Jirat Somprasung and Rawitsara Chotiwatpongsaton receive their marriage license from an officer while riding elephants during a Valentine's Day celebration, at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chonburi province, Thailand, Feb 14, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

CHONBURI, Thailand - Reflecting Thailand's long association with the majestic beasts, couples riding elephants wearing traditional dress chose this Valentine's Day to exchange their vows in a mass wedding featuring the pachyderms.

“The ceremony is sacred which makes everyone want to have a wedding atop of the elephants," said one of the brides, 36-year-old Narumon Komgpanoy.

Couples ride elephants during a Valentine's Day celebration, at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chonburi province, Thailand, Feb 14, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

The elephant is Thailand's national animal and for a time a white elephant, a symbol of good fortune, was featured on the Thai flag

"Elephants are considered household and city companions, as well as a symbol of national prosperity,” she said.

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The parade of elephants carrying nine couples marched slowly through the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chonburi province, about a two-hour drive south of the capital Bangkok.

Flowers are arranged in the shape of a heart on the head of an elephant, during a Valentine's Day celebration at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chonburi province, Thailand, Feb 14, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

With dancers in traditional costumes leading the procession, the couples rode their elephants up to a local district official, also sat on an elephant, who oversaw the signing of the marriage licenses.

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The elephant is Thailand's national animal and for a time a white elephant, a symbol of good fortune, was featured on the Thai flag.

A couple receives their marriage license from an officer while riding elephants during a Valentine's Day celebration, at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Chonburi province, Thailand, Feb 14, 2024. (PHOTO / REUTERS)

"I feel very happy. Actually, today is the day of love, so I feel good about obtaining the marriage license with my wife," said one of the grooms, Jirat Somprasung, 36.