Mass civil wedding in Paraguay's capital sees more than 600 couples say 'I do' in unison
The ceremony took place in the National Sports Secretariat gymnasium. (AP: Jorge Saenz)
In short:
More than 600 couples married simultaneously in Paraguay's capital, Asunción, on Saturday.
This was part of a government campaign aiming to make civil weddings more accessible across the country.
What's next?
The newlyweds left with marriage certificates, meaning their relationships now have legal status.
More than 600 couples married simultaneously in Paraguay's capital, Asunción, on Saturday.
Thousands said "I do" in unison as part of a government initiative to make civil weddings more accessible across the country.
The campaign, called "United by Love and Protected by Law," aims to legalise relationships in which couples forgo marriage because of economic or bureaucratic reasons, preventing them from receiving benefits such as social security, pensions and inheritance rights.
Religious leaders, one Catholic and one Protestant, were there to bless the couples. (AP: Jorge Saenz)
"All Paraguayans have access to the right to formalise their union," Vice-President Pedro Alliana said on X.
The Civil Registry and the first lady's office prioritised weddings for long-term couples considered vulnerable.
"It was about time to get married," said Jonathan Garay, who has lived with his partner, Fiorella Rivera, for six years.
The couple now looks forward to a family party and their honeymoon.
"We had the opportunity and we took advantage of it," Ms Rivera told The Associated Press, adding that it was important "to formalise everything".
The Civil Registry prioritised weddings for long-term couples considered vulnerable. (AP: Jorge Saenz)
Last week, 120 couples also tied the knot in a mass ceremony in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay's second-largest city.
Earlier this year, another event was held in Boquerón, where, for the first time, Indigenous couples were married free of charge.
"The number of people registered in this campaign shows that Paraguay does believe in love, does believe in family, and does believe in the formalisation of marriage," said Roque Strubing, the communications director of the Civil Registry.
Nearly half of the newlyweds brought their children to the ceremony. (AP: Jorge Saenz)
The ceremony filled the National Sports Secretariat gymnasium with couples dressed in every colour, while families watched from the stands.
Religious leaders, one Catholic and one Protestant, blessed most of the couples.
The newlyweds left with marriage certificates, giving their relationship a legal status.
AP