A Russian same-sex couple that was denied the right to marry in their own country finally tied the knot yesterday afternoon following a press conference in Toronto’s City Hall.

Irina Fedotova-Fet, 30, and Irina Shipitko, 32 – yes, they share the same name – were excitedly anticipating the ceremony, and even wrote their own touching vows. The wedding was attended by same-sex couples and other supportive Torontonians and was led by Justice Harvey Brownstone.

The long-time lesbian couple flew to Canada to wed after a registry office in Moscow denied the couple the right to marry in May. The appeal of the decision was thrown out of the Russian courts in early October. Upon arrival to their hometown in Russia, the newlyweds plan to take the Russian government to court to have the marriage recognized.

“There is no legislation in Russia to address and protect LGBT persons from discrimination or harassment,” said their lawyer Nicolas Alexeyev, founder of GayRussia.ru., an LGBT advocate organization. “There is very little support, public or legislative, for same sex marriages in Russia.”

Helen Kennedy is the executive director of EGALE Canada, this country’s LGBT human rights organization. Kennedy is hosting the couple and facilitating their wedding event.

“In the few past few years, Moscow has banned Pride parades with the Mayor going as far as calling them ‘satanic,’” she said.

Fedotova-Fet and Shipitko, who return home on Tuesday, are hopeful that their international marriage will be recognized once they take their case back to Russian court.