Young locals woo each other with traditional songs.

A total of 20 couples participated in a group wedding in a village located within Beichuan Qiang Ethnic Minority Autonomous County on April 26. Most of those who took part had lost a spouse in the devastating earthquake that struck last year. The eldest bridegroom was over 60 years old.

Close to where the wedding was being held, several booths had been set up and business was brisk for the locals who were busy selling caps, aprons, bags and various other knick knacks. The wedding also attracted a large contingent of journalists to the village.

As children chased each other around while others played with ribbons scattered on the red carpet, it became clear that the life in the earthquake zone has started to improve.


A cute local girl.


From 7am, brides began putting on make-up.


A bride all dressed up in her wedding dress.


A beautiful young bride.


Twenty couples take part in the group wedding.


A nervous couple prepare to wed.


A happy couple smile for the camera.


Friends and relatives laugh together


The kids also get the chance to dress up and have fun.


Every couple attracted a lot of media attention.


The wedding ceremony attracted media from around the country and abroad.