Photos: First Same-Sex Couples To Marry In England And Wales!

At the stroke of midnight in London, marriage for same-sex couples became legal in England and Wales, where hundreds of couples are expected to marry today — where it is already Saturday.

LOOK: UK Prime Minister Says Today, ‘When People’s Love Is Divided By Law, It Is The Law That Needs To Change’

One of the first couples to marry in London, writer Peter McGraith and David Cabreza, who works in finance (image above, and below), have been together 17 years. They have two adopted sons. “We are thrilled to be getting married.” they told the Independent. “It is a mark of significant social progress in the UK that the legal distinction between gay and straight relationships has been removed.”

Andrew Wale and Neil Allard (images, below,) are marrying at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion. “We are so privileged to live in an age where we can do this,” Allard told the BBC. “I never expected it – not in my lifetime.”

“Saturday is a momentous day for England and Wales, as the first same-sex marriages mark full legal equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people,” says Ruth Hunt, acting chief executive of gay Stonewall UK. “The first weddings will send a powerful message to every person in Britain and around the world that you can live and love as you choose, regardless of your sexual orientation.”

The law extending marriage to same-sex couples in England and Wales passed in July.

Look:

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Image by St George’s Lib Dems via Twitter