In pictures: Mass wedding in Bombay

1 of 12 More than 500 couples from the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community have taken part in a mass wedding in Bombay (Mumbai).

2 of 12 The event marked 50 years of mass weddings in the community in India, where most Bohra Muslims live.

3 of 12 Marrying en masse helps poorer families save money - and busy couples save time.

4 of 12 The grooms were led in by a band wearing kilts, a legacy of Scottish soldiers sent to India during the British Raj.

5 of 12 Many came on horseback, others chose elephants or carriages.

6 of 12 The grooms and brides were kept apart until the main ceremony, or "Nikah", was over.

7 of 12 Many of the brides couldn't hide their happiness - Fatima, 20, was one.

8 of 12 Another bride was ecstatic her wedding day had come at last.

9 of 12 They received the blessing of the community's 92-year-old spiritual leader, Syedna Burhanuddin.

10 of 12 There are about a million Dawoodi Bohra Muslims in the world - Bombay has the largest community.

11 of 12 Most of those taking part were local, but some came from abroad.

12 of 12 Bohra Muslims are renowned as traders and businessmen - grooms were making business calls minutes before they married.