Choosing a wedding venue can be a tedious and mind-boggling affair. While many couples would opt for a beach-side or medieval themed-themed event, the South African government is giving the country’s couples a unique option; A prison-themed wedding.

The country's Department of Home Affairs has invited couples who would wish to tie the knot at the famous Robben Island Museum to register for a mass wedding ceremony on February 14, Valentine's Day.

The ministry said in a statement that it plans to host 20 couples at the former prison in a lavish one-of-a-kind ceremony to mark the start of their unions.

"The Department of Home Affairs and the Robben Island Museum partner to make dreams come true for couples who want to get married in style at the former prison which, on the day, is transformed into a lavish wedding venue with an amazing ambience. This year, plans are underway to host 20 couples in what will mark the 20th anniversary of the partnership and the wedding ceremony," the statement read.

The ministry has held the Robben Island mass wedding ceremony every year since 2000 on February 14 to mark the world's day of love.

Around 300 couples have tied the knot at the former prison grounds since the program started.

Robben Island is well known for being a detention ground for political prisoners and freedom fighters during the apartheid era.

South Africa's founding father Nelson Mandela was imprisoned there for 18 of the 27 years he served behind bars before his rise to power. Two other former inmates of Robben Island also went ahead to be elected as President of South Africa; Kgalema Motlanthe and Jacob Zuma.

Robben Island will this year be celebrating its 20th year as a world heritage site as declared by UNESCO.

Source(s): South Africa Department of Home Affairs