Here's What Happens the Day a Country Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

At midnight on Saturday, March 29, England took a step forward in the fight for civil rights and began to legally recognize same-sex marriages [1]. England approved the law to legalize same-sex marriage last year, and Brazil and Scotland have since followed suit, bringing the total count of countries that recognize same-sex marriage [2] to 17.

Many couples were already prepared — saying their vows just moments after the clock struck 12 — and scores of weddings continued throughout the day. Photos from the day captured the sheer, unbridled joy of the moment; it's a moment we've seen before and, hopefully, one we'll see again. We've already shown you plenty of gorgeous real weddings [3] from all over the US. Keep scrolling to look back at the first day of legal same-sex weddings in countries all over the world.

Source: Getty / Alex Wong, Mario Tama [4]