Marriages Begin In Rhode Island

Dozens of couples married in Minnesota last night at the stroke of midnight, but it appears that Rhode Island's marriages just started this morning.

Officials around Rhode Island began issuing licenses when offices opened at 8:30 a.m., including in Newport. A couple that have been together for 41 years, Federico Santi and John Gacher, arrived first thing at the Newport clerk's office. They had previously been joined in a civil union, so they were immediately married after getting their license. Newport City Clerk Kathleen Silvia calls Thursday, in her words, "a day of smooching" in Rhode Island.

RELATED: Four members of Westboro Baptist Church are hopping around Rhode Island this morning for protests at various civic venues. Counter-protesters are matching their every move.