the center’s artistic director.
“There was so much to be sad about and regret. It was also important that we had these rituals together.”
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