As the clock struck midnight and the electronic calendars rolled forwards a day to the 28th March 2014 Caroline Elliott typed out a text and sent it to its recipient. 'I can legally marry you today, and there's absolutely nothing a single person can do about it. C xx' Slipping the phone back onto the bedside table, Caroline rolled over and snuggled under the duvet trying desperately to get some sleep.

Several miles away across town Kate's phone buzzed as the message pinged into her inbox. Opening her weary eyes and reading the words she couldn't help but smile to herself. No matter how much time they spent together the minute she was away from that beautiful woman her body ached to be in her presence once more. 'I can finally make an honest woman of you! I love you. Kate xx' replied the sleepy lady before also turning in for the night.

The two women met in the middle of the venue, both nervous but excited for the events that were about to take place. Caroline took hold of Kate's hands and squeezed them like she had done many times before. The older woman then leant forwards and whispered into her lady's ear 'You look beautiful.' A smile crept onto Kate's face 'You look stunning' was her response before turning to face the registrar.

'I welcome you all here today to witness the marriage between Caroline Elliott and Kate McKenzie' announced the far older woman. It was, undoubtedly, a strange turn of wording for her. This would be the first legally binding same sex marriage she would perform. The usual prayers and songs were sung. Both women had notably married before, to men, but this time it was different. It felt different. It felt right.

First it was Caroline's turn to make her vows

'I, Caroline Elliott, take you, Kate Mckenzie
to be my wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part'

Whom was then followed by Kate

'I, Kate McKenzie, take you, Caroline Elliott
to be my wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part'

Once the rings had been blessed the giving of rings commenced.

'Kate, I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you'

'Caroline, I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you'

As the pair let go of each other's hands, but still facing one another, the Registrar said her final words. 'Before this congregation, Caroline and Kate have given their consent and make their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are married'

The room of guests erupted into cheers and clapping and the two women locked lips and kissed passionately in front of family and friends. They stood in the same position Celia and Alan had stood just months previously when announced as man and wife.

William tapped the side of his champagne glass with the spoon he held in the opposite hand. As the room quietened and all eyes turned on him the matured young adult straightened his tie.

'I'll try not to take up too much of your time.' he started, nervously 'Firstly I would like to thank you all for coming today and making the whole thing so special for Mum and Kate. It's been a very long time since I've seen my mum smile with such ease and comfort, or be properly true to herself. You all know what a magnificent woman she is, and as her son all I want is for her to be happy and I know being with Kate achieves that. Laurence and I would like to openly welcome Kate into our loud and sometimes mad family, as well as our soon to be baby sister. So if you would be so kind, please raise your glasses; to Mum and Kate' he finished as everybody followed his request and lifted their filled champagne glasses into the air.

Celia then took to standing up as William seated himself down once again. Caroline and Kate looked at each other, a light of fear in their eyes. 'It's alright you pair, I'm on my best behaviour!' the elderly lady insisted having witnessed the pair looking a little concerned. 'I'll admit I reacted rather badly to the news that my Caroline had fallen in love with another woman. It's something I'm not proud of and deeply regret because over the past few months I have seen my beautiful, intelligent and caring daughter flourish past my wildest dreams with Kate by her side. And with the new addition expected within the Elliott-Mckenzie family any day now I know the life they have built together with the boys will continue to grow. So Kate, thank you' her words were said with such love and meaning that even Caroline struggled to maintain her composure. Her mum's blessing was all she had ever wanted.

The final family member to stand up was Kate's mother. It was only right that someone from the younger woman's family said a few words. 'Over the years I've seen Kate change, only small amounts at a time, but none the less she changed. But now she's so happily in love with Caroline and expecting their first child together the light in her eyes has reignited. Her excitement for life has returned and I can only put that down to her new Wife's presence. In a matter of months I've become a grandmother to two grown boys, a mother-in-law and gained a wealth of extended family. Only now do I realise what real love is; seeing my daughter so content'