Same-sex marriage has become legal for the first time in Slovenia today.

Although the law will give couples largely the same rights as heterosexual ones, it still bans them from jointly adopting children.

The law was passed around ten months ago, after a referendum rejected a draft that would have also granted adoption rights.

Ksenija Klampfer, who administers weddings in Maribor, said the first lesbian ceremony was set to take place on Saturday.

“We are very happy and proud that we will perform the first same-sex wedding,” she said.

“We believe that such marriages are an important step towards the formation of an inclusive society where people have equal rights.”

As yet, no weddings are scheduled to take place in the capital.

LGBT rights advocates have praised the introduction of marriage equality, but say more still has to be done.

“This is a big step forward,” said Lana Gobec, spokeswoman for the Legebitra LGBT rights campaigning group.

“But we will continue to strive for complete equality of heterosexual and same-sex couples.”

Same-sex couples have been able to register their relationships in the country since 2006 and can adopt children from a partner’s previous relationship but not unrelated children.

Two years ago, an MEP for the country said it was “shameful” that the country had stopped same-sex marriage through a referendum.

Equal marriage is currently legal in a number of European countries, including Britain, France and Spain.