Dozens of newly-wed Chinese couples braved the freezing temperatures to say "I do" on Tuesday in one of China's coldest cities Harbin.

The group wedding took place in front of a massive ice-engraved Santa Claus that China says is the world's biggest ice sculpture. The group wedding on ice became a local tradition in Harbin over twenty years ago, when the city hosted its first ice festival in 1985. It since has attracted hundreds of love birds from all over the country wanting to take their vows outdoors regardless of the conditions.

Locals are also attracted to the mass wedding - proud of their winterly terrain.

Liu Yan, wedding attendant, said, "I think it is awesome, because it depicts the special nature of our northeastern region. You would not be able to have these kinds of scenes in weddings in the south."

Every year Harbin plays host to a world-renowned ice festival, which traditionally runs from mid-December to early February.