STEPANAKERT (Combined Sources)–Some 700 couples tied the knot Thursday in a mass ceremony, through an event organized by benefactor Levon Hayrapetyan in an effort to encourage an increase in Karabakh’s population.

The couples headed to Stepanakert’s Renaissance Square where the wedding ceremony took place. Then the couples headed for the Stepan Shahumian Sports Complex and Stadium for a large reception, at which time their official marriage licenses were issued. Some of the couples headed for Gandzasar for their honeymoon.

Each couple was issued a gift card from Unibank as a wedding gift. The couples are also in for several surprises as it was announced that for each child they bare, a monetary reward will be provided in the following manner: 1st child: $2000; 2nd $3000; 3rd $5000; 5th $20,000; 6th $50,000 and 7th $100,000.

Earlier this summer, Haryrapetyan told reporters that his aim was to increase the Karabakh population to 300,000 and this was an incentive for couples to marry and raise families in Karabakh.