Vincent and Bruno, the first gay couple Photogallery

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Unwilling to turn the square in front of the city hall into a fenced-off, high-security zone, officials have instead opted to beam the event live online to the city council's website.

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"It's a stressful time for Victor and Bruno. There are people who will try to mark this symbolic day with words of hate," said Elodie Brun, a coordinator at the local Gay Pride Association which Aubin heads.

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Brun will be a witness to the nuptials, set for 11:30 p.m. EDT, and sign the first ever marriage registry entry for two people of the same sex in a nation both predominantly Roman Catholic and fiercely attached to separating church and state.

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Backed by most voters and feted by gay men and lesbians when it came into force this month, a law making France the 14th country to allow same-sex marriage has triggered heated street protests by conservatives, Catholics and extreme right-wingers.

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Frigide Barjot, a pink-clad comedian who leads the anti-gay marriage movement, has urged her supporters to stay away from Wednesday's wedding and expressed concern at right-wingers who have hurled bricks, bottles and firecrackers during marches. On Sunday, a massive march in Paris was marred by violence.

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