Article posted: 12/29/2012 12:58 PM

Maine greets gay marriage with midnight weddings

Buy this photo Buy this photo
next prev 1 of 3
   
Gallery Image

Steven Bridges, left, receives a wedding ring from Michael Snell, early Saturday, Dec. 29, at city hall in Portland, Maine. Same-sex couples in Maine are now legally allowed to marry under a new law that went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday.

Associated Press/Robert F. Bukaty

A crowd cheers at 12:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, as the first same-sex couple to be legally married in Maine departs City Hall in Portland, Maine.

Associated Press/Robert F. Bukaty

Katy Jayne, left, gets a kiss from Lauren Snead after they obtained their marriage license, early Saturday, Dec. 29 in Portland, Maine. Same-sex couples in Maine are now legally permitted to marry under a new law that went into effect Saturday.

Associated Press/Robert F. Bukaty

About this Article

The first couples to seek a wedding under Maine's voter-approved law allowing same-sex marriage have exchanged vows.The law went into effect Saturday a minute after midnight. Portland, the largest city in the state, held special hours to accommodate couples who didn't want to wait to get married.