### 150 Couples to Wed by the Sea; A Total of 5,732 Marriages in Tijuana in 2024
This Saturday, 150 couples will tie the knot in a collective wedding ceremony at the Malecón of Playas de Tijuana. This marks the third collective wedding at this scenic seaside location under the current municipal administration. According to Angélica Félix Domínguez, the No. 1 Civil Registry Officer in Tijuana, the event will be officiated by Mayor Montserrat Caballero Ramírez, who will complete her term in September.
Among the participants, five same-sex couples, eight migrant couples, and 11 senior couples will be saying their vows. “The group is small due to the limited space at El Arco; too many couples could lead to accidents,” noted Domínguez.
The ceremony will take place at the Malecón, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation. However, the ongoing work will not hinder the event, assured the official. Around 600 people are expected to attend, with each couple permitted to invite a maximum of two guests due to space constraints. Hydration stations will be set up to combat the high temperatures anticipated this weekend.
These newlyweds will join the 5,732 couples who have already tied the knot in Tijuana in 2024. In the first six months of the year, 67 same-sex couples also exchanged vows, highlighting a growing trend where LGBTQI+ community members feel more comfortable approaching the Civil Registry.
This is the third collective wedding by the sea and the sixth arranged under this administration, with other ceremonies held on Valentine’s Day. Domínguez reminisced about the first seaside ceremony, where 300 couples participated, leading to a cramped environment. To prevent a repeat, the number has been reduced to 150 couples.
The largest collective wedding under this administration took place in February at the Palenque of Tijuana, uniting 1,600 couples. “The venue was full, and more people kept arriving,” Domínguez recalled, mentioning that eight couples missed the official ceremony due to traffic, leading to a special request from the Mayor to re-conduct the vows briefly.
Marriage requirements include providing birth certificates, CURP, valid ID, premarital exams, medical certificates, and attending premarital counseling. Exceptions are made for common-law couples with children, who need only provide the children’s birth certificates. Foreigners must apostille and translate their documents into Spanish through their embassy or consulate.
“The number of marriages annually exceeds divorces,” said Domínguez. “For instance, while ten divorces may occur, 25 marriages usually take place.”
### Secondary Article: Collective Weddings Continue to Gain Popularity in Tijuana
As collective weddings gain momentum in Tijuana, other regions are also seeing a rise in similar events. Baja California has embraced this trend, with numerous ceremonies scheduled throughout the year, reflecting a societal shift toward more inclusive and supportive marriage practices.
Officials are taking steps to ensure that these events are accessible to a diverse range of couples, including members of the LGBTQI+ community and migrant populations. The emphasis on creating a safe, welcoming environment has led to an increase in participation and a growing confidence among couples to publicly celebrate their relationships.
In addition to Tijuana, other cities are following suit, recognizing the benefits of collective weddings, from logistical ease to the shared joy of a large, communal event. This trend underlines a broader cultural acceptance and the importance of community in celebrating love and commitment.
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