Thousands Of People Take Part In Mass Wedding In Rio De Janeiro

    The event was organised to help those unable to afford their own wedding.

    Almost 2,000 couples got married in a sports arena in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

    The mass wedding was organised by local authorities to help those who would struggle to pay for their own ceremony.

    Couples with a combined monthly income of up to $1,000 (£640) were allowed to be involved, the BBC reported.

    The event took place at the Maracanazinho arena, and proceedings were presided over by volunteer civil judges.

    An evangelical Christian pastor and a Catholic priest also blessed the couples, AFP reported.

    The BBC said local officials put on special trains to help couples and their guests attend the event.