SOME 2,023 couples in Bacolod City will tie the knot Saturday, March 11, in the "You and Me sa 2023" mass wedding at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) grounds.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said he is now ready to solemnize the wedding with the special guest, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos at about 2 p.m.
The original schedule of the mass wedding was on February 14. It was rescheduled for March 3, then moved to March 11.
Benitez said they registered at least 2,074 couples, but they will stick to 2,023 couples only to coincide with the year 2023, and those who will not be accommodated can join in the next mass wedding activity of the city.
On March 3, a special mass wedding was held at the lobby of BCGC, which was attended by 28 couples, who were part of the 2,074 couples who were registered by the Civil Registrar Office.
"We held the special mass wedding because they were already prepared, and some of them are in the final trimester to give birth," Benitez said.
He said a lot of preparations are being made because of the number of participants and that they are looking at a crowd of not less than 16,000 people at the BCGC grounds.
He added that there are surprises waiting for the couples aside from the standard giveaways given by the city to the newlyweds.
The mayor disclosed that police personnel will be deployed to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and the peace and order at BCGC.*