Gay and lesbian couples queued for marriage licenses across California on Tuesday, one day after the first legally recognized same-sex weddings in the state.
While a handful of symbolic same-sex marriages took place in Los Angeles and San Francisco late Monday, licenses were not widely available to most gays and lesbians anxious to tie the knot.
County courthouses and clerks offices throughout California began issuing licenses from 8am (1500 GMT), and in Los Angeles many soon-to-be newlyweds queued overnight to beat the crush.
Analysts estimate that around 51,000 of the 102,000 same-sex couples living in California will wed over the next three years, with a further 67,500 couples from outside the state expected to marry during the same period.
The first tidal wave of marriages on Tuesday came after joyous scenes in Los Angeles and San Francisco on Monday, where two campaigning lesbian couples moments after gay marriages became legal in California at 5.01pm.
Robin Tyler and Diane Olson, whose court battle led to the California Supreme Court's historic decision to overturn the state ban on same-sex marriage last month exchanged vows on the step of Beverly Hills Courthouse.
At the same time in San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom officiated at the wedding of veteran campaigners Del Martin, 87, and Phyllis Lyon, 83, who exchanged vows after 56 years together.
Among those due to obtain a marriage license on Tuesday, were "Star Trek" star George Takei, who is planning to wed his long-time partner Brad Altman.
Takei, 71, known to millions of fans as Mr. Sulu, was due to receive his license in the Los Angeles district of West Hollywood, although the actor has said he does not plan to marry until September.
West Hollywood officials were to conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8.30 am to mark the start of licenses being issued in the gay enclave.
Opponents of same-sex marriage are seeking to force the issue back onto the agenda and have succeeded in adding a proposition to November 4 election ballot papers calling for gay weddings to be banned once more.
