Mass wedding on Amsterdam ring road celebrates city's 750th anniversary

20 couples tied the knot on a closed section of the A10 highway as part of Amsterdam's 750th-anniversary celebrations, attended by some 250,000 people.

Dressed in vibrant hues of pink, purple, and orange, Alexander Leslie and Guno Berkleef joined 19 other couples in exchanging vows on a 15 km stretch of Amsterdam's 32 km A10 ring road on 21/6. The road was closed from the night of 20/6 and reopened in the afternoon of 22/6 for the city's 750th-anniversary festivities.

"I feel like the universe chose us," said 32-year-old Leslie.

Alexander Leslie (left) and Guno Berkleef at their wedding on the A10 highway, Amsterdam, on 21/6. Photo: *AP*

They were among the lucky few chosen by lottery from 400 applicants for the "op de ring" (on the ring) wedding event.

"Destiny led us to this moment," he said, winking at his new husband, whom he met in a nightclub 6 years ago.

For 30-year-old engineer Zuzanna Lisowska, who wore a traditional white dress to marry Yuri Iozzelli, the idea of a highway wedding resonated with her playful nature.

"This is much better than some anonymous administrative office, isn't it?" the Polish engineer laughed, adding that getting married during a city-wide celebration where they first met was "incredibly special."

Crowds dance to music during Amsterdam's 750th-anniversary celebrations on the A10 highway on 21/6. Video: *X/guidoz*

Under the bright sun of the longest day of 2025, the mass wedding took place from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm on 21/6. Each couple had 30 minutes for the ceremony and an hour for a reception before making way for the next. An estimated 250,000 festival attendees cheered on each wedding.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Geralda Wickel, a spectator who stopped to watch. "If you're going to get married, why not on the ring road? As a true Amsterdammer, this is the place to do it."

However, she personally preferred a more romantic setting, like a fairytale castle.

For Dominique and Milan Lisser, a couple from Weesp near Amsterdam, getting married in front of thousands of people and giving press interviews was both strange and exciting.

"I feel like a celebrity," said the 32-year-old groom, dressed in a white suit.

"There are so many people! It's like all of Amsterdam is here," said the 30-year-old bride, wearing a sparkling white dress. "I love the atmosphere. I'm an introvert, but also an extrovert. I like the attention."