Most of us dream about our future weddings. We think of what it will look like, who will be there and hope it will be one of the happiest day of our lives. In preparation, we log hundreds of Pinterest pictures to help plan the special day and it’s hard not to get sappy thinking about “the one.” But, tying the knot to “the one” just took on a new twist for these women in Mexico and their branches of their family tree will grow quite a ways up, literally!
Activists are holding mock wedding ceremonies (a.k.a artivism) to protest illegal logging, the harvest, transportation, purchase or sale of timber in violation of laws. The event is called “Marry a Tree.” Nope, trust me, you’re not barking up the wrong tree. This is the truth.
Time to tie the knot! Mexican women marry trees pic.twitter.com/sOoN0QOnzd
— Ruptly (@Ruptly) February 26, 2018
The stunt campaigning brides and grooms want to bring awareness to this issue that is affecting San Jacinto Amilpas, Oaxaca state heavily. The devastation is so bad, Oaxaca has been listed as one of the five states worst hit by deforestation. Around a third of Mexico’s land area is covered by forest and criminal gangs control most of the illegal logging that happens. The illegal activities are causing major damage to the ecosystems and threaten the environment.
The marriage protests are a way for the many people who care about the forests to share their commitment to saving nature. The ceremonies also hope to bring more people together to protect the endangered woodland. In Inca customs, women and men ‘marry’ trees in a symbolic ceremony called a rite. These marriages aren’t legally binding because sadly, tree’s cannon consent to them–the beautiful ceremonies are powerful and help remind everyone that nature needs our help now more than ever, especially after all the damage we’ve done to this planet.
So, men and women are coming together to marry trees thanks to the organization Bedani. Those who are protesting are hoping to save our oxygen and honor mother nature too. The wedding event was led by Peruvian actor and environmentalist Richard Torres, who married a tree back in 2014.
Dating 2k18 https://t.co/WwccUPpnp8
— Jen Mills (@jencents) February 26, 2018
Serious wedding goals!
Of course the puns have taken over twitter but they’ve provided good laughs along with giving the cause the attention it deserves. There were all types of ceremonies, some were monogamous and some polyamorous. The creative and inspirational weddings didn’t hold back either, there were receptions afterwards and typical wedding activities like the bouquet toss!
You may have to stay local for the honeymoon, but you can still enjoy some morning wood if you wake up early enough. Besides, some might argue these tall, dark and big wooded stumps make the best spouses.
Featured image via Unsplash
