A Jordanian couple decided to hold their wedding in an unconventional manner due to the strict precautionary measures in the kingdom that limit the number of attendees at such events, along with the intention to save on wedding costs. The Jordanian Ministry of Health announced a ban on attendance at parties, festivals, and weddings, except for those who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or can provide a negative COVID-19 test result within the last 48 hours.
These strict rules posed significant challenges for the couple in organizing their wedding, especially amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases and the stringent conditions set by the Ministry of Health, along with the skyrocketing wedding costs. This led them to opt for a "virtual" wedding, which they broadcasted via their Facebook page.
The couple explained that the hefty costs of a traditional wedding, along with the pandemic situation, made planning complicated and expensive. Hence, they decided to save time and money by hosting their wedding at home and streaming it live on Facebook. Friends joined in the joy of the couple, who also shared an account number for receiving monetary gifts.
This event gained significant traction on social media in Jordan, with many expressing their admiration for this unique approach. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many young couples in the kingdom have taken advantage of the government's decision to close wedding halls by holding simple celebrations in an effort to save money amidst rising celebration costs.
Despite the reopening of wedding halls five months ago, attendance remains low due to concerns over a significant rise in COVID-19 cases, with approximately 35,000 infections recorded in the first week of this month, marking the highest number of cases registered in the kingdom.
