2,000 Brazilian couples say ‘I do’ in Rio’s largest collective wedding

A couple pray during their wedding ceremony at the Maracanazinho gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. They where part of about 2000 couples married during a massive wedding ceremony called the “Day of Yes”, that was the biggest ever in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) (The Associated Press)
Civil judges make the shape of a heart with their hands before a massive wedding ceremony at the Maracanazinho gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. About 2000 couples married during a massive wedding ceremony called the “Day of Yes”, that was the biggest ever in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) (The Associated Press)
A fiance arrives for his wedding as he carries his kids during a massive wedding ceremony at the Maracanazinho gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. About 2000 couples married during a massive wedding ceremony called the “Day of Yes”, that was the biggest ever in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) (The Associated Press)
A couple who gave their names as Mari, left, and Andre pose for a photo during a massive wedding ceremony at the Maracanazinho gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. About 2000 couples married during a massive wedding ceremony called the “Day of Yes”, that was the biggest ever in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) (The Associated Press)
Couples marry during a massive wedding ceremony at the Maracanazinho gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. About 2000 couples married during a massive wedding ceremony called the “Day of Yes”, that was the biggest ever in Rio de Janeiro. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) (The Associated Press)

RIO DE JANEIRO – Nearly 2,000 Brazilian couples have said “I do” in the largest collective wedding Rio de Janeiro has seen.

The state of Rio de Janeiro hosted the ceremony for low-income couples who can’t afford to get married. With relatives joining in, Sunday’s celebration at the indoor Maracanazinho sports venue gathered about 12,000 people.

Some couples arrived on a commuter train where brides polished their looks, applying makeup and fixing their hairdos.

Rio de Janeiro has promoted the mass wedding for eight years in a tradition called “The Day of I Do”, which is for people with a monthly family income of less than $1,000. At the end they get a free marriage certificate.

A priest representing the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro was present as well as evangelical Christian pastors.