The first same-sex marriages became legal after the stroke of midnight last night in England and Wales (or about 8pm EST).

Numerous couples decided to tie the knot the first moment it was a possibility, with many more likely to do the same in the weeks and months to come. (Elton John and David Furnish  revealed they plan to make it legal in May.) Among the first couples to wed were Peter McGraith and David Cabreza, who have been together for 17 years. The men were married in Islington Town Hall in London.

In a special column for Pink News, Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his joy that equality had won the day, and reflected on his own 18-year marriage to wife Samantha:

I have been so lucky to find the most incredible lifelong partner in Sam and our marriage has been a very special part of the commitment we have made to each other.

Of course any marriage takes work, requires patience and understanding, give and take – but what it gives back in terms of love, support, stability and happiness is immeasurable. That is not something that the State should ever deny someone on the basis of their sexuality. When people’s love is divided by law, it is the law that needs to change.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, a rainbow flag was raised atop Nelson's Column in iconic Trafalgar Square.Same-sex marriage is being debated in Scotland, though there is no official discussion to legalize equal marriage in Northern Ireland.

The Church of England has remained steadfast in refusing to sanction same-sex nuptials, but some clergy are crying foul: Reverend Alan Wilson, the Bishop of Buckingham, has said priests should go ahead and officiate gay weddings. He calls the Church's position "morally outrageous."

[caption id="attachment_147104" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Helen Brearley (R) and Teresa Millward walk down the aisle after being married at Halifax Register Office.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_147101" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Andrew Wale and Neil Allard were married in the Royal Pavillion in Brighton[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_147107" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Phil Robathan and James Preston[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_147109" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Nikki Pettit (C) and Tanya Ward, with bridesmaid Lea[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Peter McGraith and David Cabreza signing the wedding registry in[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_147100" align="aligncenter" width="600"] McGraith and Cabreza with LGBT activist Peter Tachel[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_147110" align="aligncenter" width="600"] A rainbow flag flies in Trafalgar Square in honor of equal marriage[/caption]