Portland, ME -- At 12:01 Saturday morning, same sex couples were allowed to get married in Maine. By 12:20am, Steven Bridges and Michael Snell of Portland became the first gay couple to tie the knot.
Bridges and Snell say they decided on Christmas to get married on Saturday. The only people they told ahead of time were Michael's two daughters, Carolyn and Katie, who served as their witnesses. They also didn't intend to be the first couple in Maine to be married, but they ended up being first in line at Portland City Hall.
"It's very surreal still," says Snell. "We didn't expect all the cameras and everything tonight." Bridges adds, "We finally feel equal and happy to live in Maine."
A huge crowd was outside Portland City Hall to greet the happy couple as they left. A group of muscians led everyone in a rendition of the song, "All you Need is Love," by the Beatles.
As of 2AM, there were 15 licenses issued, but only 7 couples were actually married. Doors at the City Hall closed at 3am on Saturday.
The next opportunity for same-sex couples to get married at City Hall in Portland is on Monday morning.
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