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10 heartwarming images from mass LGBTQ wedding in Toronto

Jen Chang, left, and Inae Lee pose for photos before joining over 100 gay couples in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Kisses, hugs and tears abounded after dozens of couples exchanged vows at a mass same-sex wedding ceremony in Toronto Thursday.

Officiants from 12 denominations gave their blessing to the crowd before more than 100 couples at The Grand Prix wedding said “I do” in unison.

READ MORE: LGBTQ couples tie the knot in Toronto mass wedding

The Grand Pride Wedding for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and two-spirited couples was thought to be the first of its kind in Canada and involved individuals from around the world.

Organizers said the wedding was the largest of its kind in North America.

It was held at Casa Loma, a palatial Toronto home built between 1911 and 1914, which has since become a popular tourist attraction and event venue.

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Dana Murphy (L) and Shannon St Germain dance during the Grand Pride Wedding, a mass gay wedding at Casa Loma in Toronto, Canada, on June 26, 2014. Getty Images
Michelle, left, and May Brand laugh before joining over 100 gay couples in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
A married couple hold hands after joining over 100 gay couples in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Canada’s first legal same-sex marriage took place on June 10, 2003, just hours after Ontario’s Court of Appeal pronounced the Canadian law on traditional marriage unconstitutional.

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READ MORE: Lesbian ‘married throuple’ expecting 1st child

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Other provinces followed suit and the federal government legalized same-sex marriage countrywide two years later with the gender-neutral Civil Marriage Act.

Dayna Murphy, left, and her partner Shannon St. Germain have their photo taken by tourists before joining over 100 gay couples in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Steven B. Andrews rests on his husband Michael Dow’s shoulder while joining over 100 other gay couples in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Couples walk hand-in-hand before joining over 100 other gay couples in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Over 100 gay couples participate in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, Ont. on Thursday, June 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
A man smiles at his fiance during the Grand Pride Wedding on June 26, 2014. Getty Images/Geoff Robins
Newly weds celebrate after over 100 gay couples participated in a mass wedding during World Pride 2014 at Casa Loma in Toronto, on Thursday, June 26, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

– with files from The Canadian Press

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