Taichung City's annual Citizen Group Wedding is taking romance to new heights this year! Breaking away from the traditional wedding ceremony, the Taichung City Government has adopted the theme "Love Begins in Taichung, Romance Above the Clouds" and, for the first time, partnered with an airline to launch the nation's first in-flight group wedding. A total of 66 couples will depart from Taichung International Airport on a special "Happiness Flight" bound for Okinawa, Japan, where they will exchange vows at an altitude of 10,000 feet, creating unforgettable memories of a lifetime. Speaking at a press conference on July 13 on behalf of Mayor Lu Shiow-yen, Wu Shih-Wei, Director of the Taichung City Government Civil Affairs Bureau, announced that online registration is open through August 14. Selected couples will receive round-trip airfare for two to Okinawa and are encouraged to apply.

The launch event was held at the first floor of the Hui-Jhong Building of the Taichung City Hall on Taiwan Boulevard. Director Wu and representatives of sponsoring organizations jointly pushed a ceremonial aircraft control yoke symbolizing the beginning of a joyful journey, as streamers and balloons soared into the air to officially launch this year's group wedding. The Civil Affairs Bureau explained that this year's key visual embraces the aviation theme. An aircraft window symbolizes couples looking toward the future together, while the gradient heart-shaped clouds outside represent love blossoming beneath blue skies and flourishing above the clouds. Flowing lines inspired by birds and wings evoke an aircraft soaring through the sky, symbolizing couples embarking on a happy new chapter with the blessings of the city government.

Director Wu noted that the group wedding will be held on October 20. The city government will accompany 66 couples on a flight to Okinawa, Japan, where Mayor Lu will officiate the wedding ceremony during the flight, creating a truly distinctive in-flight wedding and encouraging young people to embrace marriage through an innovative celebration. The event is open to couples who complete their marriage registration between January 1 and August 31 this year. Participants will be selected through a public drawing. The city government will subsidize the couples' round-trip airfare, while accommodation, meals, and other expenses in Okinawa will be borne by the couples themselves. Director Wu also expressed his appreciation to the airline for coordinating seat arrangements, as well as to Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin, Lin Ting-chao, Chairperson of the Research, Development and Evaluation Commission, and the sponsoring companies and temples whose joint support made this romantic journey possible.

According to the Civil Affairs Bureau, 66 couples will be invited aboard the "Happiness Flight." Couples who complete their marriage registration between January 1 and August 31 this year, with at least one spouse having household registration in Taichung City, are eligible to apply. Online registration will be accepted from 12:00 noon on July 13 through August 14. If more than 66 couples apply, a public drawing will be held on August 19. The list of selected couples will be announced by August 26, and eligibility verification will be completed by September 5. Selected couples will depart from Taichung International Airport on October 20 aboard the Happiness Flight to Okinawa, Japan, where they will begin an unforgettable romantic journey together.

The Civil Affairs Bureau added that the successful organization of this year's event was made possible through the generous support of local temples and businesses, including Da Ho Enterprise Co., Ltd., Yongxing Temple, Min Feng Industrial Co., Ltd., Ji Fu Enterprise Co., Ltd., Taichung Nantian Temple, Feng Chia Feng Fu Fude Shrine, Ding Daya Fude Association, Taichung Chenghuang Temple, Taichung Wanhe Temple, Taichung Xingxiu Temple, Fengyuan Letian Temple, and Feng Hsin Steel Co., Ltd., all of which joined together in extending their blessings and witnessing one of life's most memorable milestones.

The Civil Affairs Bureau added that applicants must upload copies of both sides of each partner's national identification card when registering. If either partner is a foreign national, a duly authenticated certificate of marital status must also be submitted. For more information and registration details, please visit the website of the 2026 Taichung City Citizen Group Wedding( https://taichungwedding2026.com.tw/ ).