Wed on an all-time high
2006-02-14 11:50
New York - Fourteen couples from Britain, Germany and the United States will say "I do" atop the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day, swelling the exclusive ranks of those married on the New York landmark.
All 14 are winners of an annual competition which draws a huge number of participants from around the world who are looking to put a unique stamp on their wedding day.
The ceremonies - each one lasting 30 minutes - will be held on Tuesday morning in the skyscraper's 80th floor Sky Lobby and include a champagne toast and a visit to the observatory on the 86th floor.
As well as foreigners like Kerstin Weber and Torsten Schulz of Germany, the couples include lovebirds from across the United States, from Texas to Massachusetts.
To join the building's wedding club, couples must write - before November the previous year - explaining why they want to get married there. The winners are chosen on the basis of originality and style.
At 443m, the Empire State is the tallest skyscraper in New York City, following the destruction of the World Trade Centre's twin towers in the September 11 2001 attacks.