Cyprus: The island of love and secret civil marriage

Every year, Cyprus carries out some 3000 weddings for couples from across the Middle East, and the number is growing.

The Mediterranean island promotes itself as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty, but the reason for its popularity is much more prosaic: it offers civil marriages.

Across the Arab world and Israel this concept is virtually non-existent, only religious weddings are allowed.

Cyprus attracts both mixed-faith and secular couples.