Same-sex couples in New Jersey have begun exchanging wedding vows for the first time. On Friday, New Jersey’s Supreme Court rejected a request by Republican Gov. Chris Christie to halt the marriages pending an appeal. The weddings began just after midnight. Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who was recently elected to the U.S. Senate, officiated some of the state’s first ceremonies at Newark City Hall. South Brunswick resident Marsha Shapiro explained why she and her wife wanted to be among the first in New Jersey.

Marsha Shapiro: “We’ve been wanting to get married for a long time. We’ve been together over 24 years. We were religiously married over 21 years ago. We have four children, one grandchild, and another one on the way. It’s time that we get married.”