Users of the social news website Reddit have been invited to attend the wedding of a Maryland gay couple, after a same-sex marriage bill was passed in the US state, thanks in part to followers of the site.

When Chris Riley posted a message on Reddit stating that fans of the site who voted for the same-sex marriage measure would be invited to his wedding in April, he was not sure if anyone would care.

But the post quickly went viral, with hundreds pledging to vote in favour of the bill.

With the law taking effect on 1 January, Chris and his partner Shawn now say they are looking forward to welcoming strangers from the internet to the most important day of their lives.