Gay and lesbian couples began marrying in six states on Monday shortly after the Supreme Court declined to hear appeals in cases challenging marriage bans in Utah, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Virginia.

Mary Bishop and Sharon Baldwin filed a lawsuit challenging Oklahoma's ban shortly after it was approved in 2004. The women exchanged vows on the steps of the Tulsa County Courthouse.

“It's a great day to be gay in Oklahoma,” Baldwin said following the wedding. “It's an even better day to be married.”

Plaintiff couples involved in Virginia's case were among those celebrating in the state.

Alan Bostic and Tony London were the first gay couple to receive a marriage license in Norfolk. The couple said they would hold a ceremony at a later date. In receiving their license from Clerk George Schaefer, London reportedly said, “It was a pleasure suing you,” and Schaefer replied, “I enjoyed being sued.”

Plaintiff couple Carol Schall and Mary Townley, who wanted their California marriage recognized by Virginia, held a “recommitment” ceremony outside the Richmond courthouse. The women, together nearly 30 years, are raising a 16-year-old daughter.

Erika Turner and Jennifer Melsop (pictured) were the first couple to marry in Arlington. The women said they were planning to wed in August.

In Utah, gay couples began marrying less than an hour after the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a stay on its ruling declaring the state's ban invalid, around 11 AM.

Plaintiff couple Derek Kitchen and Moudi Sbeity, who married in December after a federal judge first struck down Utah's ban, said at a news conference that they were “thrilled” with the news.

Only several counties in Wisconsin and Indiana began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples on Monday, citing the need to wait for the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal in Chicago to issue a mandate.

Republican Governor Scott Walker declared the fight over.

“For us, it's over in Wisconsin,” he's quoted as saying by the AP. “The federal courts have ruled that this decision by this court of appeals is the law of the land and we will be upholding it.”

At least one county in Colorado, which is under the jurisdiction of the Tenth Circuit, began issuing marriage licenses to gay couples following the high court's action.

Pueblo County Clerk and Recorder Gilbert Ortiz announced his decision on Twitter.

(Related: Colorado AG John Suthers orders clerks to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.)