Hundreds of people rushed to clerks of courts office across Florida Tuesday as the ban on same-sex marriage ended.

Weddings began in several counties at 12:01 a.m., including Osceola County. But not all counties treated the historic marriages with the same fanfare.

Same-sex marriage licenses issued Tuesday by county

  • Brevard County: 26
  • Flagler County: 5
  • Lake County: 12
  • Marion County: 6
  • Orange County: 164
  • Osceola County: 58
  • Seminole County: 22
  • Sumter County: 2
  • Volusia County: 21

Mass weddings in Orange County

“We’ve been waiting forever, this is monumental,” said Joseph Fogg as he stood in line with his partner. “So many other states had it before us. Florida is generally the last state to do anything. But not this time."

In the early morning hours, dozens of early risers formed an orderly line in front of the Orange County Courthouse, waiting to receive a document that would legalize their union. There were cheers and hugs as couples patiently waited to enter the Courthouse.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 164 marriage licenses were issued in Orange County.

Thirty-four couples were married at Orlando's LGBT Center Tuesday night, capping off a day of historic weddings.

“It’s sort of hard to put in words because it’s been so long coming.  It’s like a dream come true,” said Kelley Alfonso, who married his partner Michael. The pair have been together more than eight years.  “Ten years ago I would have said ‘It will never happen.’ It happened so fast, actually. It’s great.”

More than 400 people showed up to the ceremony outside the Center as police kept eyes on a handful of protestors who chanted and held signs before and after the ceremony.

Circuit court Judge Bob Leblanc officiated the ceremony and said he’s performed countless weddings, but nothing like Tuesday night’s.  “In fact, I have never done more than one at a time so I’ve had to rework the vows to say ‘we do’ instead of ‘I do,’” said Leblanc.

Maria Rexach and her partner Mary Jane McLaughlin met in 1969 and have been together for the last 19 years.  “We didn’t think it was going to happen in our lifetime, really.  Not at all, not at all,” said McLaughlin. 

In Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer officiated a same-sex wedding ceremony on the steps of Orlando City Hall, presiding over the ceremony, not as the mayor, but as a notary public.

“I respect other people’s opinions, but we’re the 36th state. We’re a little behind the times to recognize marriage equality,” said Dyer.

More than 40 couples participated in the ceremony including Ken Wright and Jim Browne who have been waiting 41-years to say “I do”. They said it is a day they’ll never forget.

“To say that you’re married. This is hard. It’s joy. It’s tears of happiness,” said Wright.

“A mutual friend introduced us 41 years ago and we’ve been together ever since,” said Browne.

Osceola County weddings began at 12:01 a.m.

Dozens of same sex couples flocked to the Osceola County Courthouse Monday to get married at midnight.

As the clock counted down to midnight, couples signed their marriage licenses and said their I-do’s.

In all, the county issued 68 marriage licenses Tuesday, with 58 being for same-sex couples. They also performed 38 ceremonies for same-sex couples. They usually perform an average of 15 each day.

The first couple to say their vows was recently elected Osceola County Commissioner Sheryl Grieb who is the first openly gay person to ever hold a commission seat.

She said it was something her and her partner Patti have looked forward to for years.

“Patti and I have been together over 22 years and so this is just a very special time for us. It’s an opportunity for us to make something we already consider to be a marriage legal,” said Grieb.

It was a similar story for other couples.  

After seven and a half years together, Tracy and Tarina waited just a little bit longer late Monday night to sign papers and make their marriage official.

“It just felt so good to finally commit to each other like everyone else has been able to,” said Tracy Golly.

Kevin Foster and Joey Thibodeaux also got married.

“We love each other and we want to make our marriage real and amazing,” said Foster.

“And tonight it will be,” said Thibodeaux.

Outside, a crowd of protesters held signs condemning the marriages, saying they disagreed with the court’s decision.

"We are opposed all things or those laws that go against those that have already been established by God. Therefore, man shall live as mother and father and they shall be one flesh," said Daniel Rivera from the Jerusalem House of Prayer Church.

The protesters said they will be back out during the day as couples come to pick up their marriage licenses during regular business hours.

Brevard County marriage licenses moving forward

Brevard County will begin issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples. But now not every worker will be required to take part.

The county's clerk of courts office said some employees object to the marriage licenses for religious reasons -- fewer than 10 workers.

Those employees will not have to issue the licenses to same-sex couples.

The county issued 25 licenses to same-sex couples Tuesday, and performed 11 weddings. The county said the daily average for marriage licenses during December was 21.

Lake, Marion County issue licenses, stop weddings

Early Tuesday, five same-sex couples, including one who had been together for 38 years, went to Marion County’s Clerk of Courts to get their marriage applications and licenses.

But signs posted all around the office explained to actually get married, they’d have to go elsewhere.

Clerk of Courts David Elspermann said he decided to end all such ceremonies after speaking to his employees.

Elspermann said his entire staff in the marriage and passport office objected to performing same-sex weddings. Since clerk of courts offices aren’t required by law to conduct weddings, he ended them for all couples regardless of their sexual orientation.

It’s a decision which will cost his office. They made about $24,000 a year on the 15-minute ceremonies.

Just as the clerk was trying to figure out how he’d adjust his budget, a long-time employee made it easy for him. She resigned Monday saying she was morally opposed to even issuing licenses to same-sex couples. The clerk said he won't fill her position.

Lake County's Deputy Clerk of Courts Gary Cooney said he also made the decision to end all marriage ceremonies at the Lake County Courthouse Monday with his employees' rights in mind.

Sumter County short staffed, calls off weddings

In Sumter County there will be no weddings in the clerk of courts office. But it has more to do with logistics.

The county clerk said her office is short staffed.

She said they will take appointments for courthouse weddings to begin in two weeks.