Journalism of Courage
Latvians attempted a new world record for the largest simultaneous airborne mass wedding by hosting the Love Cup 2016 on Valentine's Day, in which couples from all age groups braved the harsh weather to get hitched mid-air. (Source: Reuters)
Couples arrive to get married in hot air balloons during the 'Love Cup 2016' festival on Valentine's Day in Jekabpils, Latvia on February 14, 2016. Organisers said 50 couples in 30 hot air balloons participated in the event in an attempt to set a Guinness world record for the largest airborne wedding. (Source: Reuters)
Soon to be hitched couples arrive for their airborne wedding. Organisers said 50 couples in 27 hot air balloons participated in the event in an attempt to set a Guinness world record for the largest airborne wedding. (Source: Reuters)
A marriage official and a couple wait to get onto a hot air balloon during the Love Cup 2016 festival. The record was applied for under the title of 'Largest Airborne Wedding'. (Source: Reuters)
A couple — dressed in proper balloon-ride gear — arrive to take part in the Love Cup 2016 event, and be a part of a new world record in the process. A Guinness official was present during the event. (Source: Reuters)
Battling the cold, a smiling couple arrives dressed for the occasion of Love Cup 2016. The couples turned up despite the harsh weather. (Source: Reuters)
A hot air balloon — hosting a soon-to-be married couple and a marriage official — takes off in the air. The couples in attendance had to wait for a long time due to the weather. (Source: Reuters)
Newlyweds wave from a hot air balloon. Some participants turned up despite a fear of heights. (Source: Reuters)
Newlyweds show off their wedding rings in a hot air balloon. (Source: Reuters)
Hot air balloons take off with couples who registered for airborne weddings. The daredevilry isn't restricted to just the young. The registered couples belong to various age groups. (Source: Reuters)
Newlyweds kiss in a hot air balloon during the 'Love Cup 2016' festival on Valentine's Day. (Source: Reuters)
Hot air balloons rise up in the air with couples wishing to get married airborne. The youngest bride is 19 years old, whereas the oldest couple to get hitched is already in their 70s. (Source: Reuters)
A heart-shaped hot air balloon released into the sky for Love Cup 2016, ahead of Valentine's Day on February 13, 2016. The festival brought together 30 leading air balloon pilots, including Leonid Tjuhtajevs — an eight time world record holding hot air and gas balloon pilot. (Source: Reuters)
Love Cup 2016 also gathered a large crowd of onlookers who cheered for the couples as they rose higher. (Source: AP)
