Firas Yazbeck and Naomi Arends arrived to the municipality building in Larnaca, Cyprus on a Monday morning. In just a few minutes, the Lebanese-Dutch couple had filled out their marriage documents as they waited in the queue to take their vows. In the waiting room, a promotional video of Larnaca — and all the activities visitors can do in one day — played on a TV. Like many Middle Eastern couples, including those from Lebanon, Yazbeck and his new bride chose to marry in Cyprus, and spend their 10-day honeymoon on the island as well. Marriage in Cyprus is simple, it’s easy, and it’s one way to get around Middle Eastern marriage laws that don’t allow people from different religions to marry. “It’s so close to Lebanon,” notes Yazbeck, a 27-year-old Maronite Christian. “It’s a good place for a civil marriage and a vacation.” Still, he hopes his home country
