Same-Sex Marriage: New Jersey Couples Wed Minutes After Midnight; Gov. Christie Removes Appeal (SLIDESHOW)

Gay couples in various communities in New Jersey rushed to get married minutes after midnight as the state became the 14th state to legalize gay marriage on Monday, the Associated Press reported.

The law was passed after the state Supreme Court rejected Gov. Chris Christie's administrations plea for a delay in passing the law, the AP reported. Christie asked the states court to overturn the ruling for same sex marriages, and asked the court to not "force the state to recognize same sex marriage" until the appeal was resolved, the AP reported.

Although the state court agreed to hear the appeal, they announced on Friday they would not delay passing the law because "the state is not likely to prevail in its arguments next year." According to media reports, Christie, who might run as the Republican candidate in the 2016 presidential election, dropped his appeal against same-sex marriage via an email sent Monday morning.

Three different couples wed on the steps of the Paramount Theater under the moon and wind and in front of over 50 witnesses, USA Today reported. One of the couples were Karen Nicholson-McFadden and Marcye Nicholson-McFadden, who have been partners for 24 years.

"It's utterly pure and complete relief to finally be here because it's been a crazy long road," said Karen after marrying Marcye, USA Today reported.

Another wedding took place in Lambertville with Beth Asaro and Joanne Schailey in the same crowded municipal courtroom where the couple had become one of the first in the state to be joined in a civil union, the AP reported.

Mayor of the City of Lambertville, Dave DelVecchio, and friend of Beth and Joanne, joined them in civil union in 2007, and has now married the couple. DelVecchio led the couple of 27 years through their vows and the couple's 13-year-old daughter was the flower girl.

"We remained optimistic and hopeful that we would be able to gather together to do the right thing, the just thing, and see our two friends get married," Mayor Dave DelVecchio said at the ceremony, according to the AP.

At Newark's City Hall, seven gay couples and two hetero couples wed while a protester among the group of onlookers shouted "this is unlawful in the eyes of God and Jesus Christ," right before Mayor, and Senator-elect, Cory Booker announced the couples lawful spouses, the AP reported.

The protester was removed, and at the end of the ceremony, Booker put his hand over his heart and said in between tears: "this is beautiful," according to the AP. After the couples were married, family and friends headed over to the City Hall rotunda for champagne and cake.

The recognition of same sex marriage has allowed the union, and happiness, of gay couples who have been in a relationship for many years, and even decades. The recognition of their union will allow the couples to receive all the state and federal benefits of marriage, like being allowed to file tax returns jointly and Social Security survivor benefits, the AP reported.

New Jersey now joins California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington as the fourteenth state to legalize gay marriage.

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