The decision was coming, but no one knew when. Would it be today? Monday? Maybe the Supreme Court was having trouble coming to a final ruling, and would issue it in July?

Turns out, Friday was the day.

Just after 10 am, emails starting pinging and breaking news alerts dinging. The Supreme Court ruled gay couples have a right to marry in all 50 states. Georgia probate courts, which issue marriage licences, said they would be prepared. Now came the acid test. Were they ready?

THE STATE'S LARGEST COUNTY (AND LIKELY THE FIRST)

Fulton County officials were eager to marry gay couples, should the court rule in their favor. County Chairman John Eaves had been talking up preparation for weeks.

The state's first same-sex marriage was likely carried out in Judge Jane Morrison's courtroom in Downtown Atlanta, around 11:10 am. Petrine Bloodworth and Emma Foulkes, in a relationship for ten years, finally tied the knot.

"I pronounce you wife and wife, legal spouses, fully married, under law," Judge Morrison said to a smattering a of applause as journalists swarmed around the couple.

Those words capped a whirlwind morning, and weeks of anticipation. Foulkes says it was worth to wait, to be married in the state she calls home.

"What happened today was so historical and for our family to be legally recognized in the United States, this is such an incredible day," she said to a gaggle of reporters after the ceremony.

Couples soon started lining up at the probate judge's office. A clerk brought out a fresh sheet of gender-neutral applications, which now say "applicant one" and "applicant two." Later in the afternoon, there was a mass wedding in the chamber where the Fulton County Commission holds its meetings.

A SLOWER RESPONSE ELSEWHERE

While a mass wedding was underway in Atlanta, reaction to the Supreme Court ruling was muted in Macon-Bibb County.

It wasn't until two and half hours after the ruling was public that Lauren and Paige Hightower, parents for seven years and partners for eleven, were quietly announced as partners in marriage.

Only one other couple was waiting for a license after the Hightowers. Other celebrations were planned at various churches around the county for later in the evening.

Savannah's first gay wedding happened around Noon. Christie and Kindra Baer have been together for 13 years and have two children. After hearing the probate judge finally declare them legally married, Kindra says she felt two things.

"Relief, relief."

And honored that Christie agreed to be her wife.

"That's why I teared up a little bit," said Kindra.

She dressed in a black suit that looked tailored to her tall frame. Christie wore a form fitting sparkling white gown.

Throughout their relationship the couple faced multiple legal challenges because they couldn't get married. Christie was not legally allowed to adopt Kindra's daughter.

"It's very stressful to be in a relationship and know that at any point and time if you break up this child who you have raised as your own could be taken away from you," Christie explained.

They say it feels good to have the law on their side.

The first same-sex wedding in Columbus happened around 4:30 pm. As of Friday evening, Augusta-Richmond County has yet to issue a marriage license to a gay couple. The probate judge in Albany says it will be next week before licenses are updated to include gender-neutral language.

"We could still issue a license at this point to a same sex couple, but we would have to ask them to tell us which one was the bride and which one was the groom because that is how the form is set out," Judge Nancy Stephenson said.

SETTLED IN COURT, BUT NOT IN THE POLITICAL ARENA

State Senator Josh McKoon, a Republican from Columbus, says he believes states should decide whether to allow same--sex marriage.

He told GPB's Bill Nigut that the Supreme Court ruling allowing same--sex marriage in all 50 states will lead to a rash of counter legislation in the Georgia General Assembly.

"Today's decision creates a whole new universe of potential attacks on religious liberty," he said

McKoon introduced the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in the last legislative session. It failed to pass, after opponents said it would allow businesses to discriminate against the LGBT community. The bill will likely come up again next year.

Other GOP leaders were more guarded in their comments.

Attorney General Sam Olens, who defended Georgia's gay marriage ban, quickly instructed government agencies to comply with the Supreme Court's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.

"Once the Supreme Court has ruled, its order is the law of the land," Olens said in a statement. "As such, Georgia will follow the law and adhere to the ruling of the court."

Gov. Nathan Deal echoed that Georgia would follow federal law.

"While I believe that this issue should be decided by the states and by legislatures, not the federal judiciary, I also believe in the rule of law," he said in a statement.

Across the board, Democrats were jubilant.

"It's goodbye to inequality...and a victory for love - and for families," Sen. Elena Parent of DeKalb County wrote on Twitter.

In a statement, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said, "Atlantans have long worked to create a just and inclusive society. We have a proud history of upholding human rights and providing equal opportunity to all people. That history is rooted in the knowledge that our diversity makes our city stronger."

FOR LGBT ACTIVISTS, THE FIGHT CONTINUES

To celebrate the marriage ruling, LGBT rights group Georgia Equality held rallies in Downtown Atlanta and elsewhere Friday afternoon. Georgia and many other states still lack legal protections for LGBT people, in areas such as employment and housing.

"Tomorrow we get back to work. Well, maybe not tomorrow. Maybe it could wait until Monday," attorney Beth Littrell joked to a large crowd gathered at Atlanta's Center for Civil and Human Rights. Littrell works for Lambda Legal, which challenged Georgia's same-sex marriage ban in federal court. "But when we do, we'll work for protections for LGBT people and workplace, and fairness for people living with HIV, for LGBT youth in schools and to get them off the street and for equality and justice for our transgender brothers and sisters."

Rene Moore and Jennifer Brewster of Canton got married last year in another state. For them, June 26, 2015 will be a day they never forget.

"As soon as the decision came down, I ran outside, cried, and called her because it was just...I never thought I'd see it," Moore said.

This story includes contributions from GPB's Rickey Bevington, Grant Blankenship, Michael Caputo, Jessica Forkel, Bradley George, Keocia Howard, Emily Jones, Sarah McCammon, Bill Nigut, Sean Powers, Ellen Reinhardt, and Gabrielle Ware. Material from the Associated Press was also used in this story.

Tags: same-sex marriage, LGBT