The festivities began at the city hall in downtown Minneapolis at 10:30 p.m. when the public was allowed in...
1. The five levels filled up with people trying to get the perfect spot for the night's (well, the morning's, because the law didn't take effect until midnight) first weddings.
2. Literally everyone was in a good mood...
3. ...even if they got stuck sitting in the stairs.
4. Al & Jeff, the second couple to be married, looked around and waved to friends, families, and those who came to support them.
5. The Minneapolis gay men's choir sang, and when they finished they all just looked around smiling at all the people who showed up.
6. These guys were overwhelmed by how enthusiastic the applause was for their performance.
7. Margaret and Cathy came out at 11:30 p.m. They were the first same-sex couple married in the state of Minnesota. Their son Louie stole the show.
8. He was amazing. And completely distracted the whole time.
9. One of the cutest parts was when the priest gave him a hug.
10. And then he looked up.
11. And then they said, "I do."
12. BOOM. History made.
13. Then they celebrated.
14. The crowd, of course, went insane.
15. Then it was Al and Jeff's turn. They ran down the stairs...
16. ...as Margaret & Cathy ran to greet them.
17. The mayor made his officiating debut. They kissed. The crowd lost it again.
18. Then there was an intermission, which obviously involved dancing.
19. THERE WAS CAKE.
20. Outside of city hall, people held signs like this one.
21. Inside, it was a huge love fest.
22. Then, around 12:30 a.m., the weddings resumed.
23. It was a Jewish one!
24. They stomped on the glasses...
25. ...and looked up at the crowd as they cheered.
26. This woman smiled alone on the third floor.
27. The weddings went on. These guys met after one of them moved to London. He forgot his jacket in Minnesota, went back, and never left again.
28. Random side note: The mayor was UNBELIEVABLY CUTE. He was always getting emotional.
29. Then the "twins" were married, Lynne and Linda.
30. From the crowd, their daughter yelled, "I LOVE YOU, MOM."
31. Another person said, "THE TWINS HAVE ARRIVED!"
32. And then they were married.
33. These two were next. They met as neighbors in an apartment complex 20 years ago.
34. After them, it was time for the teachers.
35. They met at the University of Wisconsin in 1976. They both became teachers.
36. The kids in the back are their three adopted children.
37. I mean, come on...
38. HOW INCREDIBLE IS THIS REACTION?!
39. It's now 2:14 a.m. and Kelly and Donna are up!
40. Kelly's pregnant, obviously. It's their second child. The kid in the back is theirs.
41. Then this amazing tie-dye crew got on stage. The two of them met working together at a daycare.
42. By 2:30 a.m., the kids were officially exhausted and so. cute. They were like little zombie children.
43. Their mom's wedding was particularly interesting because it was in sign language.
44. They definitely won for best applause.
45. Winners.
46. One of the best parts was when the people getting married would look into the crowd and smile at their family.
47. And come on, this guy's brother. LOOK AT THAT FACE.
48. At 3:09 a.m., Megan and Linda got married. They had already raised twin boys and have been together for 33 years.
49. While this was all going on, this woman was repeating her vows over and over again.
50. This couple joked around with their friends...
51. ...and of course took a couple of pictures of each other while they waited.
52. It was 3:30 in the morning, but everyone was still going strong.
53. Triumph after triumph.
54. Kiss after kiss.
55. So many parents crying.
56. Finally.
57. Yes!
58. Also, check out how amazingly these two dressed.
59. It's past 4 a.m. now, and people are still having fun and waving on the balconies.
60. These two especially.
61. The weddings continued. This couple has been together 18 years; their son smiled.
62. This guy's legs buckled as his husband read his vows.
63. And these two didn't want to let go.
64. It was impossible not to cry...especially because it was almost 6 in the morning and everyone was emotionally (and physically) exhausted.
65. It's 5:51 a.m. now. This is the line.
66. By 6:11, the last couple was giving each other a pep talk.
67. And, of course, a kiss.
68. There were more thumbs ups...
69. ...and fist pumps.
70. By 6:15 a.m., the last family (with little kids) came on stage. As usual, the little boy wasn't having it...
71. ...except he warmed up by the "I do."
72. Then it was time. THE LAST COUPLE OF THE NIGHT.
73. 6:37 a.m. Dorothy and Jackie. Together 33 years.
74. It was perfect.
75. The mayor asked if there were any more people in the crowd. It's 6:44 a.m. He ended the night by saying, "The chapel of love is officially closed."
All photos taken by me.