Dozens of politicians and hundreds of townsfolk swarmed to a makeshift wedding chapel in a scrubby field for the nuptials of a local policeman and his young bride.

"This shows the world that life is going on -- that there must be joy amongst the tragedy," said national assembly parliamentary leader of the pro-government Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party, Muhammad Farooq Sattar, one of the guest dignitaries.

Others included federal Communications Minister Muhammad Shamim Siddiqui and Housing Minister Syed Safwanullah.

"This should remind the world not to forget about us -- that we are still human and we are still in need," Siddiqui said.

Muzaffarabad lies just nine kilometres (six miles) south of the epicentre of a huge quake that struck the desolate region on October 8, killing at least 73,000 people and rendering more than three million homeless.

Kashif Hussain Kiani, 28, married Somia Shafiq, 22, in the shadow of the groom's wrecked family home and beneath crisp blue skies teeming with relief helicopters flying aid to isolated villages.

The union was arranged by their parents earlier this year.

The local branch of the MQM offered to pay for the event, earning itself a little publicity.

"Under normal circumstances we would have just had a quiet ceremony," said a sheepish-looking Kiani after the brief traditional Muslim wedding ceremony.

"It has become a party for the whole community," he said.

The newlyweds had planned to spend their wedding night in the groom's family home. But after it was destroyed in last month's quake, the MQM stepped in to provide them with a dowry of a temporary tin home, including bed and furniture.

"It isn't what we'd hoped for but it will still be romantic," said Kiani to whoops from the male guests.

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