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Rachel Baker and Christine Tulley

When Rachel Baker and Christine Tulley arrived at the Manhattan Courthouse at 6 a.m., there was already a line. The two travelled from Long Island to wed in TriBeCa, Ms. Baker's old neighborhood.

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Meet Rachel and Christine

Rachel and Christine have been dating for almost six years, and talking about marriage for the past two. "One June 24, it wasn't so much an engagement day," said Ms. Tulley. "We knew that as soon as we were able, we'd get married." Many of their same-sex friends wed in surrounding states, such as Massachusetts, years ago. "I'm happy we can do it at home," said Ms. Baker.

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Rachel and Christine with their lottery number, C732

For upwards of an hour, Christine, Rachel, and their crew (a group of 6) monitored a nearby announcement screen that broadcast randomly chosen numbers, signaling a couple's opportunity to attain their marriage license.

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Watching the screen, waiting for their licenses

Ms. Baker and Ms. Tulley had set a deadline for their marriage, declaring that if by the end of their fifth year together marriage equality was still not law in New York State, they’d travel elsewhere to wed. “It just so happened that it became legal during our fifth year together, and we get to share this day with our family in our home state,” said Ms. Baker.

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The magic number

When C732 flashed on the large screens, Ms. Tulley, Ms. Baker, and their gang couldn't control their excitement. With hoots and hollers and congratulatory hugs from complete strangers, they approached the clerk's desk to fill out necessary paperwork, on the road to making their union legally recognized.

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Finishing touches

They checked and double-checked the spellings of their names, their address, and other information. Everything seemed in order. Ms. Tulley and Ms. Baker held hands, looking at each other longingly from time to time. Their eyes welled up as they signed documents.

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It's in the books!

...and then more waiting, this time for a chapel to become available. Ms. Tulley and Ms. Baker opted for a full ceremony on Sunday, as opposed to licences alone. With their licences approved and thier number up, they were shown into East Chapel.

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Christine and Rachel during ceremony, Justice Wooten presiding

The ceremony chapel was a neatly appointed space, with a three-panel floral painting adorning the wall behind the podium, where Justice Paul Wooten stood waiting for Rachel and Christine.

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The first day of the rest of their lives

“Here we go…,” sang a family member while juggling digital cameras, snapping photos from almost every conceivable angle. Ms. Tulley and Ms. Baker entered the room hand-in-hand. Wearing her deceased mother’s turquoise earrings as both ‘something old’ and ‘something blue’, Ms. Tulley staved off tears of joy at the final realization of years of struggle.

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Christine and Rachel sign thier marriage certificates

Christine and Rachel sign their marriage certificates, the culmination of years of waiting. With familial support all around them, they entered into a new life together, one recognized by the state of New York. The two plan to hold a formal reception in October for family and friends.

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Rachel, Christine, and Justice Wooten

Manhattan Justice Paul Wooten recited the womens' prepared vows to a tearful Ms. Tulley and Ms. Baker, and an equally weepy host of witnesses. “It’s my first day doing weddings! It’s a heck of a first day,” he admitted, offering a sigh.

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Leaving the courthouse

Shortly thereafter, Ms. Tulley and Ms. Baker were pronounced married, and the two all but skipped out of the courthouse shortly after noon, cheered on by supporters and well-wishers at the exit, as legally married spouses.

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Newlyweds!

“We haven’t thought about calling each other ‘wife,’” said Mrs. Tulley. “Partner feels so natural, we’ve been saying it for so long,” Mrs. Baker chimed in. “But now we can call each other ‘wife’ if we want. That’s what this is all about. Being legally able to do what we wanted to do.”

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Wedding Park, donated by The Knot