Rhode Island State Representative Frank Ferri, a Democrat, on Thursday married his husband Tony Caparco as a gay marriage law took effect in Rhode Island.

Technically, the men were already married, having exchanged vows in Vancouver in 2006. But they told local media that they were eager to marry in their home state on the 32nd anniversary of the day that they declared their commitment to one another.

“We had to get married on August 1st,” Caparco said.

The Ferri-Caparco wedding, which took place at Harbor Lights in Warwick, was officiated by House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, also an openly gay Democrat, and attended by more than 350 guests. The wedding party included Governor Lincoln Chafee and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian.

“Now upon the authority vested in me by the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, I proudly, emotionally and with all the love in my heart pronounce you married,” Fox declared as the men hugged one another. (The video is embedded on this page. Visit our video library for more videos.)