PHOTOS: 2,500 Couples Get Married In Spectacular Massive Wedding Ceremony

It's only natural to fear being upstaged on your wedding day, so imagine competing with 2,499 other brides.

But that did not deter these couples - some of whom met just days ago - when they married today in the romantic surroundings of a 25,000-seat sports stadium.
Dressed in gleaming white with the men in sharp black suits, they were part of only the second 'cosmic blessing' by South Korea's famous Unitarian Church since the death of its leader, divisive self-proclaimed messiah Sun Myung Moon, in September 2012.

We do! Some 2,500 couples took part in a mass 'cosmic blessing' today by South Korea's Unification Church, founded by self-proclaimed messiah Sun Myung Moon

 With this ring I thee wed... and what's your name again? Some of the couples met just days ago and not all spoke the same language, as part of the faith's tradition

 Blessing: South Korea's Unification Church is famous for its cosmic blessing ceremonies, often held in sports stadiums. More than 40 of the couples met just days ago

 Love: Now newlywed couples will have to abstain from sex for at least 40 days and nights

Need a private moment, dear? While some of the couples were reaffirming their vows, others did not even speak the same language

After confirming under oath that they are virgins the couples sprinkle holy water, recite vows pledging themselves to be fathful to each other and exchange rings and prayers.

But the tradition then steers wildly away from Christian marriage - as the newlyweds must then go for at least 40 days without having sex.

The secret to a happy marriage: Tell your partner 'I love you' 10 times a week and go on at least three dates every month .

The period of abstinence is supposed to be an echo of Jesus's 40 days and nights wandering the desert, where the Bible says he remained in the wilderness as the devil appeared to him and offered him a string of temptations, all of which he ignored.

A highly controversial figure accused of leading a cult, Reverend Moon founded his church in 1954 and began holding the mass 'blessings' soon afterwards, which grew to global prominence as he gained followers around the world.

The first ceremony in 1961 attracted just 33 couples, but they soon expanded.

In one such mass blessing in 1997, 30,000 couples tied the knot in Washington D.C. Just two years later 21,000 filled the Olympic Stadium in Seoul.

Rev Moon died in September 2012 at the age of 92 of complications from pneumonia, and today's ceremony - as with another with 3,500 couples this time last year - was overseen by his 71-year-old widow Hak Ja Hang.

 Scale: The church was founded in 1954 by self-proclaimed messiah Sun Myung Moon and its first blessing had 33 couples. Today's ceremony was held by his widow