Hundreds of couples said “I do” in unison as part of a government initiative on Saturday in Paraguay to make civil weddings more accessible across the country.

The campaign, called “United by Love and Protected by Law,” aims to legalize 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.

The Civil Registry and the first lady’s office prioritized weddings for long-term couples considered vulnerable.

Nearly half of the newlyweds brought their children to the ceremony.

"It's a very important step to formalize everything,” said Jonathan Garay, who has lived with his partner, Fiorela Riveros, for six years.

The couple now looks forward to a family party and their honeymoon.

Last week, 120 couples also tied the knot in a mass ceremony in Ciudad del Este.

Earlier this year, another event was held in Boquerón, where for the first time Indigenous couples were married free of charge.

Vice President Pedro Alliana celebrated the unions on X, saying “all Paraguayans have access to the right to formalize their union.”

The ceremony filled the National Sports Secretariat gymnasium with couples dressed in every color, while families watched from the stands.

Religious leaders, one Catholic and one Protestant, blessed most of the couples.

AP video shot by Emilio Sanabria